WBB: Middle Atlantic Conference board archive

[sp0rtsfan]

Wow ! Kate, that's a large number of incoming frosh for DVal...I think it's a great sign for the vitality of the program.

As usual, I will closely follow the Lady Devils and, of course, the deeply-missed Royals from the Landmark

Best of luck to all for a healthy successful season.

[kate]

Thank you Sp0rtsfan!  Fingers crossed that everyone gels (it's a goodly amount of newcomers),  looking forward to seeing you on Feb. 20 (DVU's Senior day).  Our first game will not be Del Val.  Widener (Coach Alisa Kintner) and DeSales will kick off the season on Sat., Nov. 14th.  Scranton plays TCNJ in that tourney as well.  Here's hoping for a healthy, for the players season, and a mild winter for all of us who will be following our teams!

[ronk]

Kate,
   I'm thinking of attending, but we have a neighborhood dinner for either the 7th or 14th. Probably a late call for me, weatherwise, also. Let the games begin!

[kate]

Hi Ronk!  We're ordering great weather for that entire week!  Hope your neighbourhood dinner is the 7th - it would be a real reunion!

[sp0rtsfan]

I'm anxious to see how the roster works out for FDU. As they are ranked #10 in pre-season, there's obviously an expectation this will be another great season for them.

My view is the Lady Devils will, once again, be a tough force in the MAC although I'm not sure they are a true Top 10 team.  In the past, under the current leadership, it never seemed to me their game plan was about X's and O's. The fastest & most aggressive personnel were preferred over all else; speed & athleticism over skill & court savvy; impose your will on the opposition from a pure physical level. To balance out this strategy, Kyra Dayon's game-IQ & selfless-play often saved the day when reckless chaos started to take shape at any time.  It's doubtful anyone will match Kyra's total package although R. Groom's return will help in certain size match-ups.

My best wishes to FDU and all D3 personnel, especially the MAC and LandMark .   

[bill]

Sportsfan

I don't disagree with anything you've written. Kyra was the woman who started it all..however, many people on campus actually thought Shalette was the better player last year (as did the other MAC coaches). Having her back is huge.

The return of Rachel and the maturation of Alyssa are also key - as is to see how this team gels (or doesn't). I can say we have a few surprises to unveil...and our team size got much, much better. If we learn to play together, this is a top 10 team that will make a serious run at things.

[sp0rtsfan]

Thanks, Bill. Good insight....Since recruiting, whether it be transfers or true freshman, seems to be Coach M's forte, I'm sure there will no shortage of athletes on the Lady Devils...

While Brown's quickness & leaping ability makes her a tough match-up, I always thought Kyra drew the opposition's primary attention which allowed her teammates to take advantage of it. This was especially true for last season as Kyra was a well known super star. Also, in terms of leadership and role-model qualities, Kyra was peerless.   

[bill]

Congrats to FDU, opening up the season with a win....only 49 points scored though!

[bill]

And a second win for the Devils...99-55, which is certainly a more familiar score 

This team is still learning their roles and trying to play together. Having C Rachel Groom return is very, very comforting....

[sp0rtsfan]

Great to see FDU's Rachel Groom at full force. Hopefully, she's not pushed too hard in practice to risk further injury....As for the Devils schedule to open the season ? Comon now. York NY,  St. Mary's, Centenary, and 1-24 Megars ? I know I know, lots of new Devils players. However, 4 of their starters are return players. This team will do fine - seems like there's a ton of talent there...

[bill]

As for the FDU schedule:
You've also got to remember schools don't get to pick who they're playing at these tournaments. You sign up and hope to get good competition. Sometimes schools so some interesting things for scheduling in these tournaments. Case in point: FDU would play in the NYU tournament every year - and when we were bad, we somehow played NYU every year. Then, once we got good, somehow we stopped facing the host team

We were originally slated to play Thomas Moore for the opener - not too bad a team . Only problem was the sponsors had an issue with the D1 game that was going to be played, and the whole thing got canceled. Oh well.

[bill]

Devils played sloppy at times  tonight- with some defensive issues- but coasted over centenary. My first game with new 4 quarter format... And for what it's worth, the 5 foul double bonus is brutal. Can make the game drag on for an eternity!

[gordonmann]

Yeah, I noticed the same thing in watching Ithaca play Montclair State. The Bombers are very aggressive on defense, which adds up to a lot of fouls which adds up to a really, really long game.

[Warren Thompson]

Nice win this afternoon for the LVC ladies, 73-60 over #14 FDU.

[bill]

Yes, congrats to Leb Val. Apparently, the Devils continued to struggle at the free throw line. I think we'll see a strategy of "make them make free throws" until something changes...