Nov. 13, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. - With four starters and nine letterwinners returning, hopes are high at Villanova as the Wildcats prepare for the 2008-09 season. After winning just eight games with a young and inexperienced team two years ago, the team rebounded with 17 wins and trip to the WNIT last year. The only letterwinner who will not return this year is forward Stacie Witman who has been lost to graduation. Witman had a terrific senior season a year ago. She started all 33 games and finished second on the team in scoring with a 14.1 points per game average to go with 5.5 rebounds per game (second on team) and 2.6 assists per game (second on team). Witman also ranked second on the team in three-point field goals made with 67.

FORWARDS:

The top scoring threats for the Wildcats will come from the forward spots in the senior duo of Laura Kurz (6-1, Lower Gwynedd, Pa.) and Lisa Karcic (6-1, New Hyde Park, N.Y.). In her first season in a Wildcat uniform last year after transferring from Duke University, Kurz provided Villanova with much needed offensive output. Kurz, who has good post moves and shooting range that extends well beyond the three-point line, finished last year averaging a team-best 14.9 points per game and shooting a team-best 49.5 percent from the field (191-of-386) and a team-high 43.8 percent from three-point range (56-of-128). Kurz also led the Wildcats in rebounding with a 6.4 rebounds per game average. For her efforts last season, Kurz was a second team All-Big East selection.

Karcic is coming off a season where she finished third on the team in scoring at 12.2 points per game, in addition to leading the team in three-point field goals made with 77. She also led the Wildcats in blocks with 33 and steals with 43 and she was third on the squad in assists with 81. The biggest question surrounding Karcic centers around her health. In last year's Big East Tournament, Karcic suffered a torn ACL that forced her to miss all three games in the WNIT. Karcic is currently ahead of schedule with her rehab and looks on track to be 100 percent when the season tips-off in November.

The two reserves at forward look to be senior Briana Weiss (6-0, Piedmont, Calif.) and sophomore Amanda Swiezynski (6-0, Exeter, N.H.). Weiss is a fundamentally sound player with a high basketball IQ. Weiss' knowledge of the Villanova system will help her earn valuable minutes. One of her main strengths is the ability to shoot the ball from behind the arc. Swiezynski also possesses a strong basketball intellect with a feel for the game. Swiezynki, who will provide the Wildcats with strength along the frontline, averaged 8.5 minutes per game last season and looks to be in position to earn more playing time in 2008-09.

GUARDS:

Villanova will have the same guard rotation that they have had the last two seasons. The starters will be the junior tandem of Maria Getty (5-9, Centerville, Ohio) and Tia Grant (5-11, Lido Beach, N.Y.). Getty will start at the point, but will also see time at the shooting guard position. Getty has good basketball instincts and is one of the team's best three-point shooters. Last year, she finished fourth on the team in three-point field goals by connecting on 48-of-116 for 41.4 percent. She also led the team in assists with 97.

Grant is one of the team's best all-around athletes. Her combination of size and quickness can cause mismatch problems for opponents on offense and make her one of the team's top defenders. Grant came into her own late last season and should be poised for a breakout year in 2008-09.

The team's top reserve is senior point guard Siobhan O'Connor (5-6, West Chester, Pa.) A tireless worker, O'Connor continues to improve each season. Her tough-minded approach and high energy style of play make her one of the most valuable players on the Wildcat roster. O'Connor averaged 24.7 minutes per contest last season as a reserve and averaged 4.9 points per game to go with 65 assists and 35 three-point field goals.

Two other Wildcats expected to see time in the backcourt will be junior Kyle Dougherty (5-10, Sayre, Pa.) and redshirt freshman Sara Jones (5-7, Philadelphia, Pa.). Dougherty is an offensively skilled player with good ball handling skills. She should use her experience to earn playing time this year. Jones is a physical guard with a big upside. A good athlete with good basketball instincts, Jones will fight for playing time in 2008-09.

CENTER:

The center position will be held by sophomore Heather Scanlon (6-3, Drexel Hill, Pa.) and sophomore Shannon Elliott (6-2, Wilmington, Del.). Scanlon played as a true freshman in 2006-07, before redshirting the 2007-08 campaign. She used the year off to get in top shape and looks ready to be a contributor this season. Scanlon will provide the Wildcats with versatility at the center position. In addition to possessing strong post moves, Scanlon also has the ability to step outside and shoot the three-point shot. She also has very good passing skills.

Elliott earned valuable playing time last season as a redshirt freshman appearing in 28 games and averaging 8.5 minutes per contest. Elliott is an active player who plays hard all the time. A good rebounder, she also has shooting range that extends to the three-point line.

SCHEDULE:

The Wildcats will play a 30 game schedule that includes 16 Big East Conference games, four Philadelphia Big Five contests and 10 non conference contests. Villanova will open the season on Friday, Nov. 14, when the Wildcats play host to Big Five rival La Salle. The Wildcats then travel to Fairfield and Penn. Following a week off, Villanova will spend the Thanksgiving holiday in the Virgin Islands participating in the Paradise Jam Tournament. In the Virgin Islands, the Wildcats will take on Wisconsin, nationally ranked Baylor and Central Florida.

Following the Paradise Jam, Villanova returns to the states to play two of three on the road. The `Cats play at Saint Joseph's on Dec. 4, host Lehigh on Dec. 7 and travel to Binghamton on Dec. 10. After a 10 day break for final exams, Villanova opens a homestand of four straight games versus Temple, Delaware, Sacred Heart and Monmouth. The only other non conference game on the schedule is a trip to George Washington in mid-January.

In Big East play, Villanova will play home games against Rutgers, West Virginia, Notre Dame, St. John's, DePaul, Louisville and South Florida. The Wildcats will travel to Big East foes Cincinnati, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Georgetown. Villanova will play home and home with Providence.