Sophomore guard Malika Miller will look to help lead the Lady Eagles into the playoffs this season as they begin a new era under first year head coach Jennifer Smith.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University women’s basketball team will begin a new era on Friday night when they tip-off their 2007-08 season under the direction of first year head coach Jennifer Smith.

Smith is no stranger to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) basketball having enjoyed a standout career at Millersville University. Most recently she spent two very successful seasons with Goldey-Beacom College.

Smith will be joined by first year assistant Jocelyn Duke, as the two hope to lead the Lady Eagles to big things including a strong run in PSAC West play and the playoffs this season.

On the court this year the Haven women’s basketball team will have a fresh look and feel as they come off a 12-15 finish last year.

Smith will look for the team to play an intense, physical and “in-your-face” brand of basketball and doesn’t expect this team to back down from anybody.

One of this team’s biggest strengths is their competitive nature and that should help as Smith tries to implement a “run the court” style of play.

As the team gets set to start the new season, coach Smith feels they certainly have the right attitude heading in.

“We have high expectations,” said Smith. “They are ready to show up and play and are not scared of anybody. This is a competitive team that wants to get to the playoffs”

The Lady Eagles have set the bar high and are looking to take the next step and earn a trip the playoffs as they have come up just a bit short the last two seasons.

Guards:

Leading the way at the guard position will be returning junior Lauren Kelshaw (Weatherly, Pa./Weatherly) and sophomore Malika Miller (Scranton, Pa./Scranton) along with sophomore-transfer Casi Donelan (Fairfax, Va./Goldey-Beacom College).

Kelshaw played in all 27 games last season for the Lady Eagels and averaged 4.2 points while playing in 16.4 minutes per game. Donelan, this year’s team captain came with coach Smith after playing her freshman season at Goldey. Last her she started 20 of 28 games and averaged 6.1 points per game and 3.8 rebounds.

Smith calls Kelshaw one of the Lady Eagles top players and will look for her to be a shooter this season, saying she can shoot the two or the three well. She is tough and plays well at both ends of the court

Donelan is a complete player and leader both on and off the court. Smith calls her strong saying she has “inside” and “outside” game.

She’s vocal, leads by example, practices hard and is a perfectionist, according to Smith Smith says she rebounds well, defends well and is versatile giving her an all-around complete player.

Miller played in 18 games a year ago and plays full court basketball, which is what Smith wants to see from her players this season. She can shoot well and play defense while adding an athletic and physical presence.

Also adding depth to the guard spot will be junior Marisa Elliot (Hagerstown, Md./Hagerstown C.C.) and rookie Aiesha Smith (Philadelphia/Paul Robeson).

Elliot, who is a transfer from Hagerstown Community College (Md.) played in 22 games for HCC last season and averaged 7.1 points per game. She is a fundamentally sound player, who is a solid shooter and drives the basket well.

Aiesha will certainly make a case to see minutes during her freshman campaign. She goes to the hole hard and adds an explosive step to the Lady Eagle offense. Coach Smith calls her one of the best passers on the team.

Senior Michelle Mitchell (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna C.C.) also returns looking to add depth to a strong guard contingent. She played in 12 games last season and is a very athletic player, who can add depth to LHU’s inside-outside game. Coach Smith says she can go in post-up and finish.

Freshmen Katie Kendall (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) and Kiara Young (Baltimore/Dunbar) will both look to battle for time this season. Kendall is hard worker, who is a good shooter with deep range while Young has tremendous potential to benefit the squad.

Forwards:

The Lady Eagles have a strong group of forwards that should add greatly to their success on the court this year.

Returning to lead the way is senior Jasmin May (East Orange, N.J./Univ. of Bridgeport), junior Evelyn Wynn (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg) and sophomores Kara Waltenbaugh (New Stanton, Pa./Hempfield) and Kristin Kudrick (Harrison City, Pa./Penn Trafford).

Kudrick started 10 games a year ago and played in all 27 contests. She averaged 5.6 points per game while also pulling down 4.6 boards. Wynne played in 22 games while Waltenbaugh played in all 27 games for Lock Haven. May played saw action in 18 games in 2006-07.

Kudrick and Wynn will battle for a starting spot and have very similar games. Both are tough and strong players who had experience and talent to the post.

Waltenbaugh understands the position well and her role, while adding tremendous passing ability at the forward spot. May adds a big strong body at the post position.

Looking to make an immediate impact during her rookie campaign will be Elizabeth Finneran (Oakville, Conn./Watertown).

The Lady Eagle get their season going on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the West Virginia State University Tip-Off Classic as they play the nations 21st ranked squad in Glenville State University.