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 Email this story to a friend  Head Coach Mark Ehlen and the Rockets return seven letterwinners, including two starters in 2002-03. |
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The preseason favorite to win both the 2001-02 Mid-American Conference West Division title and conference tournament crown, the Rockets experienced a roller coaster ride and finished 17-11 overall and 12-4 in league play. The Midnight Blue and Gold suffered its earliest exit in the MAC Tournament in 14 years after being upset by sixth-seeded Northern Illinois in the quarterfinals. UT, which had played in eight straight MAC Championship games and 10 of the past 11, lost three of its final four games.
"We had an interesting season," Head Coach Mark Ehlen said. "It started with the highest of highs and ended with the lowest of lows. I was disappointed in how our season ended, but I don't want to beat a dead horse. We weren't used to that kind of finish, but I am confident we will bounce back this season."
Toledo opened the season with a stunning 71-65 victory over then-No. 4 Duke in Savage Hall and was ranked 24th in the Nov. 19th Associated Press poll.
"After the win over Duke, I felt we went into a lull and weren't mentally hungry enough, but then we played well in the MAC," Ehlen said. "We didn't finish the way we wanted to, but that's how life is sometimes.
"Our program certainly has a formidable challenge in front of it now, and I like the fact that we have to work hard to get back to the top. That is why I'm excited for this upcoming season."
New challenges and goals await this year's Toledo team. Gone from last year's squad are three starters - Courtney Risinger, Melantha Herron and Shekinah Brazzle, as well as Kristen Weddle.
Still, the Rockets return seven letterwinners, including two starters in 2002-03, who are committed to ensuring that the Toledo standard of excellence is not compromised. Toledo also ushers in a new era with the addition of four talented and versatile freshmen.
Seniors Teresa Kahle and Tia Davis will clearly be the leaders of this year's team. The two returning starters from a year ago are ready to step to the forefront and take command of the team. While the spotlight last season shined on Risinger and Herron, the focus this season will be the leadership of Kahle and Davis and how they help the younger players adjust to the college game.
While it is expected that Kahle and Davis will again be in the starting lineup, the other three positions appear open. Heading into the preseason, Toledo will have 10 players vying for those three spots. The opportunity should foster a great deal of competition for playing time.
The following is a breakdown of the Rockets by position:
Frontcourt
Toledo will look to showcase 6-3 sophomore Karin Hoogendam's (St. Catharines, ONT) shot-blocking talents in the middle. The Rocket center played well during the second half of last season and commanded an inside presence when she was in the game. Hoogendam led the Rockets and was second in the MAC in blocked shots, averaging 1.36 swats per game. She also led UT in field goal percentage, shooting 48.9 percent (43-of-88) from the floor. She blocked two or more shots on 13 occasions.
"It is always a big jump from your freshman to sophomore year," Ehlen said. "Hopefully Karin will have that jump cleared, because she can really help us in terms of being an inside presence offensively and defensively."
With the loss of Risinger's outside shooting accuracy, UT's inside game takes on a greater dimension and importance at the start of the season. Returning starter and senior Teresa Kahle (Lima, OH) will certainly become a key factor in the lineup. The 6-foot-0 forward netted 10.6 points a year ago and was the team's second-leading rebounder as she averaged 6.5 caroms per game. She also averaged a team-high 33.9 minutes per game.
"Teresa is the heart of this team," Ehlen said. "Nobody plays harder or is tougher. We are going to need great leadership from her."
Junior Julie Hillis (London, ONT) gives Toledo depth and experience in the frontcourt. She appeared in 15 games off the bench in 2001-02, averaging 6.2 minutes and 1.3 points per game. Hillis looks to have her best season yet in her junior campaign. Ehlen hopes she will be able to contribute more offensively and continue her strong work on the boards.
"Julie has worked harder than anybody this past off-season," Ehlen said. "She really improved her shooting and strength, and could really help us this year."
Freshman Amanda Davis (Cincinnati, OH) may be as versatile as any player on the Rocket roster. In high school, she played on the wing or in the post. Davis has good size and is a solid inside and outside shooting threat. She averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game in her final scholastic season, en route to District 16 (Southwest Ohio) Player of the Year and second-team all-state recognition. A two-time Cincinnati Hills League Player of the Year, Davis led her team to a 24-2 record as a senior and to a state final four appearance.
"Amanda has tremendous potential," Ehlen said. "She runs and jumps well, has a nice shooting touch, is a good passer and really finishes well inside. She'll see playing time this season because she is such a versatile athlete."
Backcourt
Toledo's backcourt posesses versatility, athleticism and experience. Ehlen looks to once again get solid productivity from his guards and swing players.
A starter as a freshman, junior Mary Blessing (Indianapolis, IN) is anxious get back into the starting lineup this season. The 5-foot-9 point guard came off the bench for the last 19 games of last season and averaged 3.4 points and 2.3 assists per game. She is one of the team's most athletic and talented players and has displayed solid play for two seasons at both ends of the court.
"I'm looking for Mary to have a great season," Ehlen said. "She is a real solid player who does everything well. She is a good quarterback on the floor. I also think this year she is going to shoot the ball better than she ever has."
As one of two seniors on the team, Tia Davis (Kokomo, IN) is unquestionably one of the leaders of this year's Rockets. A combination of a small forward and guard, the 5-10 product of Kokomo High School averaged 11.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest last season. She is Toledo's most versatile and athletic player and excels at both ends of the court. She can score points in a number of different ways, either as a perimeter shooter or by driving to the basket.
"We are going to look for Tia to provide great leadership in terms of her poise on the floor," Ehlen said. "She is going to make a lot of big plays for us. Tia is a terrific defender and rebounder for us, as well as an offensive threat. She had an outstanding spring and her keys for a standout senior year are to maintain consistency and stay healthy."
Kelly Walker (Sterling, MI), a versatile junior wing player, will be looked upon for an increased role in 2002-03. Last season, Walker proved to be one of the MAC's top reserves. She ranked fifth on the team in scoring (7.2 ppg) and assists (1.1 apg). Walker reached double figures in scoring nine times, including a career-best 19 against Akron.
Walker gives the Rockets depth and quickness in the backcourt and fits in nicely with Ehlen's transition style of play.
"Kelly is a player I think is capable of doing some very good things this season," Ehlen said. "She had some great games for us as a sophomore. Now what we need is her to develop that consistency game-in-and-game out as a junior."
Freshmen Leah Gonnella (Spokane, WA), Lexee McDonnell (Garnett, KS) and Crystal Young (Detroit, MI) are expected to make immediate contributions. Gonnella and McDonnell give Toledo two solid outside shooting threats left void by the graduation of Risinger, while Young will battle Blessing at point guard.
Gonnella, a 5-foot-7 guard, was a three-time All-Greater Spokane League performer and a three-time recipient of her team's "Best Offensive Player" award. She averaged 17.8 points as a senior en route to being selected first-team all-region, team MVP and honorable mention all-state.
"Leah has great range from the outside," Ehlen said. "She can really shoot the ball well. We're excited for what she can bring to us."
McDonnell, a 5-foot-11 guard, averaged 20.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals as a senior en route to earning first-team Class 4A all-state honors and second-team, All-Kansas all class honors. The Anderson County High School's Bulldog of the Year, McDonell was her school's career leading scorer with 1,441 points and was a nominee for the McDonald's All-America team.
"Lexee can do a lot of things well," Ehlen said. "She has good size. She can hit the three, as well as take the ball to the basket. She can rebound and post up."
Young, 5-foot-6 point guard, was a four- time All-Catholic League selection and earned first-team all-state Class C as a junior and senior. She averaged 12.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 8.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game in her final scholastic year en route to an undefeated state championship season.
"Crystal is a little bit of a jet," Ehlen said. "She will be an energizer for this team, especially with her tenacious defense. Crystal can also get by people to create. She can hit the open shot and will be a very good player for us."
Schedule
Toledo will possibly face five teams that participated in postseason play last year in its 2002-03 non-conference schedule. The Mid-American Conference's regular-season schedule is expected to be released at a later date.
The Rockets are slated to face three 2002 NCAA Tournament teams (Tennessee Tech, Pepperdine and Cincinnati) and two 2002 NIT Tournament teams (Michigan State and DePaul) prior to beginning Mid-American Conference play.
Ehlen believes the opponents in the upcoming non-conference slate will serve as quality preparation for the Midnight Blue and Gold in its quest to return to the NCAA Tournament.
"Our non-conference schedule should prepare us well for the conference season," Ehlen said. "We always want to challenge our team. Facing possibly five teams that played in the postseason last year, including four on the road, will help us get ready for the battles we face in our conference season."
After hosting two exhibition games in early November, the season will officially tip off Saturday, Nov. 23, when the Rockets host Iona.
The Rockets' home schedule also includes games vs. Massachusetts (Dec. 1), IUPU-Fort Wayne (Dec. 4), DePaul (Dec. 14) and Hampton (Dec. 21).
Over Christmas break, Toledo will venture to Malibu, CA to participate in the Pepperdine Tournament on Dec. 28-29.
UT's remaining non-conference schedule includes road games at Youngstown State (Dec. 7), Duquesne (Dec. 9) and NCAA qualifier Cincinnati (Jan. 4).
