2007-08 Purple Raider Women's Basketball Preview

In 2007-08, Mount Union College's women's basketball team is expected to return four of five starters and seven letterwinners overall from last year's squad (14-13, 9-9 OAC in 2006-07) that placed sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference in regular season play while reaching to conference semi-finals in OAC Tournament action.

The Purple Raiders should be led by senior/center Alicia Williams (Parma/Holy Name), a Second-Team All-OAC selection in '07 who finished fifth in the conference in scoring (14.8 ppg) and second in rebounding (8.1 rpg) last season. A two-time All-Conference selection, Williams enters her senior season needing 231 points to become Mount Union's 10th all-time 1,000 point scorer.

Alicia (Williams) has been a real post presence for us,' said Raider third-year Head Coach Suzy Venet. 'She is one of the OAC's best interior players ' both in terms of finishing inside and rebounding. We are looking for her to have an outstanding senior season.'

The Raiders also feature sophomore/guard Haley Drayer (Waterford), one of the OAC's top freshmen a year ago, who was second on the team in minutes played (747) third in scoring (8.4 ppg/226 total) while leading the squad in free throw percentage (32-of-34/.941).

'Haley (Drayer) played very well as a freshman a year ago,' added Venet. 'We threw a lot at her early and she was able to handle it and then some. She should be even better this season after the experience she gained in '06-07. We expect her to be one of our go-to players sooner rather than later.'

Mount Union senior/guard Ellie Geiger (Beloit/West Branch), who started all 27 games at the point for the Raiders in 2006-07, is also expect back this season.

'Ellie (Geiger) is as good an on-the-ball defender as you'll find,' noted Venet. 'She has been in the program for four years and understands what we are trying to accomplish at both ends of the floor.'

Raider senior/forward Ashley Ross (Canal Fulton/Northwest), who averaged 5.1 points per contest and 6.6 rebounds per game while appearing in all 27 games with 25 starts last winter, returns.

'Ashley (Ross) is one of the hardest workers in our program,' said Venet. 'You know you are going to get 100% from her every time she is out on the floor. She is fundamentally sound and very good around the basket.'

Sophomore/guard Meghan Simons (East Rochester/Minerva), who appeared in 19 games with five starts while averaging 6.9 points per game, is expected to see even more playing time in 2007-08.'

Meghan (Simons) was not 100% healthy last season and that limited her somewhat,' said the coach. 'Still, she is an excellent athlete who put up good numbers and was pretty consistent as a freshman. She should compete for a starting role this season.'

The Raiders return several other players and a group of newcomers who should provide the 2007-08 squad with much-needed depth.

'We have some role players coming back who could step into starting spots if they continue to develop,' Venet said. 'We also have some freshmen who have the talent level to play right way. The question will be how quickly they adjust to the college game and all that it entails.'

In 2006-07, the Raiders finished ninth in the conference in scoring (59.0 ppg), fourth in defense (60.4 ppg allowed), 10th in free throw percentage (.636), ninth in field goal percentage (.378), second in field goal percentage defense (.377), second in rebounding margin (+4.9 per game), and seventh in turnover margin (-2.44).

'Obviously, we need to be more consistent at the offensive end if we want to achieve our team goals this season,' said Venet. 'We need to put our scorers in good positions to be successful and we need them to be consistent from game to game. We also need to improve our free throw percentage. When you play close games, you have to convert at the charity stripe. Finally, we need to continue to stress defense. We have been solid defensively the past two years, but I want us to be a great defensive team, not just a good one.'

Mount Union has increased its win total in each of Venet's first two years at the helm ' going from just five victories in 2004-05 to 13 in her first season in 2005-06 to 14 wins last winter. This season, the Raiders are hoping to increase that total even more.

'You always want to improve your win total from one season to the next,' emphasized Venet. 'Our eventual goal however is to establish the type of program that can compete for the OAC Championship on a regular basis.'