The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Sports February 24, 2006

Yeowomen Reach End of Line

The 2005-06 Oberlin College women’s basketball season did not turn out exactly the way Head Coach Champion desired, but nevertheless the Yeowomen fought hard and showed tremendous heart. Despite the team’s disappointing 4-20 overall record on the season, their statistics in scoring, rebounding and three-point shooting were impressive.

The Yeowomen were 2-14 in conference play and 2-6 in non-conference games. Oberlin’s defense had an impressive season with 208 steals and 87 blocks.

Oberlin’s four wins on the season came against Hiram College, Chatham College, Ursuline College and the College of Wooster. Although Oberlin’s roster listed only eight total athletes, three of whom were first-year starters, they didn’t allow having a lack of athletes or experience get in the way of their success.

The Yeowomen’s four first-years made a tremendous impact. First-year guards Alyssa Clark and Kira Rivera gave Oberlin’s fans a show.

Rivera averaged 6.2 points per game and Clark added an impressive 18.1 points per game. First-year guards Maggie Casey and Mandi Van Allen also stepped up to the challenge. Casey averaged 2.6 rebounds per game and had 15 total blocks on the season. Van Allen’s impressive defense confused most of the NCAC’s opponents, as she added 13 individual steals on the season.

Senior captain Meg Reitz and junior star Jessie Oram were a huge part of the team and their success. Reitz averaged 27 percent from behind the arch, 6.4 in rebounds per game and 41 steals on the season. Oram led the team in scoring all season with an average of 19.0 points per game. She also had 42 total blocks and shot a solid 49 percent from the line.

With only one senior, Reitz, leaving, the Yeowomen are expected to do big things next season. With starters such as Oram, Rivera and Clark returning, and help from Laura Kanter, Casey, Valerie Cain and Van Allen, Oberlin should shock the NCAC. With Rivera running the point, Clark’s lock down defense and Oram’s strong post moves, a good recruiting class and hard work in the off season could culminate in something special for the Oberlin women’s basketball squad next season.
 
 

   

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