Lady Senators Look For Big Season

Contact: Darrell Orand
334-244-3832
November 1, 2009

After finishing last season 20-9 overall and 15-5 in the Southern States Athletic Conference, the 2009-10 Auburn Montgomery women’s basketball program looks to advance one step closer to the next level. That level begins Monday night, Nov. 3, when AUM travels to Mobile to open the season at the University of Mobile at 5:30 p.m.

"Our intentions this season are to take our game to another level, coming everyday to practice with the right commitment, focus and intensity level to get better," said Dan Davis, Auburn Montgomery head women’s basketball coach.

AUM returns nine players from last year’s team, adding six talented newcomers to help get the Lady Senators on the road for their chance at the title.

The team strives to play by the team motto: Playing for each other, playing as hard as you can, leaving everything on the floor, doing things right, being unselfish and loving one another.

"Fans and supporters of the AUM women’s basketball team will be proud of the product that we put out on the floor. We will showcase passion, intensity, and hard-work and play as a unified team," said Davis. "We have to stay committed to playing great defense, rebounding, valuing the ball and executing every game."

The Lady Senators return six guards from last season. With the addition of four newcomers, they should be a solid group of players.

"Guards Kala Smith, Carlie Ainsworth and Courtney Thacker are a strong mix of returning players," said Davis.

After transferring to the program last year, senior guard Kala Smith returns for her final season at AUM. "Kala has good play making-abilities, she is steady at the point guard position and showcased a solid junior campaign year at AUM," said Davis. Kala averaged 6.5 points per game and led the team in assists last season, tallying 89.

Carlie Ainsworth returns for her junior season. She was one of three players to see action in all 29 games last season. She was the third leading scorer, averaging 11.3 points per game last year. "She is a combo guard that can play the point and shooting guard position. I am expecting her to present more of a leadership role in the absence of Haley," said Davis. She led the team in 3-point shots and steals, totaling 81 and 51 respectively.

SSAC All-freshman player Courtney Thacker returns to the Lady Senators line up for her sophomore season. "She is an all-around guard in our league. I will look to her to score more from the outside. She is a strong rebounder and an intelligent player," said Davis. Thacker averaged five points and 2.2 rebounds per game along with a 71 percent average from the free-throw line.

Also returning to help out in the guard positions are Adrienne Marsh, Nicole Jones and Tiffany Hall. "With their tremendous mix of abilities they should help us win basketball games," said Davis. "They have come back from the summer better-skilled, having a better understanding of our system and more complete players."

Freshmen guards Candace Dyer, Ashley Grimes, Kamesha Strong and Stephanie Torrence "are a good core of young guards. As they develop and learn our system they will provide valuable help at the guard position," said Davis.

"This season we have added more depth in the post position. With that we can mix up our defenses, which will allow us to play different styles offense," said Davis.

Melanie Gess returns for her senior season, coming off a major run last year averaging 6.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. She was one of three players to see action in all 29 games last season and nears 500 career rebounds. "She is one of the most improved players from last season, who grew between her sophomore and junior years, which will carry over into her senior season," said Davis.

The Lady Senators lost all-Conference and second leading scorer Haley McIntyre to a preseason injury, though she will undergo rehab and return next season.

This year’s co-captain and 3rd Team All-American Cassie Moore returns for her junior season coming off a remarkable year, leading the team averaging 16 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. She also led the Lady Senators in blocks, totaling 93 on the season. She saw action in 23 games after missing the first few matches due to the recovery of an injury. "Cassie is one of the strengths of our team. She is a game changer on both ends of the floor," said Davis.

Also returning to help out in the post is Shanise Foster. "She has shown a lot of improvement from last year and should help contribute more in the post," said Davis.

Junior transfer Rachel Cunningham comes to the Lady Senator program as a former member of a national runner-up team. "She has defensive and rebounding abilities, an inside presence and she can shoot 3-pointers," said Davis.

Freshmen forward Caitlin Cunningham, who signed in the early signing period has really shown a lot of promise in the preseason and should be a valuable asset in the post," said Davis.

The Lady Senators have not waited long to jump into the fire with top competition. After playing at Mobile, the Lady Senators will face Bethel College (Tenn.) and Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) at the Freed-Hardeman LionBacker Classic. Both teams played in the NAIA National Tournament last season and both are ranked in the preseason poll. Freed-Hardeman is sixth and Bethel is 20^th, two spots above the Lady Senators.

The first home game for AUM will be Nov. 10 when they will host the University of Mobile in the return game at 6 p.m.

-AUM-