2009-10 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE SEASON PREVIEW (10/27)

After earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament last season, the 2009-2010 Washington & Jefferson women’s basketball team is eager to build upon last year’s success, bring back the Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship, and record the program’s first-ever playoff victory. 

The Presidents posted a school-record 24 victories last season, including a 12-2 record in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.  W&J was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the opening round, dropping an 87-64 decision at Hope.  The Flying Dutch then advanced all the way to the NCAA quarterfinals. 

Sixth-year Head Coach Jina DeRubbo, who holds a 241-90 career record in 13 seasons at the Division III level, has amassed 110 total victories at W&J versus only 33 losses.  DeRubbo has the second-most wins in the program’s 32-year history, trailing only current assistant coach Vicki Staton, who amassed 279 wins in her 25-year career at the helm.

The Presidents’ starting five will feature three seniors, including three-year starters and three-time All-PAC selections forward Maggie Gibson and point guard Kennan Killeen {pictured}.  Gibson earned first team All-PAC honors the past two seasons after garnering second-team laurels as a freshman.  Killeen has been recognized on the second team each of her first three seasons.  Two-year starter and sharpshooting guard Stephanie Smith, rounds out the list of seniors for the 2009-2010 squad.

“These three seniors have a major impact on the success of this program,” said DeRubbo. “They have become leaders on and off the floor and will do whatever it takes to put us in position to win the conference and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.”

Killeen, who amassed a team-high 821 minutes last season, scored 298 points (10.3 ppg) and dished out 116 assists (4.0 apg), proving to be one of the top floor generals in the region.  She shot 40 percent (106-of-263) from the field and 86 percent (75-of-87) from the charity stripe, while grabbing 85 rebounds for the Red & Black. 

DeRubbo expects Killeen to maintain her consistency on the floor, but wouldn’t be surprised if the senior opens up some eyes across the nation with the type of numbers she is capable accumulating.

“I truly believe Kennan has emerged as one of the top point guards in the country,” stated DeRubbo. “She is a leader on the floor at all times and is not afraid to have the ball in her hands when the game is on the line.”

Gibson, who led the conference with 299 rebounds last year, will look to make her presence felt in the low post once again.  She can become the all-time leading rebounder in W&J history with 88.  Also within Gibson’s reach is the single-season rebounding mark of 318, which was set by Heather Dawkins.  Gibson has produced the second and third best rebounding seasons in history after pulling down 297 as a freshman and 299 last season.

The 6-foot-1 forward closed out the 2008-2009 campaign with 285 points (9.8 ppg) and averaged 10.3 rebounds.  With 88 career games under her belt, Gibson is primed for her best collegiate season. 

“Maggie’s work ethic and intensity will once again make her one of the toughest matchup problems in the PAC,” said DeRubbo. “Her ability to make her teammates work hard and perform at a high level is a testament to the type of leader she has become.”

Killeen and Gibson aim to become the 12th and 13th members of the 1,000 career point club.  Gibson can reach the milestone with 141 points this season, while Killeen needs 147.

“Both of these women have worked extremely hard to put themselves in position to reach that milestone,” responded DeRubbo  “Maggie is a well-rounded post player and Kennan has the ability to be a threat to score every time she touches the ball.”

Smith returns to the starting lineup as the team’s leading three-point threat from last season.  She was second in the PAC, shooting 39 percent (59-of-153) from beyond the arc.

“Stephanie’s ability to hit open shots from the outside make Kennan and Maggie that much better.  She makes our inside game stronger, because if a team doubles Maggie, Stephanie can beat you from the outside.”

The remaining 10 spots on the Presidents’ roster will be filled by two juniors (Catlyn Kriston and Jamie McKitrick), five sophomores (Blair Cotton, Ashley Kirkpatrick, Vanessa Rivera, Kayla Strimel and Courtney Walsh) and three freshmen (Emily Abraham, Alyssa Oursler and Erin Wallace).

Kriston and McKitrick return after filling key reserve roles on last year’s squad.  Kriston is the squad's second-leading three point shooter from last season, hitting 21-of-60 attempts from beyond the arc.  McKitrick played 10.8 minutes per contest and averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds. 

Rivera and Kirkpatrick return as the leading sophomores, averaging 13.9 and 8.9 minutes per contest, respectively.  Rivera played a key role as Killeen’s backup in the backcourt, while Kirkpatrick filled in for 2009 PAC MVP Emily Hays.  Rivera contributed 60 assists and 30 steals and Kirkpatrick averaged 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. 

Cotton, Strimel and Walsh saw limited action a year ago, but are all expected to see increased playing time during their second varsity seasons. 

The Presidents open the season with a tough non-conference stretch, hosting Case Western Reserve (11/16), No. 22 Capital (11/20) and Albion (11/21), before traveling to Allegheny (11/24).  W&J opens PAC play on December 2nd with a game against Geneva at 6:00 pm at the Henry Memorial Center.  The Presidents will also travel across the country during the holidays to compete in the Surf City Classic (Dec. 29-30) in Irvine, Calif.