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AU Women’s Basketball Prepares for 2002-03 Season
Eagles start campaign Friday at Marshall

November 21, 2002

Katryn Costenbader and the Eagles begin their season on Friday at Marshall.

WASHINGTON -- After posting one of the best turnarounds in the country last season, the American women's basketball team is prepared to contend for the Patriot League title in 2002-03. Head coach Shann Hart continues to lead the resurgence of Eagle basketball in her third year at the helm.

With a 12-15 season last year, Hart has developed a squad that is just beginning to realize its potential. 10 letterwinners return from last season's team and are joined by five newcomers.

"We are excited about our big incoming class and the contributions it will make to our squad," Hart said.

THE BACKCOURT
The backcourt will be the more experienced part of the squad this season and will be counted on to energize the Eagles both offensively and defensively. The quickness and conditioning of the backcourt will be critical to the team's success. The group will be led by some key veterans, where a number of different combinations could be put on the court.

Maria Werries

The only four-year member of the Eagle squad is senior Maria Werries (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic). A versatile 5’10” guard with quick moves and outside shooting ability as well as post play possibilities, Werries averaged 9.9 points and 3.3 boards last season and will see time in both the backcourt and the frontcourt.

"Maria is very athletic and fundamentally sound," Hart said. "Her leadership will be very important this season."

Junior Chanel Spriggs (Sunderland, Md./Northern) had a huge impact in her first season as an Eagle, finishing third in the nation in steals (4.23 spg.). She set a school record for steals in a season (110) and tied the record for steals in a game (nine vs. Georgetown). Spriggs also led the team in assists (3.81 apg.) and was the second-leading scorer on the team with 10.4 ppg. Spriggs will be an important player on both ends of the court with her smothering defense and scoring ability.

Junior Kaitlin Schuyler (Baltimore, Md./Mercy) played well in her sophomore campaign even though she missed three contests with a fractured hand. She scored 9.7 points and dished out 3.46 assists per contest. Schuyler started 22 games last season and will continue to be a mainstay in the Eagle backcourt.

Also competing for playing time in the AU backcourt will be junior Angel McNatt (Adelphia, Md./High Point) and sophomores Damarah Rhymer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Widefield) and Jenyce Woodruff (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny).

At 5'9", McNatt was a key substitute for AU in the backcourt last year. She appeared in 25 games last season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds. McNatt will compete for time as she adds depth to the Eagles.

Rhymer appeared in all 27 games and earned five starts in 2001-02 providing solid rebounding from the backcourt. She averaged 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds last season.

Woodruff played in all but one contest, averaging 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds. Her size enables her to also play in the frontcourt for the Eagles.

"The athleticism of our backcourt play is tremendous this year," Hart said.

THE FRONTCOURT
The graduation of four-year standout Hollie Steinman leaves a hole in the frontcourt. However, the Eagles have a number of returning veterans ready to fill her shoes.
Katryn Costenbader (Silver Spring, Md./Einstein) begins her second season at AU as the leading scorer on the team from a year ago. A Second-Team All-Patriot League selection, Costenbader averaged 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds. A scoring threat and dangerous on the boards, Costenbader will be a crucial part to the Eagles' success.

"Kat will be looked upon to help add to our scoring and rebounding this season," Hart said about her junior forward.

Chanel Hunt

After earning a spot on the Patriot League All-Rookie Team last season, sophomore Chanel Hunt (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft) is the top returning rebounder on the squad (5.9 rpg.). Playing in every game last year, Hunt also scored 8.6 ppg.

Senior Mariam Veppumthara (Chevy Chase, Md./Newport School) and sophomore Kim Salem (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) will add versitality to the AU frontcourt this season.

Veppumthara is a 6'3" center who allows Coach Hart to play with a larger lineup on the court. She will compete for playing time in the frontcourt as the season progresses.

Able to play at either the forward or center position, Salem stands at 6'1", adding more height to the team when she is on the court. Salem played in every game last season, averaging 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.

THE NEWCOMERS
Two transfer student-athletes and three freshmen join the Eagles in 2002-03. Guards Joanna Barnes (Washington, D.C./Dunbar/Fresno State) and Angel Jordan (Glendale, Md./The Newport School/Delaware State) transfer into AU this year. Guard Emily Branitz (Coral Springs, Fla./Pope John Paul II) will compete for time in the backcourt while forward Alicia Zorzetto (Niagara Falls, Ont./A.N. Myer) and center Katie Walsh (Goshen, N.Y./Goshen) will provide new options in the frontcourt.

Barnes played in 26 games last season for Fresno State, averaging 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. She competed in the prestigious Captial Classic All-Star Game while in high school at Dunbar.

Jordan played in all 28 games for Delaware State in 2001-02, averaging 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. She scored a career-high 14 points against Florida A&M and led the team with 12 points against Norfolk State. Jordan will sit out the 2002-03 season because of NCAA by-laws.

Branitz is a sharp-shooter from Florida who averaged 15.0 points and 3.5 assists last season. She was also named First-Team All-County and will help power the Eagles' offense.

Standing at 6-4, Walsh is the tallest player on the Eagles’ squad. Her team was four-time Section Nine Champions in New York and Walsh was the co-MVP in her final season. Walsh’s size will help AU in rebounding and in the post.

Zorzetto averaged a double-double last season with 18.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. An adept passer who added 9.0 assists per game, Zorzetto is another versatile player added to the Eagles' roster.

"With our newcomers coming from winning programs, their competitve play will help to add to the tradition of AU," Hart said about her additions to the squad.

THE SCHEDULE
The Eagles’ 2002-03 season begins at the Marshall Tip-Off Tournament which features Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern and the host Thundering Herd on Nov. 22-23. American’s home opener is on Nov. 26 as William & Mary comes to Washington. After traveling to Iona and Marist, the Eagles host Towson before the AU Tip-Off Classic on Dec. 7-9, which includes competition from Eastern Michigan, and Maryland-Eastern Shore. A trip out west to San Diego State comes on Dec. 19. Before the year is out, American heads south to play Elon and national power North Carolina.

Non-conference games with Maryland-Baltimore County and Rider begin the new year before Patriot League play begins for the Eagles on Jan. 11 at Bucknell. American's first conference home game is three days later against Navy.

After the always challenging Patriot League schedule, the 2003 Patriot League Tournament will be held at the Show Place Arena beginning Mar. 7, 2003. The championship game will be held on Mar. 12 on the home court of the highest remaining seed.