On Saturday, the Benedictine University women's basketball team will begin the 2014-2015 season. After a first round exit from the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament and a fifth-place finish in the conference standings last season, the Eagles have come into this year's campaign ready to work from day one.
 
"Our preseason conditioning program was phenomenal, as our kids are in great shape and have gained strength," explained Kristen Gillespie, who has guided the Eagles to the NACC Tournament in each of her first three seasons and Head Coach. "The first three weeks of practice have gone as well as it could with the amount of freshman that we have, as there is a lot of teaching to be done. I am really pleased, and I have never coached a group of kids that I enjoy more."
 
The number of freshman on the roster is the most in recent years, with ten newcomers joining nine returnees on this season's team. While relying on youth to contribute can be a challenge, Gillespie knows the amount of depth ultimately makes the team better.
 
"The depth completely changes the way we can play," explained Gillespie. "We are going to be much more up-tempo and try to force the issue on the defensive end with our pressure. Our team is more athletic at every position, as we can go two or three deep just about everywhere. There will be a lot of good players fighting for playing time, and it is a great problem to have."
 
While the depth will enhance the team, BenU's nine returning players figure to be the backbone. Five of those nine players are seniors: guards Meghan Novak, Michelle Batty, Vincenza Ranallo, and Lisa Kurth, and forward Kirsten Pope.
 
"They are the foundation of the culture that we have worked really hard to establish," said Gillaspie of her seniors. "They embody everything that we are trying to do. It's been really good with the number of freshman that we have, as they all have gravitated towards our seniors. Each one is a great role model for our young players, and they all have shown them the right way to do things."
 
Most of the veteran leadership exists in the backcourt. Novak (12.3 points per game, First Team All-NACC) and Ranallo (10.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 26 steals) return as the team's two leading scorers from last season, and both figure to be strong contributors from the wings once again. The Eagles also return both players who saw most of the minutes at point guard a season ago in junior Alanna Ferry (5.9 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 85 assists) and Batty (34 assists, 12-for-24 on three-pointers). Kurth and sophomore Rena Ranallo also return and will provide depth behind Novak and Vincenza Ranallo on the wings.
 
Gillaspie also knows the freshmen guards have a chance to contribute key minutes this season. Venita Parsons, Shannon Ryan, Raven Willis, Georgia Alexakos, Roxanna Gaddis, and Bre Sobotka make up a deep group that figures to make an impact in 2014-2015.
 
"Freshmen players are going to have great days and terrible days, and it's key to see who can stay the most even-keeled," said Gillaspie of her team's freshmen. "We do know that we have the chance to get some key contributions from the group of freshman that we have, and we need to for us to be successful."
 
In the frontcourt, the Eagles return junior Nicole Botich (4.0 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game), who broke into the starting lineup late last season and has made big strides in this year's pre-season. Gillaspie says the team has also seen more consistency out of junior center Briana Hamilton (8.2 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game), who was third in scoring on last year's team. Pope, who appeared in ten games last season, adds depth and toughness on the blocks.
 
Just like at the guard spots, BenU should see some freshmen contributions down low. Gillaspie is excited about Jasma Williams, DeKayla Crayton, Elizabeth Skaggs, and Alena Moro, as each one "brings something different to the table" and has a chance to help the team this season.
 
With the conference featuring a 20-game schedule once again, this season's NACC figures to be a battle each night. The NACC's preseason poll picked BenU to place fourth, but the Eagles feel they have a chance to make some noise this season.
 
"Overall, our conference is going to be competitive, especially in the top half," said Gillaspie. "We can definitely make a run at this if we stay healthy, and I love the kids that we have."
 
With nine returnees who have all seen the NACC Tournament each season as an Eagle, this season's team is as hungry as ever to advance to the Division III NCAA Tournament.
 
"Our team wants to win the conference and really believes in themselves heading into the season," Gillaspie explained. "Our five seniors want to go out on top, and our freshman came here to win, choosing our program based off of that goal. Everyone wants to have an impact on our success, and it's a contagious feeling in our program right now."
 
Women's basketball tips off in the Dan and Ada Rice Center on Saturday against Albion College at 4:00 p.m. Live audio, video, and statistics will be available at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/benu/ for Saturday and all home games this season.