WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - William and Mary women's basketball head coach Ed Swanson returns to the sideline for his second year with the program. However, this season the Tribe has a year in Swanson's system and for the first time in his tenure, a full offseason workout program.
“I think the last five weeks of last season, the team took a hold of what we were trying to do in terms of the style of play we were trying to run and the terminology we wanted to use,” Swanson said. “I thought we took that momentum into the postseason and into the offseason and it has shown. I'm extremely excited for practice and I think we are going to hit the ground running. From just the early workouts, I think the team is progressing and are up to speed on what we want to do on the court.”
On the court, the Tribe returns 10 players from last year's roster, including three all-Colonial Athletic Association conference selections. Seniors Jazmen Boone (CAA All-Defensive Team) and Kyla Kerstetter (CAA All-Academic) along with sophomore Marlena Tremba (CAA Rookie of the Year) will be the leaders of the returners.
“I am looking forward to build around them this season,” said Swanson. “Each of them brings something different to the table, and I think they can all have strong seasons.”
This season will also mark the first recruiting class that Swanson and his coaching staff have brought to William & Mary. The freshman class consists of four recruits in Jenna Green, Jeanne Gaumont, Abby Rendle, and Ashley DeLeonibus, along with a pair of walk-ons in Jenna Carroll and Camila Prock.
“I think our recruiting class is a terrific building block for us to continue building our program here at William and Mary,” said Swanson. “All six women?possess all the qualities I look for an a student-athlete. They all have an extreme work ethic and come from winning cultures. They embody the three things we look for in recruits, they are great citizens and are winners both on the basketball court and the classroom.”
With four members of the senior class, leadership will be at premium on this year's roster. Out of the four Boone and Kerstetter have been named team captains. Both were unanimous picks by their coaches and teammates.
“They have done a tremendous job.” Swanson said. “From day one they really bought into our style of play. They're seniors that want to help start something great here. They have really done all that they can in giving to the program, not only on the floor but also in the classroom and in the community. It really has been a luxury for our staff to have them in our program as we have gotten started at W&M.”
This season's non-conference slate is highlighted by four teams who participated in postseason play in 2013-14 and five in-state rivals. That includes the return of former CAA opponents Richmond and VCU to the schedule. The Tribe will also play five return games this season, while starting series with Loyola (Md.), VCU, Wofford, Maine, and Richmond.
“We wanted to play more local games and having ODU, VCU, Richmond added to our schedule we have done that,” said Swanson.? “I think every quality schedule needs to have some natural rivalries that energizes our players, fan base and recruiting base.”
Once again the CAA looks to be as strong. Last season the conference sent three teams to postseason play in James Madison (NCAA Tournament), Delaware (WNIT), and College of Charleston (WBI). The league also returns to 10 teams with the addition of Elon, meaning the league will feature an 18-game, true round-robin format.
“I'm excited for the conference schedule,” Swanson said. “I thought we ended the schedule on a high note and am excited to go through the gauntlet again. The league is still very good with James Madison, Delaware, and Drexel. We are still fighting to move up that conference ladder.”
The goals for Swanson and company for this season are similar to last year. With still a young roster, the goal is to be a better team in March then the team that opens the season in November.
“They are hungry", Swanson said.? “We've had a tremendous offseason. A lot will depend on our younger players, and how much confidence we can build on the non-conference schedule. Our goals are the same. We want to be better at the end of the year then at the beginning. We have tremendous leadership, and players that have been playing together a lot. We hope to be playing our best basketball come March.”
Guards
Four players will vie for time at the point guard position this winter. Newcomer Jenna Green has inserted herself right in the mix in preseason workouts. She is an up-tempo, aggressive-style floor leader, has great breakdown ability, and can score in the lane. Sophomores Alexis Hofstaedter and Latrice Hunter, who both saw a lot of playing time at the point guard position last season, will provide depth there, while also seeing time at the two guard. Senior Anna Kestler (82 games) will also be in the mix at point guard and will provide senior leadership to an otherwise young position.
At the two-guard position, the Tribe is flexible in terms of moving a few players from the two guard and wing position and vice versa. The Tribe's leading scorer from a season ago, CAA Rookie of the Year Marlena Tremba (13.2 ppg.), plus Kyla Kerstetter (10.7 ppg.), Brooke Stewart (seven starts), freshman Camila Prock, as well as Hunter and Hofstaedter, will all fight for time at the two guard.
Wings
The wings will be led by senior Jazmen Boone, who returns after a career-season both offensively and defensively. Boone averaged 11.5 points per game, while leading the Tribe with 81 steals. Joining Boone will be Kerstetter and Stewart, who will be in the mix at the two guard position. At the final wing is freshman Jeanne Gaumont. Gaumont is a tremendous passer who as the ability to shoot the ball. Being a freshman she is still learning the system, but will factor into the rotation.
Forwards
The youngest position on the floor this season will be the forwards, which feature two sophomores and two freshmen. Sophomores Kasey Curtis and Alexandra Masaquel, who saw action a season ago, have had strong offseasons in the weight room. Both players will likely see a bigger role in their second year with the program. Freshman Ashley DeLeonibus will add depth and adds an added athletic dimension to the forward position, while her classmate Jenna Carroll will also add an athletic forward to the bunch.
Center
Freshman Abby Rendle has shown to be a strong candidate to get the nod at the center spot for the Tribe this season. She has the ability to work inside out, is a terrific player out of the post and will likely become the pivot person that can become the center of the offense. Senior Mackenzie Morrison will also add depth and see minutes at center. Morrison had a strong offseason, working to get herself ready to be a center in Coach Swanson's style. She also can step outside and hit jump shots, which is a bonus from the center spot.
The Tribe opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 14 when they welcome Loyola (Md.) to Kaplan Arena at William and Mary Hall. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
