[Kutztown Press Release] VAN WAGNER NAMED PRESEASON ALL-PSAC EAST; KU PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH

[Josh Leiboff]

Nov. 13, 2007 

VAN WAGNER NAMED PRESEASON ALL-PSAC EAST; KU PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Kutztown University women's basketball team was picked
to finish fourth in the Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference, as the preseason poll was announced Tuesday at the annual PSAC
media teleconference.


 

Preseason Poll


1

East Stroudsburg


2

West Chester


3

Millersville


4

Kutztown


5

Bloomsburg


6

Mansfield


7

Cheyney

Mercedes Van Wagner (sr. Mullica Hill, N.J./Clearview Regional), KU's
leading scorer and rebounder from last season, was given preseason All-PSAC
East honors.

"Mercedes should get the preseason nod," KU coach Janet Malouf said. "She
was second team all conference last year, she is the leading statistical
returner for our team this year in scoring, rebounding, block shots, the
whole nine yards."

Van Wagner averaged 11.2 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game. She also
had 43 blocked shots and shot 51.5 percent from the floor.

The Golden Bears, who look to make it to the postseason for the 11th time in
12 years, were selected to finish fourth in the conference behind East
Stroudsburg, West Chester and Millersville. Bloomsburg, Mansfield and
Cheyney were picked to finish fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

"It's nice that they picked us to finish fourth," Malouf said. "We have our
work cut out for us. The big thing is going to be taking care of the ball.
Last year, we could have been in the playoffs had we taken care of the ball.
If we do that, then I really think we have the team and scoring power that
we need to make the playoffs."

In the Western Division, Indiana (Pa.), last season's PSAC champion was
chosen to finish in first, with California (Pa.) and Edinboro in second and
third. Shippensburg, Clarion, Slippery Rock and Lock Haven followed.

Along with Van Wagner, KU will look to its youth - like freshmen Melissa
McQuade (fr. Pittsburgh/Shaler) and Meredith Starr (fr. Richmond,
Va./Monacan) - to step up and make some contributions.

"I'm very pleased with some of the freshmen," Malouf said. "Melissa McQuade
is going to do a nice job for us this year. And Meredith Starr is just
starting to pick it up and get used to the kind of level that college
basketball is. And Rachel Wisemiller (so. Hazleton/Hazleton) as a sophomore
is coming along, and so is Vivian Melvin (so. Chichester/Chichester)."

KU, which finished 9-17 overall and 5-7 in the PSAC East last season, opens
the season Friday at home against Bloomfield in the Maroon & Gold Classic.
It will be the first of 16 home games for the Golden Bears.

"I can't wait to play," Malouf said. "You get tired of practicing sometimes.
It's a lot of repetitions. The kids have to understand that you have to
repeat stuff to make sure you do it correctly and we do it right so we have
the best chance for success, but I think they're ready to play somebody
else."

KU will get the chance to do just that at 8 p.m. Friday. The game will
follow the tournament opener, which features Holy Family and Shepherd at 6
p.m. The Maroon & Gold Classic continues Saturday with Shepherd vs.
Bloomfield at 2 p.m. and KU vs. Holy Family at 4 p.m.

 

 

 

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Josh Leiboff

Kutztown University Sports Information

Phone: (610) 683-4182

Fax: (610) 683-4676

Email: leiboff at kutztown.edu

Website: http://www.kubears.com

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