New basketball coaches revitalize Bulldogs

Women's basketball leans on freshmen to rebuild and improve a depleted squard By Alison Morris

Joining Yale this season is new head coach Amy Backus, a graduate of Central Michigan University. Although the team has not yet taken to the court for a regular season game, Backus is making every effort to prove to the Yale community that the Bulldogs won't let them down this year. In an open letter to the University, Backus explained how the team has been preparing for the upcoming season. "We've been practicing to produce an exciting game with an up-tempo style characterized by aggressive pressure defense," Backus said. It is this style of defense that the team hopes will bring improvement this winter.

While the team struggled to keep above water in the Ivy League last year, Backus' goals are nothing short of a championship this season. She believes the team is marked by a "feeling of energy, intensity, and new beginnings" which will lead them in their run for the league title. But in order to do so, the team has to adjust to a variety of changes on the court. Of the team's five starters last year, captain Kelly Denit, DC '00, is the only returning player. The Elis, however, are not fearful of their inexperience this season—they view their youth as a strength. "I'm really excited," Denit said. "We have a young and energetic team this year."

W. Basketball

Recent: 0-0 Coming up: Fri. Nov. 19 vs. Central Connecticut State University, 6 p.m.

Although Denit is the team's only senior, several veterans are ready to step up and join the starting ranks this year. Forward Alyson Miller, JE '01, returns after being sidelined last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The team also boasts Meg Simpson, SY '02, who at 6'0" is one of the team's tallest players and is the squad's defensive stopper. Yet the greatest shoes to fill are at center, where Katy Grubbs, SM '99, led the Elis in scoring and rebounding throughout her entire Yale career. Lily Glick, ES '01, is the No. 1 prospect to take over as the team's next star center. Glick was the team's third highest scorer last season as a sophomore.

With freshmen forward Meghan Houli-han, BR '03, guard Maria Smear, SM '03, and guard Helene Schutrumpf, BK '03, the team is well aware of its need to work vigorously to achieve measurable success in the new season. "This year we are lucky enough to have three really good freshmen who work hard and contribute enormously," Simpson said.

Already practicing daily, these newcomers have no intentions of taking a rest anytime soon. While most Yalies will return to their homes and families next week for a dose of relaxation, the women's basketball team will be spending their vacation time in Atlanta, Ga. They take to the court on Fri., Nov. 26 to challenge Elon and Hofstra in the Georgia Tech Tournament.

Although they haven't faced any regular season challenges yet, the Bulldogs' talented freshmen have already proven their potential in the preseason. Schutrumpf was selected by the Women's Basketball News Service as a first-team all freshmen pick. In addition, Houlihan led the Elis with 20 points and nine rebounds in their first exhibition game against Ilirija, a team from Slovenia, on Sat., Nov. 6. Yale lost the game 84-76, but used the game's second half to showcase their freshmen scoring capabilities.

With so much talk about new beginnings, fresh starts, and energetic youth, the Bulldogs have not forgotten the tough competition that they will face within the Ivy League during the season. "Penn was already selected to be No. 1 in the Ivy League," Denit said. "They're the team to beat this year." Yale will have plenty of time to become comfortable with their new starters by the time they face the Quakers. Their first league game doesn't take place until 2000. They face Harvard in Cambridge on Fri., Jan. 14, and take on the Pennsylvania powerhouse in Philadelphia on Fri., Feb. 4.

On Fri., Nov. 19, the Bulldogs will finally see whether their extensive preseason training has properly prepared them for the coming season when they take on Central Connecticut State at Payne Whitney Gymnasium. "We are looking forward to seeing how all of our hard work in the preseason will pay off when our games actually start," Simpson said. If all goes according to plan, at this time next year the Elis will return to the court as defending league champions, thanks to a host of new talent, a new coach and a refreshingly optimistic perspective.

Photo of Meghan Houlihan, BR '03, by Ewan MacDougall.

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