Women’s basketball fights for a position in CC
Senior Rianna Doane scored eight points, had three assists and four steals. Doane’s four steals pushed her into a tie for sixth in program history with 169 steals. Photo Courtesy of David Sinclair
By Christine Betterly, Contributing Writer
With a record of 10- 6, the Gettysburg College women’s basketball team is in the run to become the next champions of the Centennial Conference. So far, Captains Caroline Murphy, Rianna Doane, and Cori Younghans have led their team to victory against some difficult competition.
Both Caroline Murphy and Junior Samantha Pagel are hoping to con- tinue with a winning streak in their upcoming games. Last year, the team made it to the first round of the NCAA and ended their sea- son with a record of 21-7.
Luckily, all of the hardworking players from last year’s team are returning for another season. Murphy explains, “We have six seniors and that gives us a tremendous amount of experience as well as a returning squad. Having the opportunity to play with the same players for two years allows the team chemistry to mesh all the better.”
Unfortunately, not all of the players were
able to return for another season this year. Junior Jenna Swope tore her ACL in a summer league game in July. “Jenna was always playing great defense and getting all of the rebounds,” said Pagel. Despite her injury, Jenna continues to support her team on the sidelines by attending every game and practice.
There have been two new additions to the team this year, first-years Sara Graham and Olivia Braswell. “Liv and Sara both bring tremendous hard work and hustle to the team. Sara is Murphy’s sub, and grabs a ton of rebounds when she enters the game,” mentions Pagel.
Murphy also enjoys playing with the first-years and gives the girls credit for their quick adaptation to a unique situation. She says, “Due to the fact that we are a team with all returning players, they had to adapt quickly to the plays, the physicality of playing in college, and the competition.”
The team has already defeated last year’s biggest rival Swathmore twice.
Pagel said that the girls have been defeating their rivals by “keeping the high energy up and always cheering each other on. When we play like a team, we play great.”
“We prepare for each team we are about to play through films, scouting, and specialized practices,” said Captain Caroline Murphy.
Despite their recent victories over Ursinus, Swarthmore, and Washington College, Murphy says that they still have a lot of preparation to do before their games against Muhlenberg on February 8th and Johns Hopkins on February 12th. “Johns Hopkins was undefeated until last week. We are playing the top teams again after losing to Muhlenberg, Hopkins, and McDaniel. We intend to split our record and beat each team the second time around,” says Murphy.
Come watch the women take on their next big competitor, Bryn Mawr, at home on February 1st!
