The Eastern University Women’s Basketball team looks to build upon their appearance in the MAC Freedom Tournament last year and try to go further this year. With only one senior lost from the team due to graduation, their experience from the previous season can pay off as they go throughout this season improving game after game. With four seniors on the team this year, the under class-men can learn from them and make an impact on the success of the team. Before the team dives into the conference match-ups, there is business to take care of when cross street Cabrini comes to Eastern’s house for “The Battle of Eagle Road”. After that, some other non conference match-ups to note is the Nov 21st meeting with Messiah College at home. Rosemont College, another local school, will visit Eastern on Dec. 6th.
In between Christmas and New Years, the women’s basketball team will go to Cabrini for a set with Widner and Rowan in the Cabrini College Classic. Conference play for the team begins on January 3rd when Desales comes to St Davids. In conference play, every team plays every other team twice to determine the seeds that the eventual top four teams in the conference will receive. This all culminates with the MAC Freedom Tournament on February 21st and 24th, if Eastern goes that far. “Conference play is always big, because when it starts we want to get everything together in terms of making sure we hit the big plays that we need to. Conference wide, the field looks pretty solid this year, so every game is going to come down to whoever shows up when it matters”, senior guard Amanda Riff said.
Key players to watch this season are the four seniors on the team that will take on the responsibility of leading in the critical moments. Amanda Riff, Taylor Azer, Taylor Price, and Amber Anderson, with the experience that they have accumulated, will make an impact both on the court and as mentors to the lower class-men. “Everyone has their roles that contributes to the team in their own way, so everyone will be a huge factor our success” said Riff. After going 17-9 overall and 8-6 in the conference last year, the Eastern Women’s Basketball keeps one goal in mind; to get better each game so that they can be successful when it counts come playoff time. Preseason practices for the Eagles are underway, and so the hard work leading up to the 2017-18 season has begun. We wish all of the players and coaches luck! Don’t forget to support your women’s basketball team at their home games this season! It all starts Nov. 15 against Cabrini!
Sources: goeasterneagles.com