Page 12 Lady by Brian Gregory Collegian Staff Are you ready to RUMBLE!!!!! Well the Penn State Behrend Lady Lions Basketball Team is back and they're ready to claw their way back to the top of the pinnacle of women's basketball. Anchored by the two returning seniors, Marlesse Schlott and Becky Reed, and well-loaded with a plethora of returning players the Lady lions are set to roll. "We're going to have a very talented group of players," remarked a very excited Head Coach Rosalyn Fomari. "If I told you that it's going to be a 20+ (win) season I wouldn't be pushing my players in a bad way. It’s going to be a great year." Returning at the point guard to take over where senior Megan Musante left off last year is 5’5" sophomore Melanie Banas. Banas is excellent at bringing the ball up the floor, and she will be the Lady Lions main three point threat. "Banas is a very good player," commented Fomari. "She led us in assist-turnover ratio last year." Moving into the guard positions this year will be Niki Bohn, Kate Delaney, Melanie Kautzman, Erin Mack, Maria Madigan, Robin Mangus, and of course Becky Reed. Reed looks to be the standout this year as the 5'9" senior returns for another outstanding season. Delaney, a 5' 9" junior, returns after a year off due to an ACL injury. Bohn Big stuff at small school by Marco Buscaglia College Press Service DEERFIELD, 111 - Even when the home stadium is filled to capacity, less than 1,500 fans watch quarterback Jon Stark work his magic on the football Held. But Stark, considered by many to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, knew that when he transferred from Florida State to tiny Trinity College earlier this year. The 22-year-old senior will tell you, however, that the view from the field, no matter where you play, is much better that the view from the sidelines. When last season ended, the 6- foot, 4-1/2-inch and 218-pound player was slated to be FSU's second-string quarterback this year, playing back-up to Heisman Trophy candidate Danny Kanell. But in January, Stark decided he wanted more. "I want to play football," Stark says. "I'd rather be out there on the field playing for a small school than wearing the jersey of the No. 1-ranked team on the sidelines." Still, with a potential NFL career riding on his decision- Stark was ranked college football’s third-best quarterback by ESPN's Mel Kiper and fourth best by the Sporting News-Stark knew his decision could have Lions will be looked to a lot by Fomari to evolve into one of the team's best outside shooters. Kautzman, Mack, Madigan, and Mangus arc freshman. Bohn is a definite role player," said Fornari of the 5'9" sophomore. "She can shoot from anywhere, play great defense, and is always around to make a play that we need." Fomari is also very excited about 5’5" Freshman point guard Erin Mack. "(She) has really performed (well). She's learning well about college basketball and creating different things for the team. She'll be a great back-up and someone who'll come off the bench and spark us.” Down in the paint, Behrend returns two glitzy starters from last year's team. The two inside enforcers are: 5’5" sophomore Emily Marini and 6*o' senior Marlesse Schlott. "Marini played well for us last year," commented Fomari. "She had nine boards despite her size long-term ramifications. "I told myself there was always a chance that Danny could get hurt and that I would be expected to step in,” says Stark, adding that he has no hard feelings against Kanell, Bowden or any other member of the FSU program. "But that was a chance. I was looking for a sure thing." After the reality of FSU coach Bobby Bowden's decision to start Kanell sank in, Stark began looking at schools. Although he had played and FSU for two seasons, Stark began his college career at Liberty University. And since the National Collegiate Athletic Association only allows student eligibility at two schools, Stark was forced to look at smaller National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic schools if he wanted to continue his career on the gridiron. "Trinity was the first place that came into my mind because of the great things I'd read about the program and about Coach Frazier," Stark says. "All it took was one visit to campus last January. I enrolled in classes a few days later." Leslie Frazier, Trinity's coach, took over the program in 1989 and has quickly built a winner. Frazier, a former member of the Chicago Bears who suffered a Sports ‘ready to rumble’ (5'5" going up against 6’o" monsters). What our post players lack in size they make up for in determination." Erin McCormick may prove to be one of the greatest acquisitions the Lady Lions made in the offseason. She's a 6'o" sophomore who is nationally ranked for her blocks in volleyball here at Behrend. She will make up for the loss of Heather Noider. “Losing Norder no doubt will hurt us. She is a great athlete," added Coach Fomari. "However, McCormick (helps us out). She takes up space, can jump, shoot, and has a nice touch from six feet. She can use her size well." Also putting in time in the paint will be Nikki Schultz. The 5’H" sophomore has been billed by Fomari as the "player that has improved the most" Fornari has seen great improvements from her team in the practices over the last few weeks. "My team's gelling together well. If you came to practice and saw us play and run our offense, (you would see) we do almost everything well,” she said. "Also, we're competing well together. They all know that this could be a great season if they work together hard.” On a team with a lot of leaders, Fomari looks to three players for the guidance to get to the top. “Reed and Schlott will be our fuel. Schlott can rebound and kick it out to Reed for a shot. And now, you’re going to see Banas run the whole floor. career-ending knee injury during Super Bowl XX, has quickly gained the respect of his players and peers. "He’s a great guy to play for," says Stark. "He's got such great character and he’s so committed to living the right way that it affects us all." Frazier has high praise for Stark as well. "He helps us in so many ways, both on and off the field,” says Frazier. "He's a fighter, and he never gives up." As of Oct. 24, Stark had helped lead Trinity to a 5-2 record, racking up 2,351 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. "Football is about playing-time, not rankings," comments Stark, who says his ultimate goal is to play professionally. "When you're out there on the field, you don't think of anything else." So far, Stark's decision to attend Trinity hasn't seemed to diminish his stature in the college football world. Still considered one of college football's top passers, Stark has already accepted an invitation to the Hula Bowl-college football's version of the Pro Bowl-in January and has netted interest from several NFL teams. She’ll be the court stabilizer and the go-to-woman. The same as Bohn was for us last year.” On looking forward to the season, Fomari sees a possibility of making their weaknesses their strengths. “Our biggest (weakness) WAS to be in the right spots at the right times on the floor. Now this year we can use our aggression to turn this weakness into a strength. We can take more chances. What we lack in speed, we make up for in determination.” So after all this, where does Fomari expect to be on February Collegian File Photo Seniors rock: The senior duo of Becky Reed (right) and Marlesse Schlott look to score two more for Behrend. Coach Roz Fornari (above left) tells all how good the Lady Lions really are. Thursday, November 9,1995 22nd (the day of the last game)? “I want to be undefeated,” said Fomari convincingly. “We have small steps and goals that will make this more realistic. I want to get back to the NCAA playoffs. The best part about this team is that they know my system, and they will learn from experience. I can go to my bench when I need to and get players to play.” How good are the Lady Lions? From the little that I have seen of the program, I was very impressed. They shoot, pass, and play defense well. Get ready because they’re gonna rumble
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