Notre Dame, IN. Beginning her 7th year as the Holy Cross College head women’s basketball coach, Aimee Niespodziany is excited about the upcoming season. Coach Niespodziany has brought in some talented newcomers to go along with key returners, to help propel the Saints to the top of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Saints return two All-CCAC players in senior Tagin Schultheis and junior Keysha Streater.
“We will look for Tagin and Keysha to be our leaders, both on and off the court, again this season,” said coach Niespodziany on the two leaders. “They both have put in a lot of work in the offseason, and should have very impactful years for us.”
Schultheis will look to build on her already great career here at Holy Cross. Over three years, the senior has started 76 of 87 games while averaging 13.3 points and four assists. For her efforts last season, Schultheis was named CCAC Honorable Mention All-Conference for the second straight year.
Leading scorer, Keysha Streater returns for her junior year after stellar freshman and sophomore campaigns. Streater will again be called upon to be a force inside. For her career, she has averaged 12.4 points and 6.3 rebounds; and after last season was named to the CCAC Honorable Mention All-Conference team.
Senior Jessica Majors, in her second year with the program after transferring from South Suburban College, will look to increase her role after missing last season due to an injury.
Junior Jessica Norris will continue to be the Saints outside shooting threat, as she shot 38% from three last season, which put in 6th place in the CCAC. Fellow junior, Eryn Leek who averaged 2.6 assists per game, will be called upon again to be the primary ball handler for the Saints. Junior guard, Alex Forster, who started 14 games last season, will also contribute in the backcourt. Standing 6’3, Kaelyn Barlow will continue to be a low post threat, as well as Junior Raven Delph, who averaged 3.0 points to go along with 3.0 rebounds. Guards Kelsie Kujat and Madison Tomblin return for their sophomore and junior years, respectfully, and will look to have a bigger role after gaining valuable experience last season.
The Saints bring in a solid recruiting class, featuring some talented freshmen and an experienced transfer. Freshmen Cameron Schultheis and Anna Barlow, both of whom have sisters on the team, will look to make their way into the rotation. St. Joseph’s College transfer Brooke Sterkowitz will be called upon to make an immediate impact for the Saints.
Women’s basketball will open up their 2017-2018 season when they host Grace College today, Friday, October 20 at 5:00pm. The Saints will begin their CCAC play when they travel to St. Xavier University on Wednesday, November 20.
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