The St. Bonaventure women's basketball team is in full-practice mode at the Reilly Center Arena, preparing ever so hard for their exhibition game against Mercyhurst on November 4, before beginning their season against Siena on November 11. Last year, the women finished 9-18 overall (3-13 conference). However, in those nine wins was a six-game winning streak to start the season, meaning that they finished 3-18 in their last 21 games after starting 6-0.

The team loses leading scorer (6th in school history) and team captain Stefanie Collins to graduation and point guards Amanda Pierce and Chere Marshall to personal reasons, but the rest of last year's team returns. Forward Audrey Latendresse and guard Priscilla "Snake" Edwards proved last year that both can drive to the hoop and hit the 3-ball. Guard Katelyn Murray showed that she has a shooting touch from the arc as well. Forwards Ashley Edwards and Erica Schiefen both demonstrated good play in the post as well.

Head coach Jim Crowley welcomes three new players, Dana Mitchell (Fairless, PA); Julie Molloy (Grove City, PA); and Andrea Doneth (East Lansing, MI). Mitchell is one of the most decorated recruits in recent years, her combination of size and athleticism will allow her to make an immediate impact ... a player with a huge upside and unlimited potential. Molloy is  guard who has unlimited shooting range and the ability to score points in bunches ... her ability to score and handle the ball will provide the Bonnies with solid depth in the backcourt. Doneth is her ability to score inside and outside makes her a tough matchup at the guard position ... mature beyond her years, her knowledge of the game will allow her to compete for big minutes.

With a strong returning cast from last season who want to win and three new players who showed strong potential and upside in their high school days, the St. Bonaventure community hopes for strong things from the women's basketball team. With a men's team that usually performs poorly year after year, the women's team will look for increased fan support from the community and some respect in the Atlantic 10 conference.

In my eyes, they can do it. It will be very very hard without Collins (who would hit three after three to bring the Bonnies back into a game or put them ahead for good), but if the returning starters can step up their game without someone they looked up to for four years, this team can prove many people wrong in the conference and win some crucial games.