Mountie Women Host Season Opening Tournament This Weekend -- Hope Tagliaferri’s Final Season Will Be Best in School History – Sold Mix of Veterans and Promising Newcomers Paint Bright Picture for 2005-06

MANSFIELD -- The Mansfield University women’s basketball will open the 2005-06 season when they host the Mansfield University Classic this Saturday and Sunday at Decker Gymnasium.

Mansfield will host Columbia Union at 6 p.m. on Saturday after Cheyney faces University of District of Columbia at 4 p.m. The Mountaineers will face UDC on Sunday at 4 pm following the Cheyney – Columbia Union game at 2 p.m.

It marks the first time the Mountaineers have hosted a season opening tournament since 1994 and is just the second time Mansfield has opened the season at home in the last 14 years.

“It’s exciting for us to be able to open at home,” said head coach Ruth Hermansen about her seventh season at the helm of the program. “It just seems like we’ve always opened the season in West Virginia or Florida and there’s just something special about playing the first game at home.”

Although one of the PSAC’s most improved programs over the past four years, the 2005-06 edition of the Mountaineer women’s basketball program has grown a little tired of moral victories – they’re looking for and expecting a PSAC playoff berth.

The key to making that happen will how quickly the eight returnees and seven talented newcomers mesh their considerable talents together as a team.

Entering the season as the program’s all-time winningest coach, Ruth Hermansen still has the one pillar remaining that she used in changing the direction of the program five years ago in Alison Tagliaferri.

Enter her fifth season after receiving a medical redshirt as a sophomore, no player has had as big of an impact on the Mountaineer basketball program as the senior post player. A First Team All-PSAC East player in each of her first three seasons, Tagliaferri is also a four time preseason All-PSAC East selection and is closing in on almost every MU career statistic.

Averaging 16.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season, Tagliaferri is one of three starters returning off last year’s team and will again be the catalyst for this season.

Joining her in the frontcourt, is two-year starter Jessica Uhrich. A tenacious rebouder (8.5 rpg), Uhrich also proved herself to be a steady scorer last season averaging 10.6 points per game. A two-time PSAC East Player of the Week last year, Uhrich is a  threat from anywhere on the court. In 2004-05, she connected on team best 45.5% on 3-point tries while finishing second on the team in blocked shots (25).

While Tagliaferri and Uhrich give the Mountaineers a solid inside game, the emergence of junior Christine Ross maybe the key to a playoff run. Ross appeared in all 25 games last season averaging 1.9 points and 1.2 rebounds and will be expected to play a larger part in the post this year.

Sophomore Monice Warren gave the Mountaineers some quality minutes last season where she averaged 1.2 points and 2.0 rebounds over 23 games. Her physical style of play will prove beneficial over the course of the season. Freshman Katie Akins has impressed coaches with her attitude and work ethic and will provide backup underneath.

Senior Tiffany Taylor is a seasoned veteran who will run things from the point. Last season, Taylor started 19 games averaging 3.5 points per game while dishing out 53 assist with 39 steals. She will be backed up by freshman Courtney Brooks who is expected to see significant playing time. Brittany Reed, who was a medical redshirt last season, could also see time at point.

The Mountaineers maybe the most dangerous 3-point shooting team in the PSAC East this season. Sophomore Alicia Espigh will start at the two spot where she connected on 27 treys last season while averaging 7.4 points per game.  A three-time PSAC East Rookie of the Week selection, Espigh was the PSAC’s fourth most accurate 3-point shooter as a freshman. Senior Breanne Day and sophomore Kelli Eastman also return at the two guard and can also hit the three.

Becky Ayers is the most interesting addition of the newcomers after transferring from NCAA Division I Albany where she led the team in scoring her freshman season. Ayers may be the best pure shooter on the team and at 5-11 has a great outside touch that will put her into the starting lineup at the three spot.

Mallory Hafer and Clarissa Correll were both All-NTL All-Conference selections last season where Hafer’s 98 three-pointers where the most scored, boy or girl, in the Commonwealth last year. Correll is a tough defender who can play almost anywhere on the court.

Emily Akins, the twin sister of Katie, has proven to be a pleasant surprise in preseason camp with her hustle and attitude and will see action at guard.