Dalyann Fuller is probably tired of being reminded only 27
percent of last year’s offense returns when the Pitt-Bradford
women’s basketball team opens the 2005-06 campaign tonight at the
Wilmington (Ohio) College Tournament.

Only one full-time starter and just six returnees grace the
roster as coach Fuller welcomes a half dozen newcomers to improve
on last season’s 11-15 record.

“That (27 percent) is not a bad thing because we have some new
players coming in that will add to our offense,” said the
sixth-year (47-83) head coach. “We brought a nice recruiting class
in and everybody knows their roles.”

Megan Richards, who is a 6-foot junior forward from Bergen
(N.Y.), is the only player returning who started all 26 games in
2004-05. Richards led the Lady Panthers in rebounding with 6.2 per
game and also averaged 6.6 points per contest last year.

“Megan (Richards) has started since she was a freshman,” Fuller
stated. “She has to rebound the basketball for us to be successful.
She is in the best physical shape of her life and knows she’ll have
to play the minutes.”

The other starting forward is 5-11 sophomore Taiasha Brown of
Coudersport, who grabbed 41 rebounds in just seven games a year
ago.

“She (Brown) comes from a good program in Coudersport,” Fuller
declared. “She has worked extremely hard on her post moves and is a
great rebounder.”

The three staring guards are 5-6 freshman Katie Moore of Warren
at the point, 5-7 sophomore Rachel Smith of Bergen (N.Y.) at the
No. 2 guard and 5-7 senior Rose Wilken of Julian in the third spot.
Smith (1.8 ppg) started 10 games last year and Wilken (3.3 ppg)
started one.

“Katie (Moore) is one of our best defenders right now and also
sees the floor well,” Fuller noted. “Rachel (Smith) out-hustles
everyone, and works hard on offense and defense. Rose (Wilken) is a
defensive specialist and can knock down the open threes.”

Key backups are 6-foot forward Sarah Lyon of Clymer (N.Y.), 5-2
freshman point guard Michelle Kushner of McKees Rocks, 5-2 junior
guard Catrina Retterer of Clarendon, 5-7 sophomore guard Amanda
Williams of Houghton (N.Y.) and 5-8 senior guard Chelsey Cummings
of Mayville (N.Y.).

“Sarah (Lyon) is probably our best three-point shooter as a
6-footer and is also learning to play in the post,” Fuller
observed. “Michelle (Kushner) played against good competition in
high school and is a gutsy kid who can shoot the basketball.
Catrina (Retterer) is by far our quickest player and can really get
in your face on defense. Amanda (Williams) is a great offensive
player who can take people one-on-one to the hole. Chelsey
(Cummings) can step in for Rachel or Rose and is also learning the
No. 4 spot.”

The Lady Panthers have two players on the injured reserve list
in 5-7 senior guard Katie Barrett of Rixford and 5-9 sophomore
forward/guard Jen Cole of Smethport.

“Katie (Barrett) had surgery and will have a cast on her wrist
until January,” Fuller said. “Jen Cole has a back injury and could
return for the St. John Fisher Tournament (Nov. 26). This is the
most interesting pre-season we’ve had. We have six players who are
playing more than one sport, so we had a lot of practices without a
full squad.”

Pitt-Bradford jumps right into the fire this evening versus
Wilmington, who captured the NCAA Division III crown two years
ago.

“We have to play that competition for us to reach the level we
want to be at,” Fuller declared. “It will be a real test for us.
Then we go to St. John Fisher, who won the ECAC Regional last year.
Right after that we go to Frostburg and Greensburg to start the
AMCC schedule.”

After a 9-9 league record a year ago, the Lady Panthers are
selected to finish fifth by the coaches in the 10-team Allegheny
Mountain Collegiate Conference behind Medaille College,
Pitt-Greensburg, Frostburg State and Penn State Behrend.

“I see the conference being wide open,” Fuller admitted.
“Medaille is picked to win it and last year was the first year they
were in the AMCC. Frostburg (defending AMCC champs) and Greensburg
have a lot of players back and Behrend is always scrappy.

“The keys to our season will be rebounding, getting our timing
on offense, our freshmen maturing and staying injury-free,” Fuller
added.

Fuller’s assistant coaches are first-timers Julie Galbraith and
Brian Samson.

“Julie Galbraith played at Pitt-Bradford (1989-93) and has that
Division III experience,” Fuller concluded. “Brian Samson loves to
coach, gets right after the players and they like him.”