Season Outlook Video  |  2013-14 Huskies Roster  |  2013-14 Huskies Schedule

When the Bloomsburg University women's basketball team last played at Nelson Fieldhouse, it came as one of the most memorable days in program history. The Huskies capped off their second-ever PSAC championship in front of their second packed house in as many nights, knocking off nationally-ranked powers Edinboro and Gannon in back-to-back games.
           
This year's group has the same goal of returning to those heights, but the fans at Nelson will see a new group of Huskies in a changing of the guard when Bloomsburg opens its home schedule vs. Millersville on Nov. 20.
           
Last year's squad finished 24-6 including a 17-5 mark against conference competition, winning the last nine games of the regular season before falling to IUP in the first round of the NCAA Atlantic Regional.

After graduating five seniors from last year's team, including four starters from a group which posted a 72-18 record with two NCAA Tournament appearances over the past three seasons, this year's edition of the Huskies has more to prove than the typical defending conference champ. That special group of seniors ushered in a new era of Bloomsburg women's basketball, bringing the program back to the top of the PSAC Eastern Division.
           
"They're saying this is our turn now," head coach Bill Cleary said of the returning players. "They've been good teammates and now they're appreciating what the seniors last year did in the past."
           
With so many changes, much of Cleary's rotation for the new season remains up in the air. He hopes the Huskies take advantages of the openings as the battles for playing time continues through preseason work and the early portion of the schedule.
           
"There are a lot of minutes to be had. We tell the kids, this is a great time to be part of this program because we just had five kids graduate. Here's your opportunity to step in and be able to play," he said. "The question is who is willing to work for those minutes and who will do what is asked of them to get those minutes."
           
The Huskies were selected second in the PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, taking three first-place votes, the most of any team. Millersville ranked first with two first-place tallies while Shippensburg ranked third, also with two top votes. West Chester was fourth and Kutztown stood fifth with two first-place votes. East Stroudsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield and Cheyney complete the preseason standings.
           
Here's a look at the breakdown of the 2013-14 Huskies roster:
 
BACKCOURT
The backcourt is anchored by the lone returning starter from last year's team, senior Catherine Noack (Bethlehem/Liberty). A preseason All-PSAC East Team selection, Noack averaged 10.1 points per game along with 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals on average. It was a career year for Noack, who transitioned into a starting role as a junior.
           
"Her shot looks really good right now and she seems really confident," Cleary said. "She's adapting into a new role as a leader and is starting to realize she does have that in her."

Brianna Dudeck (Sugarloaf/Hazleton) joins Noack as the team's only other senior, averaging 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 28 games a year ago. Her speed and defensive abilities go beyond the stat sheet, however.

"She's a kid who hustles 100 percent of the time, that's who she is," Cleary said. "She can play 40 minutes every day and not feel fatigued. She is a tireless worker and consummate team player. She's a relentless defender and her speed is incredible."

Junior Jocelyn Ford (Lansing, NY/Lansing) made her Husky debut last year by registering 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in a reserve role, appearing in 28 games.

"She sees the floor so well, three or four steps ahead of anyone. She has a natural ability of being in the right place at the right time and putting the ball in the right person's hands," Cleary said.

Another junior guard, Maggie Borski (Philadelphia/Nazareth Academy) played in all 30 games last year (2.6 points, 1.4 rebounds) and has made strides through off-season work and preseason practices, Cleary said.

The Huskies will continue to operate with a four guard system which allows Cleary versatility with several players having the ability to run the offense at point guard. Borski, Ford and Taylor Kaminski (Philadelphia/Archbishop Wood) along with newcomer Morgan Klunk (Felton/York Catholic) all could run the point at times.

"We have a lot of options there who can do a good job of handling the position," Cleary said.

Combo guard Marla Simmons (Lebanon/Cedar Crest) has played in all 62 games the past two years. She averaged 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game a year ago. Her aggressive style of play and ability to attack the basket will be counted on in a larger role this season.

"Marla is anxious to prove herself and is ready to step up and take on new roles," Cleary said.

Adding depth to the backcourt is a trio of returners in Kaminski, Lauren Nealon (Ambler/Archbishop Wood) and Nicole Southcott (Downingtown/Coatesville). Kaminski and Nealon both saw minutes in 16 games a season ago while Southcott logged time in 11 contests in 2012-13.

"They know what the program is about," Cleary said of his backcourt players. "They're expected to lead the younger kids and get them to buy in and execute what we need to do on a daily basis."

Klunk, a 5-foot-9 freshman, will fight for minutes in her Huskies debut this season as well.

"She's picked up things extremely quick and has a very high basketball IQ," Cleary added. "She's a great pickup for us not just this year but down the line. We can't wait to see what she's going to be able to do on a consistent basis."

Freshman forward Alex Ross (Lancaster/Manheim Township) also joins the group, bringing speed and athletic ability.

"We are really excited to see what the new freshmen can do for us this year," Cleary said.
 
 
FRONT COURT
If there are opportunities for players to take new roles and run with them in the backcourt, opportunity reigns supreme in the post.
         
"Not to take anything away from the other girls, but these girls have worked the hardest because they know there is an opportunity to play," Cleary said of the front court.
           
The Huskies have three post players with the ability to alter shots, make the right passes and lengthen possessions with rebounds while creating put-back opportunities.
           
Adreana Sadowski (Fleetwood/Brandywine Heights) saw the most playing time of the trio last year, playing in 18 contests with 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds. The 6-foot redshirt sophomore forward brings speed and blocking ability to the post.
           
"She has a great ability to alter shots and that's just as important as to block shots," Cleary said. "She runs the floor well and will give us a lot of easy baskets we haven't had in the past. We're expecting a lot of big things out of her this year without question."
           
Erica Maciejewski (Red Lion/Red Lion) played in nine games as a freshman last year. Along with Sadowski, Cleary praised her passing ability out of the post.
           
"You can tell the work she's put in. We're anxious to see that continue," he added.
           
Nikki Tamanosky (Camp Hill/Cumberland Valley) saw time in 11 games last year. "She gives us that physicality that we haven't had consistently," Cleary said.
 
OUTLOOK
While much has changed with the Huskies from a year ago, they're not alone in having holes to fill. Many of the PSAC East competitors have their own changes to work through as well in the new campaign.
           
"The East is more wide open than ever since I've been here," Cleary described. "Right now every team in the East lost significant players. Millersville and West Chester are tough year in and year out, Kutztown will be tough. I do believe we will be tough."

With so many changes this fall, the Huskies are looking toward peaking right about the time they did last season – when the calendar turns to February and early March.
           
"It's our job to remind them it's not how you start the race, but how you finish," Cleary emphasized. "We have a lot of talent in the locker room. Our biggest challenge as a team is going to be adjusting to their new roles and accepting them. When they accept them they'll be able to make the proper adjustments to be successful.
           
Bloomsburg opens its season with two road games, at Chestnut Hill on Nov. 9 and at Wilmington (Del.) on Nov. 16 before opening at home four days later.
           
"Right now we are not where we need to be. That is OK. That is to be expected with what we have lost," Cleary added. "The staple of our program has always been to peak toward the end of the season. If we can continue to do that then we will be right there."