SHERMAN, Texas - After finishing with a sub-.500 record for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign, the Austin College women's basketball team will be looking to bounce back in a big way in 2022-23 under head coach Michelle Filander.
Last season the 'Roos were mired by a slow start, thanks in part to playing one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in program history that featured several nationally ranked teams. After opening the year at 2-9, Austin College started to right the ship a bit down the stretch, going 8-7 to finish with a 10-16 overall record. The 'Roos advanced to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Semifinal round, falling to eventual champion Trinity.
Filander will be forced to replace 1,000-point scorer Kacie West and former SCAC Tournament MVP Natalie McCoy this season, but she returns a pair of All-Conference performers in Sarah Gwin and Sarah Putnicki. Last season, Putnicki earned second team All-SCAC honors as a freshman, averaging 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds-per-game. Gwin is the last 'Roo to have been a part of the 2020 SCAC Championship squad, and enters her senior campaign with a career 8.9 points-per-game average and 82 career made three pointers.
The two Sarahs will have help this season from juniors Lauren Traylor, Mariana Bert, and Naomi Anamekwe, who have each seen plenty of playing time during their time in Sherman. Traylor started all 26 games last year, averaging 5.6 points and 6.1 rebounds-per-game, while Bert saw action in 25 games and looks poised to take over point guard duties this year. Anamekwe played in all 26 games a year ago, starting 11, averaging 4.1 points and 4.7 rebounds-per-game.
Also returning in the junior class is Megan O'Neil, a guard who battled injuries much of last year but as a freshman in 2020-21 averaged 6.1 points and shot 47.4% from long distance. She and the rest of the team will get additional help from sophomores Paulina Porter and Hali Bailey, who return after solid debut seasons. Porter saw action in 25 games a year ago, while Bailey played in 14 and is expected to take on a larger role in the upcoming season.
The 'Roos welcome in a strong group of newcomers, as well, including guards Kaylee Lewis, Grace Moothart, Avery Rague, and Sammi Guffey, as well as forward Catherine Akers and post player Brooklyn Matthews. Filander will be looking for an early impact from her freshman class, with several players expected to compete for early playing time. Rounding out this year's roster is Aubri Dayle Smith, a senior guard who is also a starting player for the 'Roo softball team and brings leadership and athleticism to the team.
Austin College opens the season at home on November 11, when they host Rhodes College at 6:00 p.m. in Hughey Gym.