The Misericordia women's basketball team enters their second season as a member of the Freedom Conference and their sixth under head coach Tom Griffith. Last year, the Cougars finished 13-13 overall and earned a conference playoff berth.

Four players return from last season's squad: senior Vanessa Wright, junior Courtney Sykes and sophomores Christine Marks and Jesse Robinson. Each one brings a different aspect to the court, and all will be counted on heavily this season.

Marks was the team's most efficient shooter last season, putting up impressive averages in all three categories (39.2 fg%, 37.0 3-pt% and 81.8 ft%). This season she will be counted on to provide a bigger presence underneath the basket. “Christine has improved her post play tremendously,” said Griffith. “She's no longer just a threat to shoot from the perimeter.”

Wright started 24 games last year (averaging 6.2 points per game) and will play an important role at both ends of the floor. “Vanessa brings great energy to the team,” said Griffith. “She's a real defensive stopper.”

Sykes, who averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season, brings the ability to shoot the ball from deep. “Courtney will be counted on to guard both post and perimeter players this year,” said Griffith.

Robinson led the team with 62 steals in 2008-09, and also contributed 8.8 ppg. “Jess defends very well, and is a threat to take it to the basket every time she touches the ball,” said Griffith.

Also returning is junior Bernadette Guy, who missed last season due to illness.

With only five players on the roster holding previous NCAA experience, the Cougars will need to rely on their freshman class. This group is led by guard Tyann McDaniel, a solid shooter who will also take over running the MU offense.

“Tyann is going to be thrown into the fire,” said Griffith. “She's going to have to step in immediately and run the show as our point guard.”

Other freshmen include Katie Drayton, Alivia Richter, Kayla Sileo and Caitlin Sweeney. The 2009-10 rookie class will be counted on to provide depth throughout the season.

“We'll be incredibly young, so our success will depend on how quickly the freshmen develop,” said Griffith. “They are still adjusting to the huge gap between playing in high school and playing in college.”

Despite the inexperience, Coach Griffith refuses to temper expectations for the 2009-10 season. “We want to play in the postseason and win the Freedom Conference,” he said. “Our goals are never set lower than championships and postseason appearances.”

This year's schedule sees the Cougars travel to Susquehanna and Lycoming for tournaments, in addition to a Freedom Conference schedule that is challenging top-to-bottom and includes several opponents in close proximity to Dallas, PA.

“Our local rivalries are developing nicely,” said Griffith. “King's and Wilkes are always big games as we are right in each other's backyards. All conference games are very important though.”

With a smaller roster than previous seasons, in terms of both size and numbers, Misericordia will need to play to their strengths, which include getting to the free throw line and knocking down shots from the outside. Most important however, is on the defensive end.

“We have always prided ourselves on our great defense and that will continue,” said Griffith.