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Clarkson University Athletics

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Women's Basketball November 13, 2015

CU Women's Basketball Preview 2015-16

After years of strong recruiting classes, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team enjoyed a rapid ascendance in the Liberty League standings in 2014-15. With the majority of the team back for this winter the Golden Knights are gearing up to prove that their 18-8 record and 11 wins in the conference last season were no flukes.

Clarkson doubled its win total from the previous year last winter and gained admittance to their first conference tournament since the league changed its moniker in 2004-05. Second-year head coach Maureen Webster and first-year assistant Brooke Butkovsky have six players returning from last year's team that led the Liberty League in several offensive categories and the Golden Knights will look to continue their scoring barrage in 2015-16.

Clarkson Picked Third in Liberty League Preseason Coaches' Poll, Garnering One First-Place Vote (Liberty League Release)

Not only did Clarkson lead the league in scoring (71.2 ppg), field goal percentage (39.8%), and free throw percentage (31.3%), but the team also enjoyed the largest turnover margin (4.96 tpg) in the league by forcing the most turnovers (19.6 tpg) and leading the league in steals (10.85 spg).

Though the team will certainly miss the 3-point prowess of the recently graduated Cara Manfredi, as well as the grittiness of Butkovsky who decided to forego her final season of eligibility to serve as assistant coach, the Green and Gold return a strong core that should continue to light up the scoreboard. Senior forward Ashley Loggins, a three-time Liberty League All-Star, averaged 15.7 points per game last year and currently has the highest scoring average in program history at 15.99 points per contest. Already among the all-time leaders at Clarkson in numerous categories, Loggins has a chance to become the all-time leading scorer and all-time leading rebounder by season's end, and could also push up to second in free throws made, field goals made and steals. The only other senior on the roster is forward Colleen Daley, who missed the final two-thirds of last year with an injury. A formidable defensive player, Daley is among the program's all-time leader in blocked shots.

Joining Loggins and Daley in the frontcourt will be juniors Alyssia Marsal and Kathleen Coloney. Marsal ranked in the top 20 in the league in rebounding last year, posting 5.6 rebounds and 6.0 points per game in her second season. Coloney is the team's second six-footer besides Daley, and is a transfer from Jefferson Community College.

The front court should have ample depth as well with junior Stephanie Grobe and sophomores Madison Shea and Devin Sorell returning. Grobe was one of the better all-around players in the conference last year, averaging 10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game to go along with 21 steals and 19 blocks. Shea proved more than capable of running the team's offense and produced solid averages of 6.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. The first-year collegian also shot 79.6% from the free throw line, a rate that would have led the league had she enough attempts to qualify. Sorell provided instant offense off the bench for the Knights, making 26 3-pointers and averaging 8.4 points per game, a figure that swelled to 9.7 points in conference games which included a career-high 21 against William Smith.

Clarkson's backcourt will be bolstered by several newcomers. Raeanna Dunn spent last spring with the softball team but decided it was time to return to the hardwood this winter. Joining her as first-year collegians are Tricia Loso, Kati Gotch and Claire Chaisson, all standing 5-8 or taller. 
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Players Mentioned

Brooke Butkovsky

#32 Brooke Butkovsky

F
5' 10"
Senior
Cara Manfredi

#13 Cara Manfredi

G
5' 6"
Senior
Colleen Daley

#20 Colleen Daley

F
6' 1"
Senior
Stephanie Grobe

#21 Stephanie Grobe

G
5' 10"
Junior
Ashley Loggins

#11 Ashley Loggins

F
5' 10"
Senior
Alyssia Marsal

#22 Alyssia Marsal

F
5' 10"
Junior
Madison Shea

#10 Madison Shea

G
5' 6"
Sophomore
Devin Sorell

#24 Devin Sorell

G
5' 3"
Sophomore
Tricia Loso

#2 Tricia Loso

G
5' 8"
Freshman
Kati Gotch

#13 Kati Gotch

G
5' 8"
Freshman
Raeanna Dunn

#15 Raeanna Dunn

G
5' 4"
Sophomore
Kathleen Coloney

#32 Kathleen Coloney

F
6' 0"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Brooke Butkovsky

#32 Brooke Butkovsky

5' 10"
Senior
F
Cara Manfredi

#13 Cara Manfredi

5' 6"
Senior
G
Colleen Daley

#20 Colleen Daley

6' 1"
Senior
F
Stephanie Grobe

#21 Stephanie Grobe

5' 10"
Junior
G
Ashley Loggins

#11 Ashley Loggins

5' 10"
Senior
F
Alyssia Marsal

#22 Alyssia Marsal

5' 10"
Junior
F
Madison Shea

#10 Madison Shea

5' 6"
Sophomore
G
Devin Sorell

#24 Devin Sorell

5' 3"
Sophomore
G
Tricia Loso

#2 Tricia Loso

5' 8"
Freshman
G
Kati Gotch

#13 Kati Gotch

5' 8"
Freshman
G
Raeanna Dunn

#15 Raeanna Dunn

5' 4"
Sophomore
G
Kathleen Coloney

#32 Kathleen Coloney

6' 0"
Junior
F