Julie Ehrman: Already owns the UPG single-season record for three-point shots made.By Dave Holt / Sports editor

UPG women’s basketball does not have one senior on the team. In fact, there are only three juniors — guards Tiffany Menhorn, Nicole Resier and Nicole Beggs — on the 14 women roster. So, it’s no surprise that freshmen have had to contribute. But no one could have expected guard Julie Ehrman to contribute the way she has.

Ehrman, who averages more than 30 minutes a game, is fourth on the team in points per game (9.9) and has helped the Lady Bobcats to a 10-6 conference record (12-11 overall) and a potential playoff berth.

“When we recruited (Ehrman), we thought she would contribute but maybe only 10 or 15 minutes a game,” said assistant coach Kevin Conlon. “Nobody expected her to average over 30 minutes a game. But she stepped up her game in preseason and she’s been a pleasant surprise.”

Ehrman is used to being in the lineup right away. She played varsity as a freshman at Butler Area High School in Butler, Pa.

Ehrman’s biggest contribution to the team has been her shooting ability, especially from three-point range.

“That’s my specialty,” Ehrman said. “That’s what I’m supposed to do. If I pass up an open shot the coaches tell me about it.”

Ehrman shoots 30 percent from three-point range, third best on the team. But Ehrman has taken the most attempts from behind the arc (147), 50 more than Nicole Reiser who is second on the list.

“She averages about 10 points per game which is pretty good for a freshman,” Conlon said. “Her shooting ability is something we didn’t have before. Now we have someone that can stretch the defense.”

What is most impressive about Ehrman is that she broke the UPG record for three-point shots made in a season which stood at 39 until the Lady Bobcats game against Medaille on Feb. 3.

“I didn’t even know I set it until my mom saw it on the [UPG] website,” Ehrman said. “It’s definitely a good accomplishment.”

Ehrman will continue to reset the record throughout the rest of the season. It currently stands at 45.

The three-point shot isn’t the only area where she contributes. She averages two assists per game and shoots 77 percent from the foul line.

“I try to give other people chances to score,” Ehrman said. “My defense is getting better. I struggled a little at the beginning of the year.”

Conlon feels the same way.

“She’s gotten better all year especially at driving the lane and shooting pull up jumpers,” Conlon said. “She’s getting better at her defense. When she becomes a well rounded player, she’ll be one of the better players in our conference over the next few years.”

Ehrman says she’s not the only one improving; the whole team is working to get better, especially when it comes to rebounding.

“We’ve gotten a lot better with rebounds,” Ehrman said. “We’ve changed our zone defense around and we’ve been in better position in recent games—even this past week we’ve gotten better.”

Ehrman believes that if the team stays together they can advance far in the playoffs this year and be a dominant team over the next few years.

“If we all play together, we’ll go far. But if we become selfish we don’t accomplish what we need to. And if all the freshmen that are here now stay for the next four years I think we’ll be fine.”