@LadySabreH oops BASKETBALL NOTES
T
GAME 12-14: ALVERNO/WLC/ROCKFORD
2013-14 Season Preview
he 2013-14 season presents a fresh start for the Marian
University women’s basketball team as a host of
veteran returners look to guide a team loaded with nine
newcomers eager to get the program back to the Northern
Athletics Collegiate Conference tournament for the third time
in four years.
Head Coach Bill Peters, who enters his fourth season
at the helm, was accustomed to making the postseason
after averaging 14 wins in his first two seasons at his alma
mater. Last year was a different story, however, as the Sabres
stumbled to a four-win campaign with a squad that lacked size
and depth.
This year, those issues have been addressed and there’s an
added motivation to get back to where Peters and his leaders
believe the program belongs.
“I expect to get back to the conference tournament, Peters
”
said. “To be .500 and battling for one of the top-eight seeds is
our baseline goal.
”
Three players that started all 25 games last year return to a
lineup that now features more size, depth and overall balance
that the squad lacked. Senior Dani Huray (Little Chute, Wis./
Little Chute), who tied a school record with 123 assists last
season, will share team captain responsibilities with fellow
seniors Sarah Albert (Howards Grove, Wis./Howards Grove)
and Kelsey Moore (Sister Bay, Wis./Gibraltar), as well as,
junior Amelia Mirsberger (New Holstein, Wis./New Holstein).
Huray
leads
a
backcourt that features
a host of ball handlers,
which proves more
important this year
with the newly added
10-second
backcourt
rule. A great distributor
in her own right, Huray
won’t be relied on as
heavily as the team’s
point
guard
with
the new addition of
junior-transfer Sarah
Olewinski (Waukesha,
Wis./Pewaukee), who
is coming off two very
productive seasons at
UW-Waukesha where
Pictured: Dani Huray makes a pass in the she
averaged over
team’s 2012-13 season opening, 64-60, win at 16 points per game a
Lawrence back on Nov. 15.
season ago.
“She has already
emerged as the floor leader for our team, Peters said of
”
Olewinski. “She has the characteristics of a true point guard as
she is able to push the ball well, while spreading the floor and
scoring when she needs to.
”
Albert is just two years removed from leading the nation
in all divisions and NAIA after posting a 49.6 shooting percent
from three-point range. Last season, she turned in a respectable
42.4-clip, while leading the team in rebounding and finishing
second in scoring at 11.6 points per game. The lack of depth
forced her to play more than 37 minutes per game, which will
tire any shooter out.
“Defenses will continue to key on her as she is one of the
best three-point shooters in the conference, Peters said. “Our
”
added depth to the position will also cut down on her minutes
and allow her to be a more dangerous shooter by keeping her
legs fresh throughout the season.
”
An emerging leader on the squad, Mirsberger, who will
relinquish her point guard duties in 2013-14 and instead focus
on her much-improved outside shot, received much praise
from Peters.
“Anytime you have an upperclassman who has been in the
system for two years already, it’s a huge asset to have, Peters
”
said. “She’s accepted the role well, leading by example like
she always has, while also becoming a vocal presence when
needed.
”
Providing depth at the two off-guard positions will be a
host of newcomers, including Nicole Paulus (Belgium, Wis./
Rando