Brenda Milano has coached St. Francis (NY) into the NEC Tournament during three of the past four years. Last season the Terriers couldn't equal the success they had during their 2007 go-around when they upset Brooklyn rival Long Island to become the first ever No. 8 seed to eliminate its top-seeded first round opponent. St. Francis (NY) succumbed to eventual champion Robert Morris in the 2008 NEC quarterfinal round, but its toughest opponent last season was the injury bug. Former NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and all-league selection, Katja Bavendam spent the start of her senior season recovering from knee surgery. Point guard Kristen Miah and the versatile Kara Ayers eventually joined Bavendam on the injury list, starting less than half of the season's games. Both seniors, Miah (3.2 ppg, 3.9 apg) and Ayers (13.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) are set to return, but Milano loses the services of Bavendam and the program's second-leading all-time scorer in Tiffany Hill.
The loss of two key veterans shouldn't hurt St. Francis (NY) in the leadership department thanks to Ayers. The most-experienced Terrier on the roster, Ayers is a well-respected, gutsy player that can put the ball in the hole from a number of spots on the floor. The development of sophomore forward Kristin Leithauser is a factor that could pay dividends. Playing 14.5 minutes per game over 25 appearances, she didn't produce huge numbers (2.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg), but showed potential during her rookie go-round. Junior Kendra Williams (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), a 6-foot-4 forward, may see her role increase with Bavendam leaving a hole in the middle. Williams and sophomore Bara Galandakova, a 6-foot-7 center, have great shot-altering ability. If the Terriers remain healthy, they could defy the NEC coaches' ninth-place prediction and return to the postseason for the fourth time in Milano's tenure.
St. Francis (NY) by the Numbers
Quick Facts
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Letterwinners R/L: 8/4
2007-08 Record: 10-20
NEC Record/Place: 7-11/6th
NEC Tournament: Lost QF to No. 2 Robert Morris
Overall Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 10-20
Last Two Years: 23-38
Last Three Years: 28-60
Last Four Years: 38-78
NEC Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 7-11
Last Two Years: 14-22
Last Three Years: 18-36
Last Four Years: 25-47
RPI Nat'l Rank/Conf. Standing
2007-08: 284/8th
2006-07: 239/7th
Leading Returning Scorers
Kara Ayers: 13.3 ppg
Kendra Williams: 4.0 ppg
Cecelia Herald: 3.6 ppg
Leading Returning Rebounders
Kara Ayers: 5.2 rpg
Kendra Williams: 3.0 rpg
Kristen Miah: 3.1 rpg