Nov. 13, 2007

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's basketball season kicks off its 2007-08 season on Thursday, November 15, as they host Bryant College at 7:00 p.m. in Woodruff Hall.

This year marks several milestones for the Adelphi, which not celebrates over 100 years of women's basketball at the institution, but also marks the final season of play in historic Woodruff Hall before moving to the new Recreation and Sport Center. The Panthers are looking to make this season memorable as they strive to win the East Coast Conference (ECC) title and return to the NCAA tournament

"I am honored to be a part of this milestone. There have been so many great coaches and outstanding student-athletes and there is a tremendous history of women's basketball here at Adelphi," Head Coach Kelley Watts said. "The student-athletes love to play in this building. My memories of Woodruff Hall include outstanding crowds of 500 plus watching and cheering from the stands and upper level track. The close games against our rivals have been the most memorable"

In her first two seasons as head coach the Panthers lost just two games on their home floor. "Woodruff Hall to me will always be the best sixth man," Coach Watts explained. "The excitement about the opening of our new facility in the Spring 2008 will benefit recruiting and give Adelphi an opportunity to host other basketball related events, but I will miss Woodruff Hall."

Last season, Adelphi advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time in the three years and earned a bid to the ECAC'S. The goal this year is to capture an ECC title and return to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Adelphi must replace the loss of three-starters: Betty Mendieta, Dana Petersen and Valentina Ionova and will fill the void with three returning seniors and six juniors, three which are transfers.

The Panthers will put a seasoned team on the court every night. "We will use our depth and experienced players to get the job done," Watts stated.

Joining the coaching staff is Ionova, a St. Francis (NY) transfer who spent one season with the Panthers. She led the team in scoring on four occasions averaging 7.6 points per game. "Having Val on the staff is an asset. She is very familiar with my coaching style and expectations," Watts said.

Donna Lohrey returns as Coach Watts' top assistant. "Donna does a terrific job in every aspect of her coaching assignments and relates well to the student-athletes," Watts explained.

Backcourt
Senior Mary Lepore (Manhasset, NY) returns at the guard position, where she can utilize her talents both under the basket and on the perimeter. Lepore ranked second on the team in scoring and rebounding with 10.4 points and 6.4 boards per game and earned all-conference accolades. "We are expecting Mary to be very effective shooting the three-point shot and aggressive pursing rebounds for us this year."

Senior Mary Lepore could be key from beyond the arc.

Junior Co-captain Lisa Manetta (Glendale, N.Y. ) brings added experience to the backcourt having appeared in 29 games last season, including 14 starts, averaging 7.2 points per game. "Lisa will be expected to lead the team and be a three point shooting threat." Watts said. "She has the ability to play the point guard or shooting guard position and will see time at both spots this season."

After appearing in 21 games last season sophomore Jasmine Travers (Gaitersburg, MD) should see more time on the floor due to what Coach Watts sees as incredible growth over the summer, including development of an outside shot. "Jasmine has made tremendous progress with her ball handling and shooting," Watts stated. "We will also look to her to help out on the defensive end where she has always been one of our team's top defenders."

Returning sophomore Hunter Marek ( New Ispwich, NH) made one start in 19 appearances last year. "We moved Hunter away from the post, where she saw a lot of time last season to the guard spot this year. We feel Hunter is an outstanding catch and shoot perimeter guard and we moved her outside to take advantage of that."

Joining the front court are junior transfers Tanya Freeman (Nyack, NY) and Danielle Parks (Galloway, N.J.), who will add depth and experience to this year's team. Freeman is a transfer from Dean College. "Tanya is a very talented and skillful basketball player. She has a lot of natural ability, great quickness, and can create her own shot off the dribble," Watts said. "Her ability to rebound and defend will be a plus for us this season."

Parks, a transfer from Holy Family, should make an immediate impact with her solid ball handling, scoring, and defending. "Danielle is a very consistent shooter who makes good decisions with the basketball and can handle pressure," Watts said. "She has adjusted to our system very well and should be an outstanding player this season."

Freshman Lekesha Harris (St. Albans, NY) rounds out the last of the guards. "Lekesha is a tremendous athlete with outstanding quickness and size, and she learns very quickly." Watts stated. "She has a great feel for the game and she's a skilled left-handed player, who is not afraid to take the shot in a clutch situation."

Frontcourt
Senior co-captain Gianna Smith (Hempstead, NY) returns to lead the Panthers frontcourt. Smith had a strong junior campaign which culminated in All-Met Divison II Player of the Year honors and first-team All-ECC recognition. She also led the team in scoring and rebounding, notching her 1,000th career point late in the season.

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Senior Gianna Smith led the team in scoring and rebounding last season.

"Gianna has developed into one of the best players in the Northeast," Watts said. "She has worked very hard to develop her game away from the basket. Whether at the foul line or beyond the three-point arc she has taken pride in improving her skills."

Junior Serita Lee( Freeport, NY) made a big impact last season. "Serita is a tremendous athlete who plays with passion. The energy she brings to practice and the game sets the tone for the team," Watts stated. Lee's keen sense for the ball and good footwork helped her pull down 6.3 boards per game last year. "Serita is relentless on the boards," Watts added. "She has the ability to pursue the ball until she gets it. She is very quick and explosive."

Senior Ashley Andrews( Hempstead, NY) and sophomore Caitlin Wetmore (Newtown, NJ) round out the returning post players. At 6-3, Andrews will be called upon to be a stopper in the paint, both defending and rebounding. Coach Watts is also expecting some solid performances from Wetmore who saw action in 19 games including one start last season. "Caitlin has a tremendous work ethic and will provide us with defense and solid rebounding," Watts said.

Joining the front court is international transfer Hannah Coen (Galaway, Ireland) who will be an asset to the Panthers in the post. "Hannah is a very talented player with the ability to play inside or outside," Watts explained. "She will compliment the other post players very well."

Schedule
In addition to their ECC opponents, the Panthers' schedule includes non-conference match-ups with three Central Athletic Collegiate Conference (CACC) teams and four Northeast -10 schools. "Our non-conference schedule is very competitive," Watts said. "We have always tried to schedule the best teams in the region to helps us prepare for our conference."

Adelphi will host Bryant College at home on November 15 to open the season. Road trips to Merrimack and to former ECC foe Philadelphia University will follow on November 17 and 24. "We have a great rivalry with Philadelphia and Merrimack is always tough in their own gym," Watts commented.

The conference schedule starts at home on November 28 with Molloy College. After a trip to NYIT, Adelphi has a four-game home stand that includes non-conference games against Georgian Court, Pace University and Caldwell College. The non-conference schedule wraps up on December 22 with a trip to Albany to take on St. Rose.

The ECC schedule heats up after the new year with 17 conference games in a row, culminating with a senior day match-up against C.W. Post on March 1. If all goes as planned, Coach Watts and her squad will be in good position leading into the conference playoffs slated to begin on March 5.

"We are small and quick, which is something we can use to our advantage," Watts stated. "We are more talented than we have been in recent years, but we have to do a better job of putting it all together. We must defend, score and rebound as a team to be successful this season."