Lady Cavs look to repeat championship

by Stephanie Masucci assistant A&E editor

The sound of basketballs beating the freshly mopped court can be heard from a distance.

The echo of teammates encouraging each other to push hard and dig deep permeates the air.

It is the sound of dedication, hard work and success.

The 1999/2000 women's basketball team has been practicing for weeks now. With a few games under their belt they are now coming together like the championship team they are accustomed to.being.

With a win against the rival team across the street they have high hopes for the season.

"It was a good game. Eastern has been good in the past so we made sure we were prepared to play our hardest," junior Lisa Reynolds explained.

Success has been following this team for a few years now. Winning the PAC championship last year and going on to the NCAA tournament was a great accomplishment for this team.

Going to the NCAAs marked the fourth time in five years that the women went into post-season play.

They have high hopes for this upcoming season.

"We would like to win the PAC championship and win the NCAA tournament this year," Reynolds said. "We definitely have what it takes."

With seven new first-year students on the court this year, the girls hope to keep the tradition going.

"We're a young group. Once we're in sync we'll be unstoppable," junior Gina Virelli said.

As with all teams, the beginning of a season can be tough. The photo by Jim Snook

Junior Lisa Reynolds is very confident about the upcoming season for the Lady Cavs. She hopes for another PAC championship and another trip to the NCAA tournament girls are getting used to each other and they feel that things are looking up.

"Right now we're looking for the right combination. Everyone's doing everything right but we just need to find that tight fit," Vrrelli said.

First-year student Erin Brooks and Maureen Lynch have been complimented on their great contributions to the team.

'The freshmen are all really good. They are all around players, and it's nice seeing what they all have to offer," Virelli said.

The girls know that this success will not come easily. With tough teams growing in the PAC it will take all their skill to make it to post-season play.

The girls lost to GwyneddMercy College last week, but this has only given them the drive to brutally defeat them in the future.

"Hopefully we will meet them again. I would like to play them in the championship game," Reynolds said.

•·we are definitely looking forward to meeting Gwynedd again,"Virelli said agreeing with Reynolds.

This team's optimism and hard work will put them above the rest of the PAC this season. They are thankful for their fans and they encourage everyone to come and watch their games. Schedules can be found at the sign-in desk at the Dixon Center.