New coach, same talent

The EMU women’s basketball team has jumped full force into their preseason practice, and with new coach Richard McElwee they hope to perform as well as last year when they made their presence known in the ODAC.

The Lady Royals stormed to a 19-7 record in 2002-2003, the best in years. This season’s squad is a thin one, with junior Shantee Bryant the most experienced player. The team is comprised of ten total women, five of them sophomores and four freshmen.

Coach McElwee, who has 20 years of high school experience coaching men and women’s hoops under his belt, is excited for the season to get underway.

"In practice so far the ladies have impressed me with their resolve and work ethic," said McElwee, a Bath County, Va. native. "I plan to play to our strengths, to emphasize them as much as possible, and improve the aspects that may be weaker."

The hoopster’s main assets are their returnees. EMU will see six of last year’s fifteen veterans once again lace up their sneakers and lead the team. Sophomores Stephanie Matthews and Carrie Grandstaff both garnered Second Team All-ODAC honors last year, and Laura Ludholtz and Amanda Renalds will complement them as starters. Bryant and Gina Sours bring experience to a team who will greatly benefit from it.

McElwee is quick to give credit to his quartet of freshmen, new and possibly uncertain arrivals to college life and college athletics.

"There have been some growing pains with the rookies so far with their classload and now practices on top of it," said McElwee. "They are adjusting well, though, and the upperclassmen are helping them along and are available if any needs ever arise."

"We are working to incorporate them into the program, and things are going well."

The Lady Royals open their season November 21st, when they will EMU Tip-off Classic. They are scheduled to play their first game at 8:00p.m Friday the 21st against Shenandoah University. They will take the court again the next day at 4:00p.m. against LaRouche College, a school from Pittsburgh, Pa. Above all, Coach McElwee wants to be unified as a team.

"We want to do it the right way, and for that to happen we need to be one unit, one whole. We can accomplish much that way."