YSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Positive attitude, solid work ethic have Hill excited

The second-year coach will rely on five seniors to improve on last year's record.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- For Tisha Hill, it's a whole new season as she gets set for her second year as coach of the Youngstown State women's basketball team.
The Penguins will officially begin the 2004-05 season Saturday with their first practice.
"It's a new season, I've got some new faces on my coaching staff and I have a team coming back with a wonderful attitude," Hill said Wednesday.
"This group has worked hard all summer long and they'll be facing a good preseason schedule that hopefully will get them ready for Horizon League play."
Hill's first season was a disappointing one, as the Penguins posted a 4-24 record, including a 2-14 mark in the Horizon League.
"We struggled offensively last season. This summer we concentrated on hard work," said Hill. "I told them to get to know each other better on the court and to just go out and play."
Leadership
Hill hopes for strong leadership this season with five seniors on the roster.
That group includes Cathy Hanek (5-foot-8 guard), who is in her fifth season, along with Jen Perugini (6-2 forward), Tara Fleming (6-3 center), Barb Fabianova (6-0, forward) and Melissa Tarrant (6-0 forward).
"I'm thrilled to have the seniors I have coming back," Hill said. "They and the other returning players all have their roles this year."
The Penguins also have three sophomore guards returning, all of whom played extensively last year -- Ashlee Russo (5-7), Kristy Gaudiose (5-7) and Allyah Sabree (5-8).
Injuries have played a big role in the Penguins' problems the past several seasons, but Hill is hoping that all changes this season.
Hanek, a former Ursuline High standout, had surgery on a broken bone in her foot over the summer and was cleared to begin practice earlier this week.
Junior Nicole Neila (6-2 center) is still bothered by a back injury and junior Michelle Holmes (6-2 center) also had surgery over the summer and is just rounding into shape.
Russo, a former Boardman High standout, has had ankle problems each of the last two seasons. She missed most of her freshman year and was redshirted.
She and Perugini, the Horizon League's newcomer of the year as a freshman, are both going to have to play through their injuries, said Hill.
Looking ahead
Perugini is looking forward to her senior year.
"I'm just going to go out and play as hard as I can for as long as I can," she said. "After this season I'll have a lot of time to rest it.
"We had a great summer at open gym and we worked very hard and have really come together as a team," she added.
Hanek led the team in scoring last season with a 9.1 per game average and also had 38 3-point goals to lead the team.
Perugini led the team in rebounds per game (5.4), while Gaudiose, a former Poland High standout, led the team in assists per game (3).
The Penguins have an exhibition game scheduled Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. against Premier Sports at Beeghly Center.
They travel to Saint Louis Nov. 19 for the season opener, then return to Beeghly Center for their home opener four days later against Ohio University at 5:15 p.m.