After closing the regular season last year- with an overall record of 22-4 and in-conference record of 17-3, the Muhlenberg women’s basketball team is ready to get back to work. On Saturday Nov 10, the Mules step onto the court for their opener, on the road, against the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds up in Saratoga Springs, NY. Following the game, the ladies will be back at Memorial Hall to tipoff the annual Scotty Wood Tournament. After a successful regular season and with an unfortunate bounce from the playoffs in the semifinals against Haverford, the squad is back with seven new freshman, high expectations and a strong desire to obtain their fourth Centennial Conference Championship in five years.
The season has not truly gotten underway, yet Coach Ron Rohn has been thoroughly impressed by what he has seen from his group.
“I have been impressed by the athleticism and overall intensity that this team plays and practices with. I also like the depth and versatility of this group as we have a large number of players who can score, rebound, defend, and play multiple positions which should serve us well in terms of being able to answer whatever questions opponents ask of us,” said Rohn.
The Mules are determined to have their hard work in the gym pay off when the games matter and ready to showcase that they have not lost a step after losing four seniors to graduation. The team did, however, bring in seven new freshman and Rohn has also been pleased with their transition and their superb talent.
“All seven freshmen bring unique talents and abilities to our team and will only add to our success. They are all long, athletic, and can score. As they adjust to the college game and our system, all of the freshmen will make contributions as the season moves forward. They are very talented. I know that our team will continue to be the one to beat in the Centennial Conference for at least four more years with the freshman class we have,” Rohn added.
“This has the potential to be just as good or even better than last year’s team. This team will be different.”
The Lady Mules may not have obtained the result they wished last season, but it has only motivated and fueled them to reign supreme once more.
“With the loss of four seniors, it left really big shoes to fill, but this season is really all about us and we’re focused on working with the talent that we have. The loss has only made us hungrier and we ultimately want to do it for ourselves,” said guard Sara Dilly ‘19.
Their first opportunity on the road back to the CC Championship and the Division-III Tournament came against Skidmore. Although it may have been opening day, the game was still a thriller. The squad escaped OT with the 49-46 victory. Leading the way in the low scoring affair was Carley Hamilton ‘19 with 15 points, six rebounds, and one steal. Hamilton was tied with Ashley Polera ‘20 in minutes with 34.
“After switching to zone from man, it generated a lot of energy and we were able to find success. We didn’t turn the ball over as much, got better looks on offense, and we were able to get more boards” said Dilly.
The season is young and the road win is hopefully an indication of the success to come.
“Without a doubt, this team is one of the favorites to cut down the nets again this year. This has the potential to be just as good or even better than last year’s team. This team will be different,” said Rohn. The ladies return home for their game against Penn State Berks for the Scotty Wood Tournament. “This team strongly believes in the montra ‘Tradition Never Graduates’ and they are on a mission to prove it this year,” said Rohn.
