Ball gets rolling for 2011-12

Division II

Bentley
Key Players: Jacqui Brugliera (So. F), Elise Caira (RS Sr., G/F), Lauren Battista (So. F), Katherine Goodwin (Sr., G).

Noting the Falcons:  Bentley, led by Hall of Famer Barbara Stevens, returns its top-three scorers in Jacqui Brugliera, Elise Caira and Lauren Battista. The Falcons have two freshmen additions to the 2011-12 roster in Chelsea Lombardi and Carlene Kluge, who will have big shoes to fill in a freshmen class that featured two of the top Bentley scorers last season. The squad made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last season and finished with a 28-4 record.

Michigan Tech
Key Players: Sam Hoyt (Jr., G), Lindsey Lindstrom (Sr., F), Lynn Giesler (Sr., C).

Noting the Huskies:  Michigan Tech went on a Cinderella run last season, finishing as the national runner-up with a 31-2 final slate. The Huskies may not have it so easy this season after losing top-contributors Lisa Staehlin and Lucy Dernovsek. Six freshmen have been added to the squad and will be looked to for immediate contribution. Sam Hoyt and Lindsey Lindstrom will have to take it up a notch this season if the Huskies want to make another run for the crown.

Fort Lewis
Key Players: Dana Schreibvogel (Sr., F), Mary Rose Paiz (Sr., G/F), Jenna Santistevan (Sr., C).

Noting the Skyhawks:  Fort Lewis is pretty secure in the paint, with scoring machines Dana Schreibvogel and Jenna Santistevan returning for the Skyhawks. But the gaping hole comes in the point guard position, after losing Abby Jackson who ended her career as the program’s career leader in victories (117), assists (389) and 3-point field goals (235). After the Skyhawks earned a No. 1 seed in last year’s NCAA tournament, the team suffered an overtime heartbreaker in the first round, ending the title-run hopes at 28-2. The upperclassmen will be key in ensuring Fort Lewis doesn’t have another dramatic repeat ending.

Division III

Amherst
Key Players: Caroline Stedman (Sr., G), Lem Atanga McCormick (Sr., F/C), Kim Fiorentino (Sr., G)

Noting the Lord Jeffs:  The hardest hit for the Lord Jeffs will be the loss of All-American Jaclyn Daigneault who led the team in both scoring and rebounds last season. Seniors Carolina Stedman, Lem Atagnga McCormick and Kim Fiorentino will lead the quest to earn back-to-back national championships with their experience earned during last season’s run for the crown. Amherst returns an entire roster for the 2010-11 season. Will head coach GP Gromacki be able to rally the Lord Jeffs for another title?

Chicago
Key Players: Taylor Simpson (Sr., F), Meghan Herrick (Sr., G), Bryanne Halfhill (Sr., G), Morgan Herrick (Sr., F).

Noting the Maroons:  Chicago returns the squads top-five scorers, who are all senior for the Maroons (Taylor Simpson, Meghan Herrick, Bryanne Halfhill, Morgan Herrick and Joann Torres). With the leadership of such an experienced team, head coach Aaron Roussell hopes that his squad can one-up last season’s NCAA tournament quarterfinal finish with a 25-3 final record. All-American Simpson averaged 14.3 ppg and 10.2 rpg last season while guard Halfhill dished out 131 assists and snagged 77 steals on the season leading the Maroons.

Nov. 12 – 1 p.m. ET: No. 2 Bentley Falcons vs. No. 18 Holy Family Tigers at UMass-Lowell Tip-Off Tournament (DII)

Nov. 26 – 10 p.m. ET: No. 6 Fort Lewis Skyhawks at No. 13 UC-San Diego Tritons (DII)

Dec. 3 – 2 p.m. ET: No. 16 Denison Big Red at No. 9 DePauw Tigers (DIII)

Dec. 3 – 3 p.m. ET: No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan Titans at No. 2 Chicago Maroons (DIII)

Dec. 3 – 6:30 p.m. ET: No. 11 Washburn Ichabods at No. 15 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats (DII)

Dec. 14 – 8 p.m. ET: No. 10 UW-Stevens Point Pointers at No. T20 UW-Whitewater Warhawks (DIII)

Dec. 19 – 6 p.m. ET:  No. 3 Michigan Tech Huskies at No. 21 Grand Valley State Lakers (DII)

Jan. 7 – 2 p.m. ET: No. 15 Hope Flying Dutchmen at No. 5 Calvin Knights (DIII)

Jan. 14 – 1 p.m. ET: No. 4 William Paterson Pioneers at No. 24 Kean Cougars (DIII)

Jan. 20 – 6 p.m. ET: No. 1 Amherst Lord Jeffs at No. 11 Bowdoin Polar Bears (DIII)

Jan. 25 – 5:30 p.m. ET: No. 10 Lander Bearcats at No. 1 Clayton State Lakers (DII)

Jan. 27 — 7 p.m. ET: No. 8 Rochester Yellowjackets at No. 6 Washington (Mo.) Bears (DIII)

Jan. 28 – 5:30 p.m. ET: No. 17 USC-Aiken Pacers at No. 1 Clayton State Lakers (DII)