Story by Kurt Miller
After matching the most Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association wins in program history in the 2014-15 season, the Kalamazoo College women's basketball team hopes to replicate its success in 2015-16.
Losing three starters to graduation at the end of last year will present this year's team with its challenges, but Head Coach Katie Miller is optimistic.
"We want to build off of last year's success, but at the same time find our own identity for this year's team," Miller said. "We have some younger players stepping into bigger roles and I am confident they are ready to do that."
Despite losing some key players to graduation, both Kelsey Adamski and Grace Smith return to the Hornets. Each started 25 of 26 games for Kalamazoo last season.
Adamski, who was an All-MIAA First Team selection last season, did it all for the Hornets from the point guard position. A senior from Hickory Corners, Mich., Adamski led the team in scoring (11.5 ppg), assists (4.4 apg) and steals (2.3 spg). She also was second team on the in rebounding, corralling 4.8 rpg.
"Anytime you have a senior point guard on your team who is a great leader and a First Team All-Conference player, that's a good thing," Miller said. "Kelsey—along with Grace and Claire Slaughter, our other senior—are great leaders. They will do a great job of setting a good example for the underclassmen throughout the transition and growth of this team."
Smith averaged 9.2 ppg as a sophomore and shot 81.9 percent from the free throw line, the highest percentage in the MIAA. She was also third on the team in rebounding, averaging 4.6 rpg.
Other returners who look to be stepping into bigger roles this season include Emily Kozal and Danielle Simon. Each played in all 26 games last season as freshmen, with Kozal averaging 4.5 ppg and Simon averaging 3.1 ppg.
"Emily is the type of player that can just go off and score in bunches," Miller said. "She can definitely do that this year for us, even as a sophomore. Danielle is a high energy type of player who's very aggressive defensively. She makes things happen and does all those little things that can give us some extra momentum. I think both of them will do some great things for us this year."
Three freshmen will be added to the mix as well in Amanda Moss, Eliza McCall and Victoria Beehler.
Miller noted last year's team was relatively small, and this year's starting line-up could be even smaller, but that could be one of this year's biggest strengths.
"We'll do some things differently offensively and defensively just due to different personnel," Miller said. "We'll try and use our small line-up as an advantage and play a little bit faster, which plays to Kelsey's strengths. We'll do whatever it takes to put ourselves in the best position to win every time we step out on the floor."
The Hornets begin their season on Friday, Nov. 13 when they welcome Dominican to the Anderson Athletic Center. Conference play is set to begin on Dec. 2 when Kalamazoo hosts Calvin.