Guard Sarah Hull will likely see an increased workload this season after the graduation of Cindi Merrill. (File Photo)
One goal. That is the motto of the Miami University's women's basketball team for the 2006-07 season. Their one goal is to win the MAC championship.
"At the end of the season last year I realized there are a lot of demands on student-athletes at Miami," said Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa. "'One goal' is to bring our role as basketball players back into focus."
Though the official season opener is not until Friday night, the RedHawks began working toward their goal over the summer. Before traveling on a 10-day tour of Europe for four exhibition games, Fantanarosa had the team cut down a red net and take a piece.
"The sign of a championship is cutting down a net," Fantanarosa said. "I wanted (the pieces) to symbolize to the girls that we have one goal, and every day they see it they can think, 'What am I doing today to help the team win a championship?'"
The Europe trip was very beneficial for the 'Hawks.
"It gave us extra time to work on our press, it helped team bonding and helped our quick offense," Fantanarosa said.
Miami won all four exhibition games.
Guard Jenna Schone believes the team will focus now on their quick rhythm.
"We want to keep the pace up-tempo which is what we are good at," Schone said.
Miami has been practicing with a European 24-second shot clock, rather than the American 30-second shot clock, to help strengthen their pace.
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This up-tempo style of play is expected to carry the RedHawks, who were picked third in the MAC, in the preseason poll behind Bowling Green and Kent State. Though Miami returns four starters, the team is very young with no seniors on the team.
Fantanarosa does not view the youth of the team negatively.
"Even though we are young, we have something to prove," Fantanarosa said. "Experience is one thing, but chemistry and work ethic go a long way."
Schone believes the chemistry has escalated.
"Chemistry-wise, I feel the players from last year know their roles better and will be able to focus on that," Schone said.
The 2005-06 season was inundated with injury, forcing many young players into unexpected leadership roles.
"As a freshman having to step up into a role I wasn't expecting helped me grow immensely," Schone said.
Fantanarosa hopes to keep the leadership spread out.
"We are gaining leadership in all different areas: defensive leaders, point guards, posts," Fantanarosa said. "Having different areas of leadership shows the team is taking on more responsibility."
Due to graduation, Miami will go without team leader Cindi Merrill this season. Merrill not only kept the 'Hawks up through broken bones and knee ailments, but was also named all-MAC three times and left MU as the fourth all-time leading scorer. Despite losing Merrill, Fantanarosa looks forward to this season.
"Cindi Merrill was very talented but my philosophy is to focus on the present, this is an opportunity for someone else to step up," Fantanarosa said.
The Red and White also returns key ingredients to the team. In addition to Schone, starter Amanda Jackson is back after a season-ending knee injury in the 2005-06 season.
In Schone, Miami returns a player who earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman team and was the first Miami freshman to start in every game since 1991. The other returning starters are Sarah Hull and Laura Markwood.
The RedHawks start regular season play this weekend traveling to Cleveland State and Robert Morris. The first home game for MU is at 7 p.m. Nov. 17, when the 'Hawks take on Northwestern.
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