By Dave Holt / Sports editor

Julie Ehrman: file photoExpectations are high this season for Pitt-Greensburg’s women’s basketball team. With four returning starters, including three all-conference players, the Lady Bobcats are poised for a deep playoff run.

Last year’s team was inexperienced which contributed to a first round exit in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference playoffs. The same can’t be said this year.

All-conference guards Tiffany Menhorn (senior) and Nicole Reiser (junior) return and provide leadership along with their talent. Menhorn averaged 14.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last year and Reiser averaged 12.9 points per game and shot 38 percent from three-point range.

Menhorn said that she would love to go out on top and she believes this team has what it takes.

“We have all the tools necessary to make a great team,” she said. “We have freshmen that will contribute and experience and we work really well together.”

“We know what we have to do as a team. No individual can win our conference. We just have to take it one game at a time.”

Reiser agrees that this team has potential and said the team is athletic, fast and plays with a lot of heart.

Two keys for the Lady Bobcats will be sophomores Julie Ehrman and Kelsey Wilcox, the team’s other all-conference player. Both contributed right away and established themselves as starters. Ehrman broke the women’s team record for three-point shots made last season (53) shooting 32 percent from the behind the arc.

Wilcox was a force in the paint on both ends of the court. She averaged 13.5 points and almost 9.5 rebounds per game last season.

Both will need to build on their success as freshmen and continue to improve for the team to advance further in the playoffs.

This team still has its share of young players. There are six freshmen on the roster. One freshman is expected to have an immediate impact is point guard Alicia Nevins.

“Alicia will step up,” Reiser said. “She plays her heart out everyday and as a freshman she’s our team motivator. She’s always encouraging everyone.”

“Kelly Stewart will contribute, too because of her shot and Mary Cook because of her height, athleticism and shot,” Reiser added.

“Alicia has fallen into that role and she’s earned her spot in my eyes,” Menhorn said. “Mary and Kelly will contribute right away. And the other freshmen we’ll lean on for support as the season goes on and they’ll fall into their roles. They have a lot of potential and I’m anxious to see who’s going to step it up.”

Freshman guard Ali Bilak said what her role right now is to be supportive and push her teammates to the best of her ability.

That support seems to flow throughout the team as Menhorn, Reiser and Ehrman said the team is playing well together and as a team. That comradarie will go a long way in ensuring this team makes noise in the playoffs.

However there are a few areas that the team need to improve on. First, is field goal percentage. As a team, the Lady Bobcats shot only 37 percent from the field and averaged only 65 points per game.

Next is rebounding. Though Wilcox pulled down almost 10 rebounds per game last year, she didn’t get much support and UPG was out-rebounded many times last season. Cook, who is six feet tall, should help out in that department.

The team should improve in both areas as last year’s young players are now veterans and are more confident with their play.

Menhorn said that nothing will change in theWomen’s basketball: file photo team’s style of play and that they are still going to push the ball and play fast.

“We’ll still play our fast paced, up and down game. We brought in more players to help with that. It’s what we do best.”

There’s an x-factor this season. The team had to run cross country this fall. That not only put the team in great shape but was a chance to strengthen the bond between the players. The endurance gained from cross country running will serve the team well in the style of play and especially be evident late in games where other teams may wear down.

“We have everyone back,” Ehrman said. “We have scoring off the bench and we’re playing better as a team. Everyone’s contributing more than last year.”

“We’re ranked No. 4 (in the conference) and I think we’ll definitely go further this year.”

This team believes that it can go far and that desire to win won the team games last year. This year it may get them a banner in the gymnasium.