2013-14 Schedule | 2013-14 Roster | Media Guide
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's basketball team enjoyed another successful season last year that included a postseason victory. Its upcoming campaign hopes to use a core of returning starters and a plethora of young talent to continue to build on the foundation that was set a year ago with the goal of stretching its 2013-14 season even further.
 
The Golden Bears returned to the postseason for the fourth time in five years in 2012-13. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament after winning an opening round game on their home floor. Kutztown won 16 games overall and 13 in conference play including a three-game winning streak during the season, two of which came on the road.
 
Janet Malouf enters her 20th season as head women's basketball coach at Kutztown University in 2013-14. During her 19 seasons at Kutztown, Malouf is the all-time winningest coach in school history and holds a 290-231 (.557) overall record. Looking back on last season, Malouf was proud of the way her team competed, and is excited about the possibility of continued growth this season.
 
"Our team came into last season very energetic and enthused, which helped build for the future success of our season," Malouf said. "We lost some early games that we could have won. It showed how good we could be, since they were much more competitive games than games from two years ago."
 
Kutztown enters the season with many new faces. It moves on from star point guard Ashley Wood (Limerick, PA/Spring-Ford), who graduated as the sixth-leading scorer in school history; however, it will be led by a core foursome of starting returners.
 
Alyssa Bonenberger (Walnutport, PA/Northampton Area), Advia Campbell (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape), Nicole Donahue (Wall, N.J./St. Rose), and Natalya Lee (Feasterville, Pa./Rancocas Valley Regional) represent Kutztown's returning starters who look to progress from an already successful season a year ago. The quartet contributed to more than 56 percent of the team's total scoring, and will look to increase that number in place of Wood's 14 points per game last season.
 
Minus one not playing the majority of the season due to injury (Donahue), each returner played in all 28 games last season with extended minutes. In many cases, Kutztown only used seven to eight players in most games due to a lack of able bodies, an issue that looks to be cured moving forward.
 
"Our four returners will play a significant role in our success this year," Malouf commented on Bonenberger, Campbell, Donahue, and Lee. "They all played a lot of minutes last year, and keeping them healthy will be important for us throughout the season."
 
That trend of playing an overwhelming amount of minutes has died quickly though, as the Golden Bears welcome eight new faces, seven of which are true freshman. Kutztown will go to its bench often this season and expect immediate contributions from many of its newcomers. This will provide numerous rotation options for Malouf and her staff, as well as preserving as many bodies as possible for the long, rigorous schedule of the PSAC.
 
With no seniors on the team, Malouf is extremely excited that all the growth from this season will carry over into next. The four mentioned returners will all take on leadership roles in different ways, all in hopes of a return trip, and a deeper run through postseason play.
 
"With a lot of teams in our division losing players to graduation, we could have the most veteran starting rotation," Malouf said. "Returning four starters and having our freshmen step in and make an immediate impact will significantly increase our chances of putting together a successful postseason run."
 
Bonenberger is coming off a career-best season in which she averaged double figures in scoring and led the team and rated fifth in the conference at 8.4 rebounds per game. As opposed to her post position from last year, expect to see the redshirt junior out on the wing to give greater scoring opportunities. She is one of the top shooters on the team who can also defend extremely well at the forward position.
 
Donahue and Lee are the two most vocal players on the team. Donahue opened her sophomore campaign on an outstanding run, but had her season cut short due to a knee injury after eight games. She has overcome her setback during the offseason and has entered preseason camp in excellent shape. She will be ready to play for the season-opener and with her expected progression, could work her way into a double-digit scoring average. She is a forward who can handle the ball and stretch the floor with her speed.
 
Lee started in every game as a freshman and is Kutztown's top returner in terms of scoring. She averaged 10.7 points per clip with 26 three-pointers and at 5-7, Lee hustled her way to nearly five rebounds per game. She led the team with nearly 34 minutes per game, but an expanded roster this season should help limit her minutes, and therefore increase productivity for the young shooting guard.
 
Campbell returns as Kutztown's top option inside the paint. A junior, she will help guide many of the incoming freshmen forwards. Not only is she one of the most athletic players on the team, she is one of the fastest post players in the league. Her speed can bring her great success in transition, and as her confidence builds attacking the basket, Campbell could put together a breakout season for the Golden Bears.
 
Junior Elisa Gaffney (Downingtown, Pa./Coatesville) is still working her way back onto the floor after missing last season due to injury. She is a great defender and can attack the basket offensively from inside the paint.
 
As mentioned, Malouf and the Golden Bears expect immediate contributions from many of the newcomers this season, some of which will see time in the starting lineup.
 
Freshman Jess Harvey (Barnegat, N.J./Rumson Fair-Haven Regional) enters the season as a potential candidate for the starting point guard. Out of Rumson Fair-Haven High School, Harvey handles the ball well and with good speed. She is also able to create her own shot and finish with a jumper. Playing relaxed and running the team effectively will be critical to Harvey's success this season.
 
Also at guard, freshman Kara Funk (Dover, Pa./Dover) will see playing time. She is a physical guard who can create havoc on the floor for KU. Fellow freshman Jenna Altomare (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area) is a very hard worker who can handle the ball and shoot the three. Both Funk and Altomare can play the point or shooting guard position.
 
Caitlin McLister (Middletown, MD/Middletown) has the tools to be a solid wing player and plays with great energy that can be utilized early off the bench. As McLister and the fellow young guards adapt to the much faster style of play in the PSAC, playing time will continue to grow for the group.
 
At forward, Gina Lewis (Atlantic City, N.J./Holy Spirit) is a physical player in the post and should help give Bonenberger some relief. She enters her collegiate career as a strong inside player, but will have to continue to grow physically to compete with the physical nature of the PSAC.
 
Freshman Kelsey Watson (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) can play both in and outside of the paint. She has a knack for scoring and getting to the foul line, and has the ability to play either forward position.
 
Marissa MacMillan (Portland, ME/Deering) is a great defensive forward who can alter shots with her blocking ability. At 6-4 from Maine, MacMillan comes with tremendous potential on both ends of the floor.
 
Kutztown's final newcomer is a sophomore transfer from California (PA). Keturah Vactor (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian Academy (California (PA))) is a physical forward and is currently working on her rehab from last season. She hopes to see the floor in December.
 
Kutztown has a pair of exhibition contests against high-level, Division I programs in the early portion of its schedule. It takes on Fordham on the road to open the year and hosts Liberty on Nov. 25.
 
"We're hoping to use those early exhibitions and non-conference games to help build our rotation," Malouf commented on starting the conference season in November. "We plan to play many of our freshmen in those games to see how they react. Those opening non-conference games are critical to set our rotation so that once we hit December, our rotation is set."
 
The Golden Bears open the regular season in West Virginia at the Glenville Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9. Kutztown's home opener at Keystone Arena is on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against the University of the Sciences at 5:30 p.m.