Shannon Keoughm plans to continue claiming conferences yet again this year.
The newly promoted head coach, Kate Pearson, has seen what the women’s basketball team is capable of at Cabrini. Pearson has been an assistant coach of the team for five years and will be assuming the head coaching position this season.
“Expectations from other schools are that we lost a lot of good players and a lot of experience,” Pearson said. “My hopes are that we maintain our status as the team to beat.”
Pearson said that although they lost eight solid senior players, the seniors who do remain have a lot of practice of the game. Pearson named Deana DiAmico, Alyssa Brady and Kate Walck as three promising seniors who are all guards.
Laura Caron, sophomore elementary and special education major, also feels confident in the team’s offensive players.
“I think we’ll do well pushing the ball up the court and playing at a fast pace,” Caron said. “Our guards are expected to do exceptionally well this season.”
Many of the starters do not match the mold of a stereo-typical tall basketball player.
However, freshman elementary education major Melissa Kudzmas gives the team what Pearson would call “inside presence.” Her height adds to the dimension of the women on the court and assists the team with a lot of inside support on the defensive end.
“Our starting lineup is very athletic, not so much tall,” Pearson said. “So we have to outplay and outhustle our opponents every single game.”
As far as the team’s strategy, Kudzmas feels success comes from everyone playing their A-game every game.
“Communication and picking each other up, coach says those themes are going to be a big part of our season this year,” Kudzmas said.
Brittany Newcomer, freshman marketing major, has her own expectations of the season.
“I’m new and coming into a team that has done very well the past two seasons,” Newcomer said. “I hope to learn what I can do to help contribute to the team’s success.”
No stranger to the team is senior elementary education major Alyssa Brady. Brady believes the expectations of this year’s team is no different than previous years. Their goal is to ultimately claim the title of the CSAC champions.
“We have a whole new identity and we have to make a statement early on in the season,” Brady said. “Although we are a team of new faces we’re working just as hard to regain our status.”
Coach Pearson anticipates making it to the playoffs. She is confident in the team’s talent, regardless of the team’s numbers. This season the team has grown smaller and is what Pearson would say “not as deep” as in previous seasons.
The team has been, for 20 plus seasons, a playoff team. It is clear that the thirst for continuous victory remains on the Cavaliers’ court.
“We have three of the best guards in the conference,” Pearson said. “These seniors have been here for the last two championships. They only know being a playoff team. They’re not going to settle for anything less.”
