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Clarkson University Athletics

Women's Basketball 11/14/2016 11:38:00 AM November 14, 2016

CU Women's Basketball Preview - 2016-17

Two seasons into her tenure as head coach for the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team, Maureen Webster has led the Golden Knights to two Liberty League playoff berths and an NCAA appearance thanks to last year's conference title. With four starters returning and additional depth coming from the bench, Clarkson will be vying for another championship in a league that could once again be a toss-up with several talented teams looking to dethrone the Knights in 2016-17.

Clarkson graduated only two players from last year's team, but one was the conference's Co-Player of the Year in Ashley Loggins and the other was a key forward off the bench in Colleen Daley. That said, the Knights have four starters coming back and that group played 65% of the total minutes (3643 out of 5600) in 2015-16. The starting backcourt is back in the junior tandem of Devin Sorell and Madison Shea. Sorell led the conference in 3-pointers made with 71, which ranked in a tie for 24th nationally, and averaged 15.3 points per game as she was chosen a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star. Shea's value lies in her all around ability to score, rebound, defend and find the open player. She ranked seventh in the league in assists (3.1 apg) and also was third in the conference in steals (2.5 spg) while also averaging 8.5 points and 4.3 boards per contest.

Clarkson is a guard-oriented team that relies on constant pressure and defensive mayhem to force its opponents' into mistakes. That method worked well in 2015-16 as the team ranked highly in steals (363, 13th nationally), steals per game (12.96, 15th), turnover-margin (+6.75, 18th) and turnovers forced per game (22.6, 27th). No player epitomized that style more than senior Stephanie Grobe (10.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.5 apg), the conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Year. While Grobe doesn't put up gaudy numbers in the steals or blocks categories, her suffocating defense rarely allows her opposite number to score. Classmate Alyssia Marsal kicks in 8.5 points and a team-best 5.8 rebounds per game, while also contributing to the team's unselfishness with 55 assists and stifling defense with 45 steals.

While Clarkson relied upon its starters more than any other team in the conference, its bench was more than capable when called upon. Second-year guards Raeanna Dunn, Kati Gotch, Tricia Loso and Claire Chaisson all enjoyed solid performances throughout the year, and senior forward Kathleen Coloney will certainly be counted upon to replace Daley as the team's shot blocker in the paint.

Three newcomers add to the guard depth for the Golden Knights. Freshmen Molly Stewart, Ashley Hill and Hannah Isaacson should all see plenty of time in their first seasons as collegians.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Colleen Daley: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#11 Ashley Loggins: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#32 Kathleen Coloney: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#15 Raeanna Dunn: G; 5' 4"; Junior

#13 Kati Gotch: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#21 Stephanie Grobe: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#2 Tricia Loso: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#22 Alyssia Marsal: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#10 Madison Shea: G; 5' 6"; Junior

#24 Devin Sorell: G; 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#20 Colleen Daley
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#11 Ashley Loggins
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#32 Kathleen Coloney
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#15 Raeanna Dunn
: 5' 4"; Junior
: G

#13 Kati Gotch
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#21 Stephanie Grobe
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#2 Tricia Loso
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#22 Alyssia Marsal
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#10 Madison Shea
: 5' 6"; Junior
: G

#24 Devin Sorell
: 5' 3"; Junior
: G