KUTZTOWN, Pa. (October 31, 2011)—The Kutztown University women's basketball team looks forward to the 2011-12 season, as it returns a pair of All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) selections, two seniors, and a host of new faces in what hopes to be another thrilling year for the program.

The Golden Bears are picked fourth in the PSAC East preseason poll. Last year Kutztown finished the season fourth in the PSAC East. Kutztown has made the PSAC playoffs for three consecutive seasons. KU went 15-12 overall and 8-6 in conference play last year.

KU will have to fill the voids of Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler), who ended her career as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the program (1,623 points) and in rebounds (961), Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) who is second on the KU all-time list in assists (395), and Kristen Murray (Harrisburg, PA/Trinity) who was an all-purpose player that contributed greatly to the program.

However, it's a new season for the Golden Bears and they're more than ready to showcase their talent on the court. KU returns Ashley Wood (Limerick, PA/Spring-Ford) who was a member of the 2010-11 All-PSAC East Second Team, and Andrea Sisson (Richmond, VA/Godwin) who was selected as the PSAC East Division Freshman of the Year last season.

Wood enjoyed a terrific season as she averaged 13.8 points per game, which was second on the team. She was 12th in the PSAC in scoring average, third in 3-point shooting percentage (.440), and 12th in 3-pointers made per game (1.8). Wood reached double figures in scoring 19 times last season. Wood had a streak of 13 straight games in which she reached double figures late in the 2010-11 season. Wood also scored 20 or more points eight times and led the Golden Bears in scoring nine times.

Sisson made an immediate impact for Kutztown during her freshman year. She led the Golden Bears in 3-pointers made with 52. Sisson averaged 9.1 points per game and scored in double figures 12 times during the season. Sisson scored a career-high 17 points in two of the three games against Bloomsburg last year. Sisson was fourth in the PSAC in 3-point field goal percentage (.440) and seventh in 3-pointers made per game (2.0).

“Wood is the most veteran backcourt player that we have returning and she's done a great job so far by stepping up and showing the younger players what it means to really do well and how hard you have to play,” Kutztown University head coach Janet Malouf said. “Wood and Sisson really have to lead the new girls and teach them what it means to be a good team and player in this league to be successful.”
When mentioning leadership, seniors Brittany Greaves (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) and Brittany LeVan (Centre Hall, PA/Penns Valley) have contributed to the efforts of guiding their youthful team.

The duo saw ample time in the 2010-11 season. LeVan saw action in all 27 games and started in KU's final 14. Greaves played in 26 games as a junior.

“Our two seniors have really been doing a good job,” Malouf said. “Greaves is shooting the ball a lot better. She's playing with more confidence and LeVan is continuing to play hard for us. She's going to get some support because there are a bunch of young kids that can play the position with her, so it's just not her out there by herself like last season. This year she doesn't have to take on that whole load by herself which is going to help game and help her play more.”

Steph Zewe (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) is also a returnee who covered the post for Kutztown last season (159). Zewe started in all 27 games and finished the season as KU's second leading rebounder. She reached double figures nine times and recorded three double-doubles last year.

Sophomores Avery Hodgson (Surf City, NJ/Southern Regional), Leah Hawk (Carlisle, PA/Cumberland Valley), and Alyssa Bonenberger (Walnutport, PA/Northampton Area) are all expected to see more time on the court this season. Hodgson and Hawk each saw time for the Golden Bears last year while Bonenberger was out with an injury the entire season. Hodgson scored a career-high 13 points and had five rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes against Mercyhurst. Hawk blocked four shots, grabbed six rebounds and scored three points against Georgian Court last season.

Outside of those parameters, the rest of the 2011-12 squad is new. However, Kutztown is embracing its youthful team who is eager to grow, learn, and make their mark on the PSAC. Newcomers, Advia Campbell (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape), Nicole Donahue (Wall, N.J./St. Rose), Elisa Gaffney (Downingtown, Pa./Coatesville), Asia Graham (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville), transfer Keyia Pullen, Victoria Schuler (Westminster, MD/St. Timothy's), Tanejha Smith (Allentown, PA/William Allen), and Aly York (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone), bring versatility, size, athleticism, and speed to KU.

Campbell is a 5-11 forward that earned second team All-Olympic Conference honors at Lenape High. Donahue is a 6-1 forward, who averaged 10 points per game at St. Rose Belmar High School. Gaffney is a 5-8 forward who led Coatesville High School to the Quakertown Tournament championship. Gaffney was the tournament MVP and finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Graham is a 5-2 point guard who was a three year varsity starter at Coatesville Senior High School. For three years, she led her team in assists and was second on the team in scoring. Pullen is a 5-3 point guard who was named All-District at Monacan High School. During her junior year, she averaged 7.3 points per game. Schuler is a 6-1 post player who was a four year letter winner at St. Timothy's. York is a 5-9 guard with excellent shooting ability. York was a four year varsity starter at Daniel Boone High School. She scored 397 points as a senior and ended her career with 1,135 points.

Pullen, a transfer from NYIT played in all 25 games for the Bears in the 2010-11 season.

“The camaraderie of the team is good,” Malouf said. “They realize that we are a young team but we can be a good team. We have some big shoes to fill after losing three key players last year but they know that it's on everybody's shoulders to do so and not just the upperclassmen. I'm excited about this team but we do have a lot to learn.”

The Golden Bears open up their 2011-12 season when they visit Shepherd University on Nov. 11 for a game starting at 4 p.m.