It's almost that time of year again. With the chill of November settling upon the campus, indoor sports are swinging into full gear. The fan favorite of these sports, college hoops, is getting underway, and the season holds many opportunities to a group of young women hungry to make it to the top.
The women's basketball program plans to aim high this year and leave it all on the court. With a group that includes experienced, savvy seniors and enthusiastic, young freshmen, the Bulls begin the 2007-2008 season with one goal in mind: win the Mid-American Conference title.
Senior guard Stephanie Bennett has been preparing for this for four years, and in her third year as captain, understands what her team needs to do to reach their potential.
"Our number one team goal this year is to win the MAC championship and learn to play together," Bennett said, emphasizing the confidence in her team. "I just think all of us as a team have done a really good job. Everybody on the team is holding each other accountable."
Head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald sees the positive attitudes brimming from her players going into this season and is equally confident in their chances.
"They all are very confident in their ability to get to a MAC championship," Hill-MacDonald said. "I think they are very confident that they can play together well enough and keep the chemistry strong and do the things they need to do to reach that goal."
The Bulls are returning many players from previous seasons. They are hoping that this will lead to greater team chemistry, which is key for a strong run to a championship.
"Our chemistry is so good this year," Hill-MacDonald said. "I think it's something that's been growing for the past three seasons and there's a comfort level now."
The feeling is mutual among her players as well. Bennett carries the same mind-set from her experience with her teammates out on the court.
"The chemistry here is something I've never really felt before," Bennett said. "Everybody gets along with each other and we can laugh, we can joke on and off the court. I think that in turn it is going to help us when we get into a game because nobody is going to be able to step into our family."
This family certainly seems unshakable in the early stages of the season, but their courageous demeanor has been earned over the course of the off-season to improve from last year.
"I think physically we are in a lot better shape," Bennett said. "Everybody's stronger, everybody's quicker, and our freshmen have been great, they've really bumped up our competitive level in practice."
Hill-MacDonald cites her captain's contributions as another source of improvement among her players as well.
"They are in the position to be captains because they lead by deed very well," Hill-MacDonald said. "They walk the walk, they know what needs to be done and they show by example to the teammates what hard work is and what it takes to be at the top of their games."
Among the rivals the Bulls will be facing, Hill-MacDonald cites the contest against the Kent State Golden Flashes as being one to watch for on the schedule. However, Bennett points out nobody can be overlooked.
"In the MAC conference, everybody's a rival, because everybody wants that win," Bennett said.
The Bulls' season officially begins Nov.11 at Alumni Arena against Youngstown State. While the Bulls hope to start the season off on a high note, Hill-MacDonald cites the need for support of her young squad.
"I just hope people come out to watch us play, it's going to be an exciting team to watch this season," Hill-MacDonald said.
From an early season view, it looks like excitement is certainly in store.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
