Lady Seahawks Look to Sink a Three-peat

By: Julie Pearson
Posted In: * Reindeer Games *

Two Commonwealth Coast championships, a 15-home-game winning streak, and nine female athletes: Those words describe the Salve Regina University women’s basketball team, and they’re out this season to defend it all. The Lady Seahawks hit their home court for the first time this semester in early December to battle league rival, the University of New England (UNE). UNE was one of Salve’s two league losses last year, and the Seahawks are out to avenge.

“We’re looking for a three-peat,” said head coach Amanda Van Voorhis. The Seahawks seem to be headed that way as they’ve opened this year’s season with a 3-1 record. Their one loss was suffered at the hands of Eastern Connecticut State, a team ranked No. 1 in the nation. “We’re playing more challenging non-conference teams that will give us the competition we’ll face in the NCAA,” said Van Voorhis.

Van Voorhis describes her team as very young, but focused and goal oriented. She believes that the team is better than last year’s and that they have excellent chances of capturing the CCC Championship once again. Last year’s team of seven first-year students has a year’s more experience and growth, which she believes will help propel the Seahawks to victory.

“We’re a family,” said Kelli Miklovich, the junior captain for the Seahawks. Miklovich sees her team working well together. “We are offensively minded. However we get the job done on defense as well,” said Miklovich. Despite the loss of one strong senior, a returning team with two new strong first-year players sees the CCC championship as a very real reality. Miklovich also finds that the team has come a long way this semester. New assistant coach Beth Gemma, a Salve ’95 graduate, stepped up to the plate and has opened up to the team with her coaching abilities and communication skills.

Sophomore guard Kelly Mallon strongly agrees with Van Voorhis when asked about the chances of winning yet another championship. “If we play to our potential, we’re nasty!” said Mallon. Mallon, a starter, believes that the fans are an important part of the game and intensity. The roar of a crowd, stamping feet, and clapping hands seem to bring something extra to the game. She cites rattling opponents and intensifying the team as the pros to a large and dedicated fan base. Miklovich finds that fans bring a certain atmosphere to the gym. They bring energy and motivation that pump up the team.

Van Voorhis agrees with Mallon and Miklovich, and hopes to see more fans at this year’s games.

Efforts have been made to draw crowds, such as half-time shooting contests for both the women’s and men’s teams, with raffles and prizes such as free pizzas. Van Voorhis credits Bart Carithers, director of student activities and the student center, for helping to recruit a large fan base by hanging posters around campus and encouraging attendance. Games are heavily attended by parents, teachers, professors, and friends of the team members, while the general population of the student body is slow to attend until the team reaches championships and the NCAA tournament.

This year’s team is led by junior captain Kelli Miklovich and sophomore captain Lindsay Frederick. Team members include junior Ally Chester and sophomores Jennifer Leahy, Kendra Lee, Kelly Mallon, and Meaghan Stapleton. Rounding off the team are first-year students Meghan Barry and Margaret O’Brien.

Last year the Seahawks finished a 25-4 season with a young team of seven first-year students, three sophomores, and one senior. Their two conference losses fell at the hands of the University of New England and Curry College. The Seahawks defeated Gordon College to win the CCC and later lost to Emmanuel College in the first round of the NCAA tournament. This year’s three victories attained by the team were against Babson College, Trinity College and Western New England College.