Monmouth
Monmouth welcomes Stephanie V. Gaitley and her 407 career wins to the Jersey Shore where the veteran head coach looks to help the Hawks fly high again after leading the LIU Blackbirds to last season's NEC title game. After putting Long Island on the cusp of its first championship since 2001, the 22-year veteran of the Division I head coaching ranks takes over a program that has not captured the NEC crown since its lone title in 1987. Monmouth is Gaitley's fourth stop on the head coaching circuit, which took her through Richmond and Saint Joseph's before a six-year stint at LIU. All three programs experienced at least two 20-win seasons during her tenure.
Although she doesn't inherit a 20-win team, Gaitley takes over a talented roster that returns four starters from last year's NEC quarterfinal upset of Sacred Heart. Preseason all-NEC forward Jennifer Bender (14.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg) gives Gaitley the opportunity to coach one of the league's most-productive players. Bender was only one of three NEC players to rank amongst the conference's top-10 in scoring and rebounding last season. Another one of four returning starters from last season's injury-riddled squad, senior Rachel Ferdinand (4.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) further solidifies a frontcourt that helped the Hawks to the NEC's top rebounding margin (+6.5/g).
Senior post player Lakia Barber (7.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg) began to flourish in her reserve role (16.4 mpg) down the stretch. The 5-foot-11 forward scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Hawks' tournament victory going up against SHU's preseason all-NEC font-court tandem of Kaitlin Sowinski and Stephanie Ryan. The Hawks lost guard Brianne Edwards, who spent a healthy portion of last season injured, and starer Nyaimah Ware, creating an opportunity for senior Marbely Montas (7.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) a chance to step up. Montas struggled with turnovers, but, like most Hawks, rebounded well.
Monmouth by the Numbers
Quick Facts
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners R/L: 9/5
2004-05 Record: 11-20
NEC Record/Place: 7-11/T-6th
NEC Tournament: Lost SF to No. 2 Robert Morris, 67-52
Overall Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 11-20
Last Two Years: 29-33
Last Three Years: 43-47
Last Four Years: 60-58
NEC Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 7-11
Last Two Years: 17-19
Last Three Years: 28-26
Last Four Years: 41-31
RPI - Nat'l Rank/Conf. Standing
2007-08: 259/6th
2006-07: 209/5th
Leading Returning Scorers
Jennifer Bender: 14.5 ppg
Marisa Jimenez: 8.1 ppg
LaKia Barber: 7.5 ppg
Leading Returning Rebounders
Jennifer Bender: 8.8 rpg
Rachel Ferdinand: 4.3 rpg
Marbely Montas: 4.1 rpg