“Collective Glory” is the Mantra for the Women’s Basketball 2009-10 Season

CHICOPEE, MA - For the Elms College women’s basketball team, the 2009-10 season will be about dedication and teamwork with an underlying theme of “collective glory.”

“I think we all have a desire to enjoy the season, work hard and walk off the court doing the best we can,” said eighth-year head coach Laura Habacker. “This group, and I say that meaning coaches as well, just really get along. They help each other out on and off the court. They may be that unique group that can truly celebrate someone else’s accomplishments. They seem to have a ‘collective glory’ mentality. They will be happy when someone else does well but they also know that they have to contribute for us to do well.”

The Blazers will take the court with a wealth of experience, returning three seniors, and five sophomores from last year’s squad that earned a spot in the inaugural New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship tournament semifinals. Senior Annie Dunnack (Mansfield Center, CT) returns to the lineup after a year off and newcomer Jen Normandie (Westford, MA) rounds out the 10-player squad.

Another familiar face will grace the sidelines this season – Michelle Fernandes – who returns to Picknelly Arena as a volunteer assistant coach after graduating from Elms in 2008.

“The addition of Michelle as an assistant coach is a great one for us,” Coach Habacker said of her former point guard. “I think any time you have a former player who wants to come back and help it speaks volumes. To have two assistant coaches who went to Elms is a great thing; they both know the school well, have both done well after school, and have both chosen to come back. I am very excited about the dynamic of the three of us.”

FRONTCOURT

Though small in number, the Elms front court provides size, power and experience and will be a thorn in the side for many Blazers’ opponents this winter.

Two seniors anchor the unit: Amanda Brogna (Oxford, MA) and Erin Hutchinson (Groton, MA).

Five-foot-10 Brogna, Elms’ leading scorer in each of the last two seasons, and 5-8 Hutchinson, who is the vocal leader of the Blazers, combined for 586 points last season.

“Amanda leads by example,” Coach Habacker stated. “She is a workhorse in the post, rebounds well at both ends of the floor and truly wants do whatever she can to help our team win. She is always talking to teammates and pulling them aside. Erin is very vocal, has great energy and truly is the heart of our team.”

Maryanne Overmyer (Mattapoisett, MA) will miss much of the season due to injury and the team hopes she can be back at some point during the second semester.

BACKCOURT

In 2009-10, there will be no lack of depth at the guard position. Six players from last season’s squad will suit up for the Blazers in addition to the return of Dunnack.

The group comprises a senior, four sophomores, and a freshman.

Sophomore Carolyn Talmadge (Wilbraham, MA) is a key to the success of the team. She scored 251 points in 2008-09, averaging 9.3 per game and connected with teammates for 121 assists in her debut season. She returns as the starting point guard and can also run the wing if need be.

“She is great with the ball and sees the court very well,” Coach Habacker explained. “I think her teammates are getting that they need to keep an eye on her – passes come, and now they are more ready for them. She can also score which makes her even tougher to guard.”

Senior Jessica Jurkowski (Belchertown, MA), a key rebounder for the Blazers a year ago (131), will provide versatility to the backcourt unit.

“She can play outside and inside, she defends very well and she can run the floor,” said Coach Habacker. “Jess does not say a ton but when she does people listen.”

Dunnack’s return will make for a welcomed addition to the squad.

“Annie has a very high basketball IQ. She knows how to defend and she can shoot,” Coach Habacker noted. “She is a natural leader but she can also follow a lead and not have an ego issue with that.”

Elms’ overall depth will undoubtedly prove to be beneficial this season. With the return of sophomores Christina Korney (Feeding Hills, MA), Katie Condon (Sandy Hook, CT), Brooke Miller (West Warwick, RI) and Normandie, the Blazers will pack a mighty punch that excites Coach Habacker.

“Katie adds great energy to our team. She is very positive, works very hard and understands what she does well and what she needs to work on,” Coach Habacker explained. “Christina is a lock down defender who is a tremendous athlete. Once she becomes as confident in her scoring ability as I am, she will be a key player on this team. She could be the hardest worker on this team and that really says a lot.”

Korney started all 27 games last season and provided 27 steals, while Condon scored 145 points and connected on 13 three-pointers.

“Brooke is coming into this season way ahead of last year. She is stronger, more fit and much more confident than she was at this point last year. If she continues to develop at this pace she will really help us,” Coach Habacker noted. “Jen is from a great high school program. She has played with very good players and against very good players. She is capable of many things on offense and also has a tremendous feel for the game. She is a gym rat through and through and is going to be fun to watch.”

SCHEDULE

Elms will begin its 2009-10 campaign with the Blazers Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 20-21 before traveling to Smith (Nov. 24) for a local showdown before the Thanksgiving holiday. The Blazers will continue its local tour with games at Western New England College (WNEC) on Dec. 1 and Westfield State (Dec. 5) before closing out first-semester action at home against Nichols (Dec. 9) and Castleton (Dec. 12).

“WNEC and Smith are certainly games that spark emotions,” Coach Habacker noted. “WNEC has had our number for a few years; I know that does not sit too well with our team. Smith has been a fun game for us, usually close (has come down to the wire the last few years). Westfield is also a game we look forward to playing. There are always players on both teams that know each other and I think that is a game that brings out the best in both teams.”

The Blazers begin the second semester portion of their schedule at the Wheaton College New Year’s Tournament on Jan. 2-3 to conclude their non-conference slate.

Six of the following nine games will be played on the road against New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) opponents in the month of January. Elms will host Bay Path on Jan. 12, Newbury on Jan. 21, and Becker on Jan. 30 to break up its road trips.

The squad returns to the friendly confines of Picknelly Arena for most of February, as five of the team’s seven games during the month will be played at home. The Blazers will open up the final month of regular season action at Mitchell (Feb. 4) before hosting five straight games against Daniel Webster (Feb. 6), Southern Vermont (Feb. 9), Lesley (Feb. 11), Mitchell (Feb. 13) and Wheelock on Feb. 18. The Feb. 20 meeting with Bay Path will also be played at Picknelly Arena, with the Wildcats slated as the home team on the scoreboard. Feb. 23 marks the start of the 2009-10 NECC Championship tournament.

“I am thrilled we end the season at home,” Coach Habacker stated. “That has not happened in a few years. I like that mostly for our seniors so we can truly celebrate their years here.”

WRAP UP

For the women’s basketball team, their strength will be unity and experience. This group has had a taste of success and will look to build off that and take it one step further this season.

As Coach Habacker noted, being at home to close out the season could prove to be very beneficial.

“Being at home in February is always good I think. Better routine, better travel (or lack thereof), and just as they say, ‘there is no place like the Blazer Dome’!”