Raising Expectations
Robinson Fruchtl assesses team's progress, goals at tip-off luncheon

LORETTO, Pa. (Oct. 29, 2007) – It won’t happen over night, but the Saint Francis University women’s basketball team sees a return to winning ways in the not so distant future.  That’s the expectation of first-year head Susan Robinson Fruchtl and that way of thinking has clearly caught on with her team.

Robinson Fruchtl took time out of her first media day press conference at Saint Francis to laud her team’s effort through a very tough, competitive pre-season, and noted that significant strides have been made since players began returning to campus in late August.

“We’ve improved every week so far,” said the former Penn State assistant.  “That’s something we have to continue to do each and every week.”

With the installation of a new system and new expectations, time was of the essence when the team returned to Loretto from summer vacation. 

“Once players started getting back to campus, we needed to get started right away and to implement what we wanted to do as a coaching staff once classes began.”

NCAA rules dictate that division I team practices could begin no sooner than 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 this year.  So, it’s no coincidence that the Red Flash took to the floor at DeGol Arena that very minute to begin the process of raising expectations, refocusing efforts, and correcting some of the shortcomings of a season ago.

 Among one of the most crucial issues combated was a lackluster defense that gave up over 75 points per game over the 2006-07 season.

“One of the first things we had to tackle were our defensive issues,” said Robinson Fruchtl.  “That has to improve quickly and is probably the most important part of us becoming a successful team.  Our conditioning should be a big part of turning that around.”

Something that won’t change, however, is the tough non-conference schedule.

“We will be playing a tough non-conference schedule, as we always do.  I could tell you some of the teams we have on the schedule for next year and it’s not getting any easier.  Opening this season at South Carolina won’t be easy, but the only way to succeed in the conference is to prepare your self with some tough opponents as a test at the beginning of the year.”

Some of the players on this year’s team, particularly captains Emily Bollinger (Westminster, Md./Westminster), Shawna Scott (Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill Academy), and Britney Hodges (Dayton, Ohio/Mount de Chantal Academy), are welcoming the new direction as well as the opportunity to take on new roles.

“We’re very prepared and excited for the upcoming season,” said Bollinger.  “Our team chemistry has come together on and off the court and we’re ready to show conference and non-conference opponents what were able to do.”

Scott echoed those sentiments: “I definitely want to help players to understand our coaching staff out on the court.  We’re all buying into the system and executing it, and we’re excited to get started.”