Basketball shoots to score

Elizabeth Pacheco Sports Editor

The Vassar women’s basketball team hosted the Vassar Tip-Off Tournament from Nov. 17-Nov. 18, marking the official opening of their season. Although Mitchell College narrowly defeated the Brewers, the team played with great heart and intensity, giving fans a glimpse of their potential for the season.

Leading the team this season is new Head Coach Barb Bausch. Having come from a successful head coach position at Guilford College and an assistant coach position at Cal State Fullerton, Bausch has set high standards for her team.

“In the past I was used to making it to the NCAA tournament,” said Bausch. “While I realize that this goal may not be achievable this season, I still want to bring the team to the level I am used to coaching at.” To help players become more physically prepared, Bausch has brought in male students to play with the team during practice.

“[Bausch] has been a great change for our team; she brings a much-needed combination of enthusiasm and intensity,” said co-captain Chelsea Katzenberg ’08. “She pushes us extremely hard, but in a positive manner, and I feel that we’ve come a long way since we started practicing in October.”

Going into the Tip-Off Tournament, the team had played in a scrimmage against St. Joseph College on Nov. 4 and one other against SUNY New Paltz on Nov. 11. A young team with onlyl two members who have seen substantial playing time, the Brewers easily handled Southern Vermont College in the first round, but allowed their nerves to get the best of them in the finals. During the first half against
Mitchell, Vassar fell behind by a significant margin. However, in the first five minutes of the second half, Vassar had a 15-4 run, momentarily tying up the score and only losing 66-58.

“Mitchell played with an open style, something we’re not used to,” said Bausch. “But it was a good challenge and forced us to slow down and play a half-court game. Going on the scoring run in the second half showed a lot of character as well as potential as to where we’re heading.”

Following the tournament, the team played Hunter College on Nov. 21. In another close loss, the Brewers were defeated 62-58. Despite the loss, Katzenberg reached a career-high of 15 points and six rebounds, making five of six from the floor.

Besides Katzenberg, the team has also seen standout performances from the lone senior on the team, Rachel Cerlen ’07. Named to the All-Tournament Team for the Tip-Off Tournament as well as the Liberty League’s Co-Forward of the Week two weeks in a row (the week of Nov. 20 and Nov. 27), Cerlen has shown her teammates that she has no problem adapting to a new coaching style, even in her fourth year on the team.

“Obviously, having a new coach in the later stages of one’s career can be somewhat difficult and involves making changes on the court as well as mentally and physically,” said Cerlen. “But I think that the older members of our team recognize this and have done a good job adjusting.”

Along with Cerlen and the two captains, Katzenberg and Melissa Jones ’08, Bausch has been impressed by the team’s dedication. “As a whole, the team has outstanding attitudes and are leaders by example. The players get along great and have really expressed a desire to excel,” said Bausch.

As she looks to improve upon last season, Bausch hopes to get the team to 500 or better this year. This includes doing well in the Liberty League tournament and challenging the other team in the conference.

“This team has incredible potential and while league play will be tough as always, we have a team that should be successful. We’ve had a somewhat tough start but it’s still early, and between an incredible first-year class and committed returning players, I know we can surprise teams this year,” said Katzenberg.

Jones agreed, “We will continue to have a lot of work to do, but I think we are coming together very well so far as a team.”

Bausch would also like to build a strong crowd of supporters at games and aims to develop a home court advantage. “The large number of supporters at the Tip-Off Tournament was a great start, and I hope fans will continue to cheer for the team as the season progresses,” said Bausch.

After another loss (60-49) to the undefeated Stevens Institute of Technology on Monday, Nov. 27, the Brewers are currently 1-3 in the season. On Friday Dec. 1, they will travel to Haverford College for the Seven Sisters Tournament. The Brewers are preparing for playing fifth-seeded team Wellesley College in the first round of the tournament.