Third-year head coach Misty Murphy hopes that a blend of seven returning players and six talented newcomers will help propel the University of Evansville women’s basketball team back to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference standings during the 2010-11 season. The Aces commence the year with an exhibition game Saturday versus Oakland City University. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. at Roberts Stadium, followed by the men’s exhibition contest against Kentucky Wesleyan at 7:05 p.m..
With the opportunity to try a variety of lineups, Coach Murphy looks forward to experimenting with different combinations in a game setting. “We hope to improve over the weekend more than anything. This early in the season you’re just trying to get better every day,” said Murphy.
“We’re really looking for improved communication, consistent intensity, and patience offensively,” she added. “Those are the things we need to get better at in order to get to the next level.”
Headlining UE’s returning cast is senior forward Stephanie Bamberger, a mainstay in the Purple Aces’ lineup during her Evansville career. Junior guard Jordan Lewis and junior forward and former Evansville Memorial High School standout Chelsea Falkenstein also return to provide veteran leadership to a young 2010-11 squad. Sophomore center Samantha Heck returns as UE’s top returning scorer from a year ago, while fellow sophomores Amber Boyd, Meagan Collins and Taylor Ware all hope to build off of solid rookie seasons a year ago.
Joining the UE cause this year is a talented group of six newcomers who should add firepower to the Purple Aces’ lineup. Junior guard Briyana Blair will see her first action as a Purple Ace this season, after spending her first two years at Atlantic Coast Conference member Miami. Fellow junior guard Staci Gillum also transfers to UE this season after winning back-to-back junior college National Championships as a consensus JUCO All-America selection at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa.
Former Evansville Harrison High School standout Khristian Hart will also team with fellow true freshmen Katie Ellerson (Muskego, Wis.), Miranda Liles (Killen, Ala.) and Hannah Weedman (Knoxville, Ill.) to form a solid freshman class for the Purple Aces. All four incoming freshmen earned state all-star status last year as high school seniors.
For those newcomers, Saturday will be the first time they will don the purple and orange uniforms, and with that always comes an excited energy on the court. “For us, getting some nervousness out will be important for those having their first experiences as collegiate athletes at UE,” said Murphy.
Oakland City, a Division I member of the National Christian College Athletic Association and Division II member of the NCAA, finished 9-15 last season. The Aces have played the Oaks in a preseason game dating back to 1970, with UE commanding the series, 21-5, including victories in the last eight meetings.
Fans can listen to the game live on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV, with live streaming video also available on AcesTV.
