ESU Women’s Basketball and the Upcoming Season

By Dana Kearney
SC Contributing Writer

The ESU Women’s Basketball team will play the first home game of their season on November 22 against Millersville. With the start of the season approaching quickly, the excitement continues to grow as the Lady Warriors have been ranked fifth in the PSAC East preseason poll.

In the beginning of the semester, one may hear the chatter of friends catching up, the sound of new sneakers squeaking down the halls, and the overall excitement of the new semester finally beginning.

For the ESU Women’s Basketball team, the sounds of a dribbling basketball, the clanking of weights, and the energy of getting back into the swing of hard work and practice feel very familiar.

The Women Warriors’ record was 15-13 last season. It marked their first winning season since 2007. They beat Millersville on a buzzer-beater from beyond the arc by senior biochemistry major Ryann Fiascki to reach the quarterfinals of last spring’s PSAC Tournament, only to lose to Bloomsburg.

In addition to the sharpshooting Fiascki, senior forward Jessica Martin returns to the team. Martin was recently named to the preseason All-PSAC East team.

The team has been motivated and has worked hard during the preseason. Every day has begun at 5:00 AM with occasional pick-up games and weight lifting until Midnight Madness and the start of their first practice on October 14.

The team practices two hours a day with alternate days of lifting and watching films after practice.

Sophomore Madison Tamburini plays guard and forward on the team, and when catching up with her, the excitement of the upcoming season was apparent. “Our first home game is the 22nd vs. Millersville, which is a big game because we beat them twice with a buzzer-beater shot in the playoffs,” said Tamburini when asked about the beginning of the upcoming season.

The team has worked hard to achieve the most out of each season by working together and focusing on one another. “We focus on working as a team and understanding each other on the court,” said Tamburini when asked how the team prepares for an upcoming season.

While it is apparent that the team’s main focus is on working hard to achieve teamwork and results, they are also focused on being in the top three in the PSAC and winning a PSAC championship. With the hard work and dedication that the team has put in so far, the upcoming season is sure to be successful.

Therefore, the team is eager to start this upcoming season and has been practicing and working towards their overall goal. Understanding one another on the court is important, and the team knows just how to focus on improving their strengths and weaknesses.

“We have a great defensive team but need to work a little more on offense,” said Tamburini. “The team knows what to focus on and is dedicated to becoming the best they can be.”

Email Dana at:
dkearney@live.esu.edu