Women's Basketball set to open the 2008-09 season
11/04/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 4, 2008
By Kyle Herm
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki women's basketball team has its sights set on a return to the top of the league under fifth-year head coach Dana Eikenberg. Just two years removed from winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship, SIU will look to re-establish itself by getting back to the basics.
"We've got to get back to working hard, because we lost that focus and got a little too content," said Eikenberg. "We have to focus on the process, not the outcome, and redefine what Saluki Basketball is all about."
Helping rewrite the definition for the 2008-09 Salukis will be returning seniors Kaci Bailey, Jasmine Gibson, Erica Smith and sophomore Katrina Swingler.
The quartet of returning letterwinners accounted for nearly fifty percent of the Salukis' offense last year, and will get assistance from nine highly touted newcomers to make up the 13-player roster.
"We'll have a lot of new people that no one will know about, but our focus will be to play tough defense," Eikenberg said. "I can promise you we're going to defend harder, and we're excited to get back into it."
Backcourt
Smith and Bailey, along with newly added Christine Presswood (Lincoln, Ill.), Olivia Lett (Pana, Ill.), and Eryn Stepherson (St. Louis, Mo.) will make up the Saluki backcourt.
"Our backcourt is going to have a lot of versatility," said Eikenberg. "Erica will bring the most experience entering her senior year, but we've got more people that can handle the ball."
Smith will be the primary leader at guard after being selected to the MVC All-Defensive Team, and leading SIU in steals (54) and assists (91) a year ago.
"Erica gives us such a different look at the one, because of her ability to get to the rim," Eikenberg said. "There's so much to her game, and much of our offense will flow from her strengths."
Smith also led the team in rebounds with a 6.8 per game average. Complementing Smith will be Lincoln Land College transfer Presswood at the one or two guard.
"Presswood has great ability, and is an up-tempo, high-energy type of player," said Eikenberg. "She's so committed to the game, and will make a difference."
The rest of the backcourt will have several different options. Freshman Lett and Stepherson, according to Eikenberg, will contribute early in their respected Saluki careers.
"Olivia (Lett) has a phenomenal feel for the game," said Eikenberg. "She'll be looked upon as having scoring responsibilities, and Eryn (Stepherson) is a great defensive stopper. Her athleticism and rebounding skills will also bode well for us in the backcourt."
Also in the backcourt will be Bailey, redshirt freshman Alex Hart, and junior college transfer Lacie Ward (Harper, Kan.). Bailey saw action in 17 games last year, and her previous experience will help the newcomers adjust.
"Kaci (Bailey) has nothing left to lose being a senior," said Eikenberg. "She'll really help us by letting the 3-ball fly. She understands the game and components of our program, and is a great court coach."
Hart, the lone returning player yet to see action, will start her SIU career following a redshirt season a year ago.
"After shoulder surgery, Alex (Hart) had a very good summer," said Eikenberg. "She's a freshman so she'll have some experience to gain, but she's a competitor, and we're glad to have her this year."
Ward joins the Salukis after a stellar two years at Coffeyville College, where she connected on 80, 3-point baskets as a sophomore.
"Lacie (Ward) has a great ability to put points on the scoreboard," Eikenberg said. "She's going to give us something we didn't have last year. She has a quick release, which will help open things up inside."
Frontcourt
The frontcourt will rest on the shoulders of Gibson, who placed second on the team last season for points per game (14.3). The Kansas City, Mo. native will showcase her talents around and away from the basket, and be a force to reckon with in the league.
"She (Gibson) should be a preseason all-MVC pick," said Eikenberg. "She's a year stronger, more mature and mentally tougher, which will put her in a position to excel. We're going to use Jasmine in many areas."
Also playing inside will be returning sophomore Swingler, in addition to newcomers Karlee Myers (Chico, Calif.), Nicole Howe (La Junta, Colo.), Adrianne Griffith (Grayson, Ga.), and Latoya Hambrick (Chicago, Ill.).
"Swing (Swingler) made incredible strides her freshman year," said Eikenberg. "We're counting on her to use her experience last year to be a threat this year."
Swingler played in 27 of the Salukis' 30 games as a true freshman, and averaged four points and grabbed more than two rebounds per contest.
Junior college transfers Myers (College of the Siskiyous) and Griffith (Daytona Beach College), will also see a majority of time as forwards, and add versatility to the frontcourt.
"Karlee (Myers) is deceptive," said Eikenberg. "She's got great hands around the hoop, but can also step out and make the medium-range jump shots. A.D. (Griffith), is a big and strong four, who is tough in the paint."
Giffith was also named second team All-Mid Florida Conference as a sophomore.
Howe, a junior who played the last two seasons at Otero Junior College, will play as a true center in SIU's frontcourt.
"Nikki (Howe) has ability to score low in the post," said Eikenberg. "We haven't had a true center in our game, and it will add a lot to our style of play."
Hambrick will also play the five position, and use her freshman year to gain experience.
"LaToya (Hambrick) is a rebounder" Eikenberg said. "She's a type of player who we want around the basket, and we're excited about her eagerness to work."
The Schedule
The Salukis' schedule focuses on regional non-conference opponents and a trip to the Bahamas for the Junkanoo Jam Tournament, before beginning MVC play.
"With our non-conference schedule, we really wanted to renew some regional rivalries," said Eikenberg. "We're excited about being able to play regionally against some teams that are doing very well in their own conferences."
In addition to regional rivalries with Saint Louis, Arkansas State, and Tennessee Tech, SIU will face DePaul, Florida and either Hofstra or Arizona State. The latter made it to the second round of the Women's NCAA Tournament last season.
"We have a great home slate, and challenging games on the road," said Eikenberg. "Wherever we're picked in the Valley, we know it's going to be a battle, and we'll come ready to go from day one."