Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Open Season With A New Look
10/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 16, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern basketball team opened practice Saturday morning with a new staff, a new group of freshmen and a new outlook on the upcoming season.
"It was great to see the girls on the floor work as a whole team," said Head Coach Beth Combs. "We know that we have a long way to go, but the girls showed a lot of heart today and picked up the intensity during this morning's long session. It is a great feeling to be out here."
The following is an outlook for the 2004-05 season, set to start on Nov. 19 at Creighton. Wildcat fans will get their first glimpse of this team at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Nov. 24 when NU hosts Western Michigan. For ticket information, please call 847-491-CATS.
2004-05 Season Outlook
A new era of Northwestern Women's Basketball was ushered in on April 13, 2004 when Beth Combs was named head coach--just the fifth in Wildcat history--by Director of Athletics Mark Murphy. With Combs' staff in place, NU's season essentially began that very day as the new coach encouraged her squad to embrace change and renew its commitment to excellence.
"My staff and I have the same goal as this team, and that is to win," said Combs. "We needed to acknowledge the struggles this team has had in the past while committing ourselves to moving forward and continuing the tradition that is Northwestern Women's Basketball."
Combs has all but one starter returning for the 2004-05 season, including a group of five upperclassmen, who have the experience needed to compete in the Big Ten--arguably the best women's basketball conference in the country.
"We know that we have to take small steps in order to bring NU hoops back to prominence, and what sets this group of upperclassmen apart is their willingness to take these small steps for the betterment of the future," said Combs. "For the tradition to grow at Northwestern."
The Wildcats' leadership will undoubtedly come from its seniors. Starting at guard, NU returns Samantha McComb, Northwestern's leading scorer in 2003-04, and Melissa Culver, who started all but two games as a junior.
McComb, who missed part of last season with an injury, still managed to have a remarkable year, setting a new personal record for points in a game (22) while breaking into the top-10 of three career categories. Coach Combs sees McComb as the experienced senior who will be relied upon to lead the 'Cats on an off the court.
"Sam's work ethic and leadership is the best on this team," said Combs. "With her playing experience at NU, as well as being a member of this summer's Big Ten Foreign Team in Australia, she knows what kind of play it takes to be successful in this league. She has led by example her entire career and is willing to do what it takes to end her career the way she should--on the highest note possible."
Melissa Culver comes in as the most experienced starter, being one of the few Wildcats that did not struggle with injuries in 03-04. Culver also has Big Ten Foreign Team experience, having traveled to Europe in 2002.
" `Mo' made a huge commitment to getting stronger this summer and has come to preseason in better shape than ever before," said Combs. "As a senior, she knows the kind of work expected of a Big Ten athlete, and she has come in stronger and tougher as a player. Her experience will be crucial to our team's effort."
Sarah Kwasinski returns at center for Northwestern, but has also returned as a natural leader for the team. Knowing that the 'Cats are short on numbers, Combs defines `Kwas' as the leader inside.
"Sarah also made a commitment to the weights, coming in stronger than she ever has in order to become a better player," said Combs. "She has worked incredibly hard both on and off the court, while really embracing the changes this team has and will continue to experience. We need her to play big this season"
Returning from a redshirt year due to injury is forward Suzanne Morrison. Before the injury, Morrison had come on strong late in her sophomore campaign, averaging 10.5 points per game in the last six contests of the season. Described as a "nightmare to defend," Morrison hopes to make up for lost time.
"Suzanne is obviously one of the strongest and more physical players on the court," said Combs. "She came in with a renewed effort toward conditioning as well as the game, stepping up as a leader in our program. She has major ability and knows how to play the inside as a physical post, something we'll need from her this season."
Other veterans returning include forwards A.J. Glasauer and Ifeoma Okonkwo as well as guard Breanne Smilie. Okonkwo, the lone junior for the Wildcats, avoided the sophomore slump by leading NU with boards and double-digit scoring while ending the season third in overall scoring.
"Ifeoma made the decision this year to step up as an upperclassman and help lead this team," said Combs. "It is a given that she is a natural athlete, being quick and athletic; she can compete with the best. But the difference is her determination to be a leader from a playing standpoint and to utilize her underdeveloped potential. She has become a better defensive player and we expect her to continue to improve."
Combs anticipates A.J. Glasauer having an important sophomore season. After spending the summer in her native Germany, Glasauer has returned to campus and made a lasting impression in the preseason.
"A.J. came back with renewed enthusiasm this year," said Combs. "She's winning sprints, pushing herself in her workouts and has worked hard on her defensive game. We've used her a lot. She's quick and athletic and we need her to continue pushing herself and her teammates."
Smilie stepped in numerous times last season when injuries hit the 'Cats hard. The young guard also came into the preseason in great shape, while spending the summer working on her form.
"Breanne has worked incredibly hard on her shot and overall ball handing," said Combs. "She has the ability to step in and become a major contributor for us."
That's not to leave out a talented group of rookies waiting to make their mark on Northwestern Women's Basketball. The Wildcats welcome five new faces, four of which are eligible to play this season; Nadia Bibbs, a Chicago native and Boston University transfer, will be eligible to play in 2005-06.
Kelly Rae Finley and Melissa Miller, both from the Breck School in Minnesota, have a winning tradition on their side. With much high school and AAU success, they look to help usher in a new era at NU.
"Kelly Rae is a coach's daughter, and she knows the game extremely well," said Combs. "She knows how to win and what it takes to win, so we expect her to contribute right away. Most of all, she is willing to do what it takes to get better every day, which is all we ask for as a staff."
"Melissa, coming from the same program as Kelly Rae, has had the same coaching and winning tradition," said Combs. "She is a very strong, physical player with an even more impressive work ethic. She has been pushing the upperclassmen in the weight room and in practice, which will only make the team better."
Illinois native Sara Stutz is no stranger to success, also coming from a successful AAU program.
"Sara came in with a confidence unlike any freshman," said Combs. "She has stepped up vocally at practice as well as physically in the weight room. Knowing Northwestern basketball, Sara wants to contribute immediately and do what it takes for the betterment of our team."
Nazli Senol is the third player from Europe to join the 'Cats in two years. Coming from Turkey, Senol's international experience will add to the team dynamic.
"Nazli is incredibly strong and is adjusting to the American game very well," said Combs. "She wants to succeed and has done above and beyond what we have asked of her. The international experience is something you can't teach."
Northwestern's schedule certainly doesn't leave much room for error, as the 'Cats will go up against top-10 teams, NCAA teams, the WNIT champions and an NCAA Final Four squad--business as usual in the Big Ten.
"We have an extremely tough nonconference schedule--going up against Creighton, the WNIT champs, and DePaul, a top-20 team--on the road," said Combs. "At home, we face powerhouses in Houston and Virginia at our own invitational. But we need the tough nonconference season to prepare for the Big Ten, a league filled with the best kids and the best coaches.
"The Big Ten is as tough as it has ever been. The top teams won't miss a beat, and every other team has experienced success in their history. They are also trying to return to the next level. There is no `night off' in this league."
After the games are played and this season is in the record books, Beth Combs maintains that this team has to define success as something very simple: "Having intensity, fight and being accountable for yourself and for your team, on an off the court."
With a new era underway, the Wildcats and their fans are embracing these changes and look toward a bright future.
