Women's College Basketball: St. Edward's University: Season Preview
2015– 2016 season preview
women's basketball Head coach J.J. Riehl is entering her third season at the helm of the St. Edward’s women’s basketball team. After an exciting first year and a record-setting second year that included winning the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship and going to the national tournament for the first time in school history, expectations are high for the 2014–2015 team. The squad will look much different this year as it said goodbye to nine players from last year’s lineup and welcomes 10 newcomers. The new personnel will have a solid foundation to learn from, as the Hilltoppers return a strong nucleus of five individuals. This off-season’s additions provide the group with talent, depth and experience needed at each position. After reaching uncharted waters last season, this year’s team is eager to build on the successes of last year and add to the trophy case. “I am filled with anticipation and excitement to embark on this year’s journey,” Riehl said. “We have worked extremely hard as a staff and taken huge steps as a program to establish a winning tradition. We will continue to pursue excellence both in the classroom and on the court. Our team must not be complacent with last year’s accomplishments and must refuse mediocrity.” “I expect our returners, who embody our program values, to impart these behaviors onto the newcomers. If this happens, our team has a great opportunity to reach our goal of returning to the national tournament,” Riehl said.
THE TEAM With a strong core of players returning, including two starters, combined with the addition of 10 talented incoming players, all indicators point to a bright 2014–2015 campaign. With the departure of veteran point guard Stephanie Dekkers, incoming junior transfer Taylor Young (Royse City, Texas) and freshman Sydney Thomas (Katy, Texas) will compete for the starting job. Young arrives from Collin County Community College, where she started all 32 games, averaging 11.2 points and 4.6 assists per game last season. Thomas lacks collegiate experience but brings tremendous energy, exuberance and an eagerness to learn. The depth at the perimeter positions provides the Hilltoppers the ability to play the up-tempo style they are looking for. The Hilltoppers return their most important asset at the wing, Mileka Loydrake (Houston, Texas), who scored the most points (416) for St. Edward’s last season as a freshman. Loydrake also led the Hilltoppers to the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. The freshman also garnered recognition throughout the conference; she was named All-Heartland Conference honorable mention. Joining Loydrake on the wing is senior guard Jaimie Kadlecek (Smithville, Texas), who came on strong towards the end of last season. The sharpshooter will look to play a more consistent role this year, as she brings tenacity on the defensive end and is capable of knocking down the open three. Fellow senior Tomorrow Huff (Round Rock, Texas) has made great strides this offseason, and she hopes to
break into the rotation for the Hilltoppers. Also returning at the wing is Aimee Durbidge (Coffs Harbour, Australia), a redshirt last season. St. Edward’s is excited to see the Aussie in action, as she is the workhorse of the team and brings great effort and enthusiasm on a consistent basis. The Hilltoppers bring in four perimeter players who will display their talents in this season’s backcourt. Katy Boren (Lubbock, Texas) is a deadly shooter who transferred from McMurry. Boren saw action in 23 games last season and will provide a spark off the bench. Look for Kadlecek and Boren to be the threepoint specialists this season for the Hilltoppers. St. Edward’s also acquired another perimeter transfer in Clarissa Elizondo (Lubbock, Texas), who spent last season at Clarendon College, averaging 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest. Freshman newcomers Kayla Goebel (Glen Rose, Texas) and Essence Sauls (Austin, Texas) will also make contributions at the wing. Goebel scored over 1,000 points in her high school career and hopes to continue her offensive success on the hilltop. Meanwhile, Sauls will do the same, as she embodied a well-balanced high school game, averaging 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. The frontcourt for St. Edward’s should be a strong suit, as the Hilltoppers return senior forward Kathleen Brisbane (Kansas City, Kan.), who started all 28 games last season. Brisbane averaged 9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Brisbane is expected to have a dominant year at the forward position. Looking to battle Brisbane for the position will be transfer Khiani Clark (Round Rock, Texas) hailing from Division-I UT–Pan America. Clark played in 16 games for the Broncos and averaged 6.6 minutes. Clark will bring a physical presence to the paint for St. Edward’s. Competing for the other forward spot this year are three newcomers. Lexi Fatheree (Richmond, Texas) is the most anticipated signee this year as she transfers from Division-I Stephen F. Austin. Fatheree appeared in 22 games for the Lady Jacks and shot better than 43% from the field. She is a versatile player who can post players up, get to the rim off the bounce and shoot the three. It will not take long for the Heartland Conference to recognize this multitalented Hilltopper. Also, newly acquired forwards Ateh Ade (Baltimore, Mary.) and Haley Joly (Fremont, Calif.) will compete for time at the same spot. Ade is a junior transfer from Salt Lake Community College. She saw action in 29 games with an average of 8.1 points and 2.6 rebounds. Ade has the capability to bring tremendous length and size to the Hilltopper frontcourt. Joly is a freshman forward who has strong post moves and a contagious personality. She has the chance to bring tremendous energy off the bench.
Learn more about Hilltopper women’s basketball at: GoHilltoppers.com (continued, page 2)
2015–2016 season preview
women's basketball SCHEDULE The Hilltoppers start the 2014–2015 season at home in a huge regional matchup against Fort Lewis College. Then it’s a week of two non-conference games at home, including a battle with cross-town Huston–Tillotson, before heading out on the road for an exhibition against Division-I Stephen F. Austin. The Hilltoppers will spend Thanksgiving in Orlando, Fla., to take part in the Rollins Tipoff Classic. A home contest against area team Southwestern is the only home game in the month of December for the Hilltoppers. The next two weeks will provide good regional competition as the Hilltoppers hit the road and travel to Angelo State and Texas A&M–Kingsville. The week prior to Christmas signals the transition from non-conference to conference play for St. Edward’s as the team travels to Newman and Oklahoma Christian. St. Edward’s continues conference play in early 2015, hoping to make a run at the Heartland Conference Championship and a defense of the team’s Conference Tournament Championship. “As I’ve said every year, the schedule is just that, the schedule,” Riehl said. “It is simply a sheet of paper with 26 games listed on it and we aren’t going to get wrapped up in whom we play. As we talk about so frequently within our program, we have to have faith in our preparation and each other, focus on the current moment and most importantly we have to finish each and every moment. If we do these things, we will be successful.” “The Heartland Conference is in a completely new era, coming off one of the most successful years in conference history as we placed three teams in the NCAA Tournament,” Riehl said. “I look for the same type of overall success from the conference again this year. The days of the conference getting beaten up by regional competition are over. This conference will be extremely tough, highly competitive and extremely entertaining to watch as the season progresses.”
FINAL THOUGHTS With J.J. Riehl at the helm, the St. Edward’s women’s basketball team has generated a level of excitement that has not been seen in a while. “Last year’s team did a tremendous job of riding the momentum created by the previous team, and they took that momentum and ran with it, pushing our program forward to a whole new level. It is now the expectation that the 2014–2015 squad will do the same and maintain our high standard of excellence. In two short years, the expectations have gone from staying in the game, competing and hoping to win, to ‘we will win!’ The level of determination is higher than ever. With the addition of 10 new players, whose love for the game is only matched by their vision for our future, the team’s motivation and drive only intensify. I am really excited about coaching this group of young women and, as has become our custom, we will always strive to be ‘One Team … One Family … One Love.’”
women's basketball Head coach J.J. Riehl is entering her third season at the helm of the St. Edward’s women’s basketball team. After an exciting first year and a record-setting second year that included winning the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship and going to the national tournament for the first time in school history, expectations are high for the 2014–2015 team. The squad will look much different this year as it said goodbye to nine players from last year’s lineup and welcomes 10 newcomers. The new personnel will have a solid foundation to learn from, as the Hilltoppers return a strong nucleus of five individuals. This off-season’s additions provide the group with talent, depth and experience needed at each position. After reaching uncharted waters last season, this year’s team is eager to build on the successes of last year and add to the trophy case. “I am filled with anticipation and excitement to embark on this year’s journey,” Riehl said. “We have worked extremely hard as a staff and taken huge steps as a program to establish a winning tradition. We will continue to pursue excellence both in the classroom and on the court. Our team must not be complacent with last year’s accomplishments and must refuse mediocrity.” “I expect our returners, who embody our program values, to impart these behaviors onto the newcomers. If this happens, our team has a great opportunity to reach our goal of returning to the national tournament,” Riehl said.
THE TEAM With a strong core of players returning, including two starters, combined with the addition of 10 talented incoming players, all indicators point to a bright 2014–2015 campaign. With the departure of veteran point guard Stephanie Dekkers, incoming junior transfer Taylor Young (Royse City, Texas) and freshman Sydney Thomas (Katy, Texas) will compete for the starting job. Young arrives from Collin County Community College, where she started all 32 games, averaging 11.2 points and 4.6 assists per game last season. Thomas lacks collegiate experience but brings tremendous energy, exuberance and an eagerness to learn. The depth at the perimeter positions provides the Hilltoppers the ability to play the up-tempo style they are looking for. The Hilltoppers return their most important asset at the wing, Mileka Loydrake (Houston, Texas), who scored the most points (416) for St. Edward’s last season as a freshman. Loydrake also led the Hilltoppers to the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. The freshman also garnered recognition throughout the conference; she was named All-Heartland Conference honorable mention. Joining Loydrake on the wing is senior guard Jaimie Kadlecek (Smithville, Texas), who came on strong towards the end of last season. The sharpshooter will look to play a more consistent role this year, as she brings tenacity on the defensive end and is capable of knocking down the open three. Fellow senior Tomorrow Huff (Round Rock, Texas) has made great strides this offseason, and she hopes to
break into the rotation for the Hilltoppers. Also returning at the wing is Aimee Durbidge (Coffs Harbour, Australia), a redshirt last season. St. Edward’s is excited to see the Aussie in action, as she is the workhorse of the team and brings great effort and enthusiasm on a consistent basis. The Hilltoppers bring in four perimeter players who will display their talents in this season’s backcourt. Katy Boren (Lubbock, Texas) is a deadly shooter who transferred from McMurry. Boren saw action in 23 games last season and will provide a spark off the bench. Look for Kadlecek and Boren to be the threepoint specialists this season for the Hilltoppers. St. Edward’s also acquired another perimeter transfer in Clarissa Elizondo (Lubbock, Texas), who spent last season at Clarendon College, averaging 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest. Freshman newcomers Kayla Goebel (Glen Rose, Texas) and Essence Sauls (Austin, Texas) will also make contributions at the wing. Goebel scored over 1,000 points in her high school career and hopes to continue her offensive success on the hilltop. Meanwhile, Sauls will do the same, as she embodied a well-balanced high school game, averaging 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. The frontcourt for St. Edward’s should be a strong suit, as the Hilltoppers return senior forward Kathleen Brisbane (Kansas City, Kan.), who started all 28 games last season. Brisbane averaged 9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Brisbane is expected to have a dominant year at the forward position. Looking to battle Brisbane for the position will be transfer Khiani Clark (Round Rock, Texas) hailing from Division-I UT–Pan America. Clark played in 16 games for the Broncos and averaged 6.6 minutes. Clark will bring a physical presence to the paint for St. Edward’s. Competing for the other forward spot this year are three newcomers. Lexi Fatheree (Richmond, Texas) is the most anticipated signee this year as she transfers from Division-I Stephen F. Austin. Fatheree appeared in 22 games for the Lady Jacks and shot better than 43% from the field. She is a versatile player who can post players up, get to the rim off the bounce and shoot the three. It will not take long for the Heartland Conference to recognize this multitalented Hilltopper. Also, newly acquired forwards Ateh Ade (Baltimore, Mary.) and Haley Joly (Fremont, Calif.) will compete for time at the same spot. Ade is a junior transfer from Salt Lake Community College. She saw action in 29 games with an average of 8.1 points and 2.6 rebounds. Ade has the capability to bring tremendous length and size to the Hilltopper frontcourt. Joly is a freshman forward who has strong post moves and a contagious personality. She has the chance to bring tremendous energy off the bench.
Learn more about Hilltopper women’s basketball at: GoHilltoppers.com (continued, page 2)
2015–2016 season preview
women's basketball SCHEDULE The Hilltoppers start the 2014–2015 season at home in a huge regional matchup against Fort Lewis College. Then it’s a week of two non-conference games at home, including a battle with cross-town Huston–Tillotson, before heading out on the road for an exhibition against Division-I Stephen F. Austin. The Hilltoppers will spend Thanksgiving in Orlando, Fla., to take part in the Rollins Tipoff Classic. A home contest against area team Southwestern is the only home game in the month of December for the Hilltoppers. The next two weeks will provide good regional competition as the Hilltoppers hit the road and travel to Angelo State and Texas A&M–Kingsville. The week prior to Christmas signals the transition from non-conference to conference play for St. Edward’s as the team travels to Newman and Oklahoma Christian. St. Edward’s continues conference play in early 2015, hoping to make a run at the Heartland Conference Championship and a defense of the team’s Conference Tournament Championship. “As I’ve said every year, the schedule is just that, the schedule,” Riehl said. “It is simply a sheet of paper with 26 games listed on it and we aren’t going to get wrapped up in whom we play. As we talk about so frequently within our program, we have to have faith in our preparation and each other, focus on the current moment and most importantly we have to finish each and every moment. If we do these things, we will be successful.” “The Heartland Conference is in a completely new era, coming off one of the most successful years in conference history as we placed three teams in the NCAA Tournament,” Riehl said. “I look for the same type of overall success from the conference again this year. The days of the conference getting beaten up by regional competition are over. This conference will be extremely tough, highly competitive and extremely entertaining to watch as the season progresses.”
FINAL THOUGHTS With J.J. Riehl at the helm, the St. Edward’s women’s basketball team has generated a level of excitement that has not been seen in a while. “Last year’s team did a tremendous job of riding the momentum created by the previous team, and they took that momentum and ran with it, pushing our program forward to a whole new level. It is now the expectation that the 2014–2015 squad will do the same and maintain our high standard of excellence. In two short years, the expectations have gone from staying in the game, competing and hoping to win, to ‘we will win!’ The level of determination is higher than ever. With the addition of 10 new players, whose love for the game is only matched by their vision for our future, the team’s motivation and drive only intensify. I am really excited about coaching this group of young women and, as has become our custom, we will always strive to be ‘One Team … One Family … One Love.’”
