After just missing the conference tournament last year with a fifth place finish in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and a 4-4 league record, the Kalamazoo College women's lacrosse team hopes to take the next step in 2016 and secure a spot in the top four of the conference.
"All of us, we believe we're capable of making the conference tournament so that's our number one goal," first year Head Coach Jess Smith said. "Missing the conference playoffs by just one spot last year, the team is really motivated to get there because they know they can."
Named the team's head coach this past December, Smith walked into a unique situation with nearly the entire 2015 roster back for the 2016 campaign. The Hornets lost just one senior to graduation heading into the program's third season.
The team's chemistry and togetherness has made Smith's mid-year transition a smooth one.
"Even though I didn't know them before, it's nice because they're used to working with each other," Smith said. "They know we don't have to fill open spots necessarily. We already have the leadership from those who are used to being on the field because that's the position they've already been in."
Of the players returning, Anika Sproull headlines the group as a 2015 All-MIAA First Team selection in midfield. The junior from Dexter, Mich. scored a team-high 45 goals and also recorded a team-high seven assists.
Other notable returners in midfield included Anna Dairaghi and Nicole Huff. The duo combined to score 36 goals to go along with four assists last season.
Alivia DuQuet, Cecila DiFranco and Vethania Stavropoulos will look to lead the attack once again for the Hornets. All juniors, the three combined to score 60 goals in 2015 and each started at least 13 games.
Defensively Elizabeth Arellano, Allia Howard and Nicole Prentice were the most consistent performers for the Hornets last season. Fifty ground balls were recovered between the three of them.
Katie Johnson, an All-MIAA Second Team pick last year, will likely stand in the cage once again for Hornets after starting all 14 games for K at goalie as a freshman.
"I think the team is pretty excited for some new stuff this season and looking forward to trying some new things," Smith said. There's really good energy throughout the group."
While the team's non-conference schedule in 2016 is filled with strong competition, Smith knows the games will help the team grow and ultimately move it closer to achieving its goal.
"We're playing very, very good [non-conference] teams that are ranked highly nationally, but that's good because it's easier to learn when you're playing better teams," Smith said. "The conference games are a big focus for us in terms of playing teams we know we have a very good chance to beat while playing really well."
Kalamazoo begins its season this Sunday, Feb. 28 as the Hornets play host to Oberlin College at MacKenzie Field. MIAA play commences April 9 with a road trip to Trine University.