POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 14, 2012) – Some basketball pundits would call the 2012-13 Vassar College women's basketball team a program with the best of both worlds. The Brewers have a 15-player roster knee deep in underclassmen, but amongst that group are arguably the Liberty League Player of the Year and several All-League selections.

Ten players that comprise this year's team are either freshmen or sophomores. The remaining five feature junior guard Cydni Matsuoka, widely considered one of the best players in the Liberty League, if not the country, sophomore forward Colleen O'Connell, the league Rookie of the Year last season and junior forward Hannah Senftleber, who was an All-League selection her freshman season.

The question begs: Can this assembly of talented players lead the Brewers to a third straight Liberty League Championship and appearance in the NCAA Division III National Championships.  In pre-season voting by League coaches, Vassar was chosen second behind St. Lawrence, so there is a clear indication that the Brewers will be heavily in the mix this season.

Vassar is coming off an 18-10, 8-6 season, one in which the Brewers won the Liberty League Championship with a dramatic upset of St. Lawrence. The Saints went 16-0 in league play before Vassar registered a stunning 79-75 victory to claim the title. The victory earned the Brewers a second straight NCAA berth, historic for the program. In the first round of the NCAAs, Vassar lost a tight 73-68 loss to Lebanon Valley College.

Vassar will open defense of its Liberty League title this Saturday, November 17 at the Onine's Classic against The College at Brockport at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, Vassar faces Nazareth College at 1:00 p.m.

“It's exciting to come off two consecutive Liberty League Championships and see how we will come together this season,” said fourth year head coach Candice Brown. “The players are hungry to advance on the national scene. But it's going to be important to focus on Liberty League play first.”

There is no masking that Vassar enters the 2012-13 season needing to replace Brittany Parks, the school's all-time leading scorer and member of two Liberty League Championship teams – and forward Kristyn Tempora who helped anchor a strong Brewer frontcourt.

“Brittany and Kristyn will be missed, no doubt,” says Brown. “What they brought to the team can't be replaced, but it does give our returning players a chance to step up and take up some of the production we will be missing.”

Super Cydni
Production won't be a problem with Matsuoka, who led Vassar in scoring (15.8 ppg), 3-point field goals (163, 5.8 per game), assists (126, 4.5 apg) and steals (1.7 spg).  She scored in double figures in all but two contests, and those type of numbers earned her First-Team All-Liberty League accolades. D3hoops.com named her a Third-Team All-America in its pre-season release. Matsuoka led the Brewers in scoring 16 times, including a 25-point season high against Union. “Having potentially the best player in the league gives us a solid base,” says Brown.

Frontcourt Prowess
O'Connell, who enjoyed a stellar first season as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year, averaged 8.1 ppg and a team best 9.5 rpg. O'Connell had a double-double in nine contests, including a season high 17 rebounds against William Smith in a game that helped Vassar clinch a spot in the Liberty League playoffs. “Cydni and Colleen are our captains and are a great example for our team,” says Brown. “It's a cliché, but they are the glue that holds our team together. The team feeds off their energy and work ethic.”

The frontcourt has a stronghold in returning junior Hannah Senftleber, who is completely healthy after missing a half dozen games last season. She averaged 8.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg her sophomore season, which included a big 21 point performance against Skidmore. As a freshman, Senftleber showed her mettle with 10 games scoring and rebounding in double figures.  Adding necessary experience to the frontcourt is senior Natalie Allen, who has played in 74 games and started in 31 during her career. She was a key contributor in helping Vassar win its first Liberty League Championship as a sophomore, scoring 10 points against St. Lawrence and six against William Smith. The frontcourt is further bolstered by freshman newcomers Rose Serafini from Milton District in Milton, ON, Canada and Naomi Johnson from Burr & Burton Academy in Manchester, VT.

A Bolstered Backcourt
The backcourt has an abundance of quality guard play. Sophomore Nyah Berg started nearly half the season, played in all 28 contests and failed to score in only three games. Her turnovers were exceedingly low (0.9) and she contributed statistically in all areas of the game.

Senior Ali Higgins gained vast experience as a starter in 14 games, including the entire post season. She brings an intensity and defensive mindset that permeates throughout the entire backcourt. A slew of sophomore guards saw action in more than 75 percent of Vassar's games last year, which bodes well in terms of depth and rotation possibilities.  That group includes Michelle Foreman, Allyson Pemberton, Michaela Janowski and Delaney Fischer.

Brown is particularly excited about her freshman guard group, heralded by Alex Moon and Caitlin Drakeley.

The Opponents
Vassar will play a 16-game Liberty League schedule.  Non-league games against Wesleyan and Farmingdale highlight the slate, as does the Montclair State University Holiday Tournament with a meeting against Widener in the opening round, as wellas the Oninie's Classic in Rochester.

“We have a very competitive and balanced out-of-league schedule,” says Brown. “It's designed to get our team ready for Liberty League play.”