LADY MONARCH BASKETBALL

NOVEMBER 16, 2006

KING'S WOMEN OPEN AT MARYMOUNT TOURNEY

ARLINGTON, VA -- The King's College women's basketball team will open its season Friday at 1:30 p.m. when the Lady Monarchs face SUNY-Oswego in the first-round of the prestigious eight-team, three-day Marymount Tip-Off Classic in Arlington, Va.

King's will to to make its 13th straight appearance in the post-season as the Lady Monarchs return several players from their 2005-06 squad that finished 13-13 after falling to eventual Division III "Final Four" qualifier Scranton in the semi-finals of the Freedom Conference playoffs.

The Lady Monarchs of second-year coach Brian Donoghue will have a difficult opener against a talented Oswego squad that won the State University of New York Athletic Conference a year ago and reached the NCAA Division III National playoffs. The Lakers fell in the first round by a 73-69 count to Baldwin Wallace, an eventual "Elite Eight" qualifier, to finish their season at 21-7.

The remainder of the field includes Alvernia, Richard Stockton, Gettysburg, Mount St. Mary, and Wesley, in addition to tournament hosts Marymount University.

Marymount and Richard Stockton were also 2006 NCAA Division III National Tournament qualifiers.

Leading the list of veterans is junior 6-0 center Andrea Hochstuhl who enjoyed a fine sophomore year, her first as a starter, by averaging 10.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per-game. She will be joined by returning starting 5-7 junior point-guard Lauren Kendra who averaged 5.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 steals while providing solid defense.

Sophomore 5-8 shooting guard Kaitlyn Fiorino proved to be one of the top rookies in the conference last year, averaging 10.1 points per-game while canning 53 three-pointers, the second highest season total in King's history. Junior 5-6 shooting guard Jenna Palumbo got off to a slow start after an early-season illness and improved weekly until a broken nose at the end of the season affected her game. Still, Palumbo averaged 6.2 points and hit 38 treys while starting seven of 26 games.

Senior 5-9 small forward Casey Heitman started 14 games and averaged 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. Other returnees eyeing increased roles are 5-3 sophomore point-guard Andrea Carroll and 5-10 sophomore forward Sarah Darling.

Newcomers looking to make an impact include 5-9 freshman Jessica Pattie, a versatile performer who can play point-guard, off-guard, or small forward. Freshman Lauren Mazzola, a 5-10 long-range threat, can play either off-guard or small forward. Krystina Durako, a rugged 5-10 rookie power forward, will add inside depth.

One player of intrigue is athletic 5-11 freshman forward Kaitlyn Malshefski who joined the team late after starring on King's volleyball team where she earned all-conference honors as a rookie. Malshefski, a starter at Nanticoke Area High School, one of the top teams in the state in 2005-06, could make an impact once she becomes more familiar with King's system.

Junior transfer Johnna Strenchock (Marymount) and sophomore walk-ons Julie Bidwell and Ann Kaluzavich are all looking to see time at guard.

Tournament Schedule

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17

GAME #1 King's vs. Oswego, 1:30 pm

GAME #2 Alvernia vs. Richard Stockton, 3:30 pm

GAME #3 Gettysburg vs. Mt. St. Mary, 5:30 pm

GAME #4 Wesley vs. Marymount, 7:30 pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18

GAME #5 Loser #1 vs. Loser #2, 11 am

GAME #6 Loser #3 vs. Loser #4, 1 pm

GAME #7 Winner #1 vs. Winner #2, 3 pm

GAME #8 Winner #3 vs. Winner #4, 5 pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

GAME #9 Loser #5 vs. Loser # 6, 9:30 am (7th & 8th place)

GAME#10 Winner #5 vs. Winner #6, 11:30 am (4th & 6th place)

GAME#11 Loser #7 vs. Loser #8, 1:30 pm (3rd & 5th place)

GAME#12 Winner #7 vs. Winner #8, 3:30 pm (Championship game)