Photo Credit: Kelly Morton
Photo Credit: Kelly Morton
Although disappointed in their seventh place finish at the 2009 CIS Championship, the Huskies have a lot to smile about from one year ago. The Huskies finished the season at 18-4, had a 13 game winning streak during the season and finished first place in the conference’s Central Division. They were also ranked in the top four among CIS teams all season.
“Despite our disappointment at nationals, we had a remarkable season,” said Huskie head coach Lisa Thomaidis. “With our success last year, we won’t be taking any team by surprise this year. Every team will be prepared to face us and will be familiar with our personnel. We only graduated two players, so with our existing depth and new additions to our team we will look to build upon the accomplishments that we were fortunate to have last season.”
Thomaidis, who was named the Canada West and CIS Coach of the Year, as well as a YWCA Woman of Distinction, will return four of five starting players. The team will head into 2009-10 without point guard Amy Prokop. Prokop, captain of the team for the last two seasons, finished her five seasons with the Huskies averaging 29.8 minutes and sits second in Huskie career assists with 371.
Returning to the starting lineup will be guards Jill Humbert and All-Canadian and Canada West First Team All-Star Kim Tulloch and forwards Marci Kiselyk and Jana Spindler. Tulloch finished sixth in the conference averaging 13.1 points per game and first in free throw percentage at 88 per cent. Spindler finished 10th in Canada West in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game and eighth in rebounds with 6.9 per game. She led the team in blocked shots percentage with .800 and in field goals made with 4.9 per game. Humbert, who moved to the point guard position in some games, finished eighth in the conference with 3.5 assists per game. The four starters are all in their fourth year of eligibility this season.
The Huskies also return Amy Lackie, Mary Hipperson, and Lindsay Copeland who will enter just their third year of eligibility, as well as Lauren Whyte in her fourth year of eligibility, and Alicia Wilson, who will be in fifth-year after transferring from Mount Royal College two seasons ago. Brittany Bodnar, who redshirted last year, will move to the active roster this season.
Adding to the strong base will be two-time All-Canadian and two-time OUA West player of the year Lindsay DeGroot. The five-foot-10 guard will join the Huskies for the 2009-10 season after playing four seasons with the McMaster University Marauders. DeGroot averaged 18.9 points per game in 2007-08 for the Marauders. Prince Albert, Sask., product Erica Gavel will also see time for the Huskies this season. Gavel, a 5-11 guard who was also a highly sought-after recruit for volleyball, played her high school career with Prince Albert’s Carlton Comprehensive High School.
The Huskies will open their season against the Brandon University Bobcats Friday and Saturday at the PAC. Game time each night is 6 p.m.
Watch Kim Tulloch's Athlete Video
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