Nov. 20, 2007

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The Lewis University 2007-08 women's basketball team has the task of following the most successful season in school history.

Four-year starters Darcee Schmidt, Mary Moskal, Brittney Diener and Erin Cox, who helped guide the Flyers to a GLVC Championship last season, have all graduated.

But with change comes opportunity. Junior Jenna Mooberry returns as the Flyers' most seasoned veteran with the chance to stamp her identity on the team. Captains senior Jennifer Green and junior Kelly Dianis are now the leaders on and off the court. Sophomore Lauresha Hawkins takes over at the point guard position. Sophomore Kaci Baird and junior Lauren Martens are given the task of commanding the paint. Not to mention the rest of the Flyers have their opportunity for a breakthrough season.

First-year head coach Lisa Carlsen hopes these individual opportunities will lead to the team's success this season.

"We want to get better as individuals and as a unit," Carlsen explains when asked about goals for the season. "We want to be challenging for the top spots in the conference. That needs to be a goal every year for a program that has had success like Lewis has."

Mooberry was a key part of the success Carlsen references. During last season's championship run she played in all 32 games with 20 starts. She has performed on big stages, playing 34 minutes in the GLVC Championship game.

As the Flyers' leading returning scorer, she will be looked to on offense more than she was last season. But Mooberry has shown she is capable of putting up points. At Kentucky Wesleyan last February she scored a career-high 21 points. In three games last season she tied for team high in points.

According to Carlsen, Mooberry's role is going to be much more than a scorer.

"She can shoot the three or shoot off the dribble. She is a great athlete," Carlsen said regarding Mooberry. "But she is going to do a lot of things that don't show up on the stat sheet. She is a quiet leader, someone you can count on to be in the right place at the right time. She is the rock of the team."

Mooberry won't be the only one providing guidance for the Flyers. Green and Dianis will fill this role as well.

Originally from Peru, Green transferred to Lewis from Weatherford College in Texas. Last season she saw action in 28 games recording 86 points. She is the only senior on the team and will be looked to for leadership throughout the season. On the court Green likes to get things going.

"Jennifer is always making something happen," Carlsen said. "She really likes to push the pace."

For the Flyers offense to be successful Dianis will need to be a threat from the outside. Last season she scored in double-figures 12 times and was second on the team in 3-pointers made with 46.

"We will need Kelly to score for us this season. She is intelligent, tough and competitive and just loves to play," Carlsen said. "We need to get the ball in her hands."

Sophomore guard Kelly Monaco can also find the bottom of the net from the outside.

"Kelly can shoot the three, but hit the mid-range jumper too," Carlsen said. "I expect her and Kelly (Dianis) to knock down 3-pointers on a consistent basis. We need to get them open looks."

Junior guard Mandie Morelock is another Flyer with the ability to shoot the ball.

"Mandie may be the best jump shooter on the team," Carlsen said. "She is a good athlete and can also defend an opponent on the perimeter."

Hawkins will guide the Flyers' offense at the point.

"Lauresha is a smart point guard who really understands different situations." Carlsen said. "She is a floor leader who can pressure the basketball in the open court, and we will ask her to do that on a night-to-night basis."

Hawkins will be looking for Martens and Baird down on the blocks to get the Flyers' inside game going.

"From day one of individual workouts Lauren is the player I've been most impressed with," Carlsen said. "She is our best power player in terms of combining power and skill."

"Lauren will be our go-to player on the interior. She is strong and can get things done on the block." Carlsen said. "I expect her to have a great year."

Baird enters the season learning a new position, moving inside after spending 2006-07 mainly at the small forward spot.

"Kaci will be a huge key to our success this season. She has been learning a little bit of a new position and is adjusting well." Carlsen said. "Her success will depend on her ability to score and actively defend."

Also at the forward position are sophomore Jackie Waller and sophomore Amy Smith.

"Jackie is learning a new position as well and is improving," Carlsen said. "She is long and can finish around the basket."

"Amy is an undersized four so she can take bigger players away from the basket and use her versatility," Carlsen said.

Freshman forward Carol Kruckman will likely to see time off the bench for the Flyers.

"Carol is a pure power player, a true post player. She can finish around the basket and really works hard," Carlsen said. "She is strong and will be able to defend the inside for us."

Freshman forward Devon Carbaugh will come in to spell Baird.

"Devon is a versatile player," Carlsen said. "She can penetrate and has good range."

Jenny Turpel and Kady Currin are two freshmen who will come off the bench to help at the guard spot.

"Jenny is long and can take advantage of smaller guards," Carlsen said. "She can finish well and defensively can block some shots."

"What I like most about Kady is that she is tough," Carlsen said. "She is scrappy and works hard everyday. She will be a spark off the bench."

Guard/forward Christine Karl from Lockport Township rounds out the Flyers' freshman class.

"Christine is a great athlete and can be a great defender for us," Carlsen said. "She will continue to get better each day."

Lewis' schedule has them on the road for the majority of the first half of the season with their first home game slated for Dec. 30 against Saginaw Valley State.

"We are on the road a lot but that's not always a bad thing, especially with a young team." Carlsen said. "It gives us a chance to really get to know each other and concentrate on basketball."

The Flyers opened with a split of Lake Superior State and Michigan Tech and will play Grand Valley State in a non-conference game on Saturday.

"Our schedule is certainly challenging," Carlsen said. "We'll take it one at a time and see what happens."

Conference opponents can expect a Lewis team that will push the tempo but still be under control.

"We won't be a run at all costs team, but we definitely want to take advantage of situations when we have numbers," Carlsen said.

The Flyers plan to create those situations with pressure defense.

"We will be successful this season if we defend on a night-to-night basis," Carlsen said. "But everybody has to buy into the system."

The team will need to buy into Carlsen's system but Carlsen is already sold on the opportunity to win at Lewis University.

"There is great support here at Lewis. The administration is committed to providing the resources necessary to win," Carlsen said. "Our athletic teams have proven that Lewis University is one of the top programs in the GLVC as well as the region."