YSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Hill expects team to be in hunt for title

Her "new look" Penguins are expected to be quicker, faster and better shooters.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State women's basketball coach Tisha Hill isn't worrying about the four starters she lost to graduation from a year ago.
Instead, Hill is excited about the upcoming season and her "new look" Penguins, who are expected to be quicker and faster and, she hopes, a lot of fun to watch.
The four starters who are gone-- Jen Perugini, Barb Fabianova, Tara Fleming and Cathy Hanek -- accounted for over 40 points and 20 rebounds per game.
But Hill feels that she has players this year who will shoot a lot better, run a lot faster and play even better defense.
In Hill's first season in 2003-04, the Penguins struggled to a 4-24 record and finished last in the Horizon League.
Last season, the Penguins improved to 12-16 overall and finished in sixth place (6-10) in the Horizon. This year Hill expects the Penguins to be in the hunt for the league title.
Seven veterans back
The Penguins have seven returning players from last year and seven new additions to the roster.
"We are going to be a faster team this season," Hill said. "Our speed and athleticism has increased and that will serve us well in a more up-tempo-style of play."
Although Hill is excited about the new additions to the team, she is aware of the hurdles facing a young squad.
"This is an exciting young group of players and instilling our systems will be a challenge because of so many new faces," she added. "But fortunately we have a good nucleus returning to help them make the necessary adjustments."
The Penguins return four players with varsity experience -- seniors Ashlee Russo (5-foot-7 guard from Boardman) and Michelle Holmes (6-2 center from Cincinnati), junior Kristy Gaudiose (5-7 guard from Poland) and sophomore Lauren Branson (5-6 guard from Cincinnati).
The other returnees are senior Allyah Sabree and sophomores Jessica Schloemp and My'Kea Cohill.
Seven newcomers
Hill brought in six freshmen and a junior during recruiting.
The junior is 5-9 guard Kira Mowen from Waynesburg, Pa., a transfer from Illinois who must sit out this season.
The six freshmen are Farrell, Pa., High grad Ashley Pendelton (6-0 forward), 5-8 guard Monique Godfrey (South Euclid Regina), 6-2 center Nikita LaFleur (Scarborough, Ont.), 5-8 guard Toni Roscoe (Pittsburgh), 6-2 forward Megan Snorf (Dayton) and 5-8 guard Velissa Vaughn (Clariton, Pa.).
"The thing about losing four starters is that the competition is wide open for the starting spots this season and they all seem to be really into that battle," Hill said.
Hill has been impressed with the play inside of Holmes, who saw considerable action a year ago.
"Michelle has been a dominant factor in the post and we are expecting big things from her this year," Hill said. "We expect to be shooting a lot more from the perimeter, but we will also being going inside too."
Practice begins Friday
The Penguins officially begin workouts Friday and they will hold an exhibition contest Nov. 12 against the Ohio Legends at Beeghly Center at 5:05 p.m.
The season officially begins with four straight games on the road. The opener is Nov. 18 at Robert Morris, followed by Ohio University Nov. 22. The Penguins will then take part in the Indiana University tournament Nov. 25-26 where they will meet the Hoosiers in the opening round. The other teams in the tournament are Bowling Green and IUPUI.
Hill, who played and graduated from Indiana, is excited about returning to her alma mater.
"They chose to play us in the first round which tells you something, but we'd like nothing better than to go up there and knock off the Hoosiers," she said.
mollica@vindy.com