Experienced Saints Team Looks For Improvement

Villa Duchesne basketball coach Jane Ellen Kuenzle is hoping that an improved work ethic will lead to success for her squad this winter.

"I feel that you play the way you practice," Kuenzle said. "We were able to make some progress last year but I felt that the work ethic could have been better and I have noticed some improvement in that area this year."

The Saints were certainly respectable with their young squad this year and finished the season with a winning record at 13-12. They were 2-3 in the Metro Women's Athletic Association Red Division.

They return almost everyone from that team including  post player Beth Nogalski.

The 6-foot-2 senior led the team in scoring last year, averaging almost a dozen points a game.

"Beth is a guard trapped in a post player's body," Kuenzle said. "She is very versatile and can score from anywhere on the floor."

Senior forward/centers Karena Kaufmann and Kate Kuenzle are other returning starters. Kaufmann averaged over eight points a game and led the Saints in rebounding while Kuenzle is a player who can contribute in a variety of ways.

Another senior, Maggie Heintzelmann, returns after leading the team in steals and assists last year. But she is currently slowed after recuperating from a leg injury.

Junior Kaitlea Frost has taken over the starting point guard position and is joined in the backcourt by junior Lauren Nickson.

Junior forward/center Hanna Benben and sophomore guard Alex Roth provide solid depth off the bench.

If the opening game of the 2010-11 season is any indication, it is going to be an interesting season for the Saints. They defeated Northwest 68-67 in double overtime.

"This is a pretty seasoned team but they have to go out and perform," Kuenzle said. "We have everything we need to have a successful year. I just want them to work their tails off and see where that takes us."