By Andrea Ressler, sports information assistant
November 8, 2007

The Bluffton University women's basketball team will bring a youthful mix of players ready for the challenges of the 2007-08 season. Of thirteen players on the roster, 10 are underclassmen. "We have a core group of dedicated and competitive players," stated Coach Chad Shutler. "They are committed to working as hard as they can to become successful."

While Shutler doesn't want to quantify success, he is to looking for the team to keep improving this season. He wants to continue developing his group of players into a productive basketball team. So far, his plan has worked. Over the past two years with Shutler as head coach, the women's basketball team has steadily increased its wins, both Heartland Conference and overall.

As the team improves this season, Shutler will be counting on consistency. During the 2006-07 season, the Beavers struggled with turnovers. The number of miscues was a serious problem so this year the focus will be on reducing turnovers and getting good looks at the basket each time down the floor. Consistent play and strong leadership will help the women put together a productive season.

While the team is looking to take a step in the right direction, they will be forced to do so without all-time Bluffton University women's basketball leading scorer Tanya Rickenberg, who graduated after a stellar career as a four-year starter for the Beavers. Not only did she leave with the career scoring mark of 1,241 points, but Rickenberg also ran the show for the Bluffton as its primary ball handler during the past four years. Her leadership and skill leave difficult holes to fill, but Shutler is not looking for another Rickenberg. "We are not looking to replace her, but we are looking for others that will bring different qualities to the team and contribute."

Shutler will find leadership and experience from the eight returning players this season. Seniors Lindsay Bush (Howard/East Knox), Angie Lee (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) and Amanda Bell (Napoleon/Liberty Center) have all seen many minutes on the floor and they will tie the team together on and off the court. Several of the five returning sophomores saw considerable playing time and gained valuable experience last year and the freshmen will be counted on to start contributing right away. Shutler is confident that some of the newcomers are ready to make the leap from high school to college basketball and provide solid depth to the team in 2007-08.

Coach Shutler will be joined on the sidelines by first-year assistant coach Cara Noel. Noel brings a wealth of knowledge not only from playing but also from coaching at the Division III level. He is pleased with her coaching ability and looks forward to having someone on the bench her experience and drive. She was previously a head coach at the high school level and Shutler is glad to have someone who also knows and understands the stresses that come with being in that position. Noel is not new to recruiting or working with student-athletes and her experience and work ethic will benefit the team in many ways.

The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference is stacked again with Manchester as the favorite to win it all. With two consecutive championship seasons and only one player lost to graduation, the Spartans have made themselves targets. "Transylvania and Anderson are also solid teams in the conference while Franklin and Hanover might just surprise us," Shutler believes. The Beavers hope to push into the upper echelon and secure a spot in the HCAC tournament which is limited to six teams.

Bluffton will begin the 2007-08 season at the Allegheny College Tip-Off Tournament on November 16 and 17. They may face Allegheny, Marietta College or Grove City College over the course of the weekend. "With these kinds of tournaments, you want to give yourself the chance to be successful and I think we can do that," coach Shutler said. The women face a challenging schedule as they look to build on their success from last year, however, Coach Shutler has the Beavers moving forward in only his third season at the helm.

-BEAVERS-