Women’s basketball is poised for yet another passionate season, but this time, the squad is full of fresh talent. This year. Head Coach Christa Champion brought forth a great recruiting class with ten newcomers who are expected to step up for the Yeowomen.

Last year’s record of 4-21 did not show Oberlin’s true capabilities. However, with senior forward captain Jesse Oram and sophomore guard Alyssa Clark leading the team, who both last year received All-Conference honors, Champion feels that the team has the potential to do well.

“We have very high expectations for this year’s team. First of all, we have our top two scorers and re-bounders returning, which is a huge advantage, and one that we have not previously enjoyed in any of my other four seasons here,” said Champion. “Those two players, senior center Jessie Oram, and sophomore guard Alyssa Clark, also happen to be two of the top-performing players in the NCAC, as well.“

Last season Oram finished averaging 19.0 points per game, led the conference in scoring and finished second in rebounding with 179 boards. She is currently the co-captain of this year’s squad. Clark was another prime time player, finishing second in the NCAC in scoring averaging with 18.6 points per game. She was also fourth in assists, and led the conference in steals with 58.

Joining them will be a solid group of veterans and a whole handful of talented first- years. Juniors Valerie Cain and Laura Kanter along with sophomores Kira Rivera, Mandi Van Allen and Maggie Casey all return from last season. Rivera will command her troops at the point guard position, who last season averaged 6.2 points per game.

Champion thinks the return of Rivera will also play a key role in helping build a cohesive unit. “We will return our starting point guard for the first time in the five years I’ve been at Oberlin. Kira has been really playing great in practice and in our scrimmages so far,” said Champion. “Having continuity in our floor general is so important — not only is the team familiar with the style of the point guard, and the point guard familiar with her teammates, but in addition, the continuity gives us a chance to build on the point guard/coach relationship.“

Champion is excited about how deep the team is, after suffering several years with insufficient numbers. “Another reason we have high expectations is that we have been blessed with both numbers and depth of talent on our roster this year. We’ve been playing with seven, eight and nine players during the past five years, and now suddenly we have 16 talented athletes, all of whom have something to offer this team. It is so exciting!”

This year’s newcomers are expected to play a huge role in determining how successful the Yeowomen will be against the rest of the conference. Junior Roneisha Kinney, a 6’1” forward junior transfer from Winthrop University, sophomore transfer January Baker, a 6’2” center from Duquesne University, and first-year Fran Holoman, a 6’3” forward from Amherst, New York, all are expected to dominate the boards and low-post game. First-year forwards Emily Finkel from Oakland, California and Liz Thompson from Indianapolis, Indiana will also contribute to the post game for the Yeowomen.

First-year guards Elsa Hoffman, Kayla Brandt and Alicia Smith will all compete with Rivera for playing time at the point guard position. Fellow first-year Monica Zell, a 5’8” guard from Santa Monica, California will be substituting the at the other guard position.

“Overall, if we work hard throughout the season on maximizing our best players’ strengths, and staying away from the things that we don’t do so well, we have a great chance to be a winning team,” said Champion. “Each player has to learn what works for them, and consistently make high-percentage choices on the court. If we do that, I think we will have a great year.“

The Yeowomen kick off their season in the Vassar Tournament in New York tonight against Mitchell College at 8 p.m. The team’s first home game is against Bluffton College on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.