LHU Opens with Davis & Elkins Friday
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven University women’s basketball team is set to start the 2015-16 season this Friday, the Bald Eagles are poised to return to the PSAC playoffs.
The Bald Eagles are set to open the season this weekend at the Wolf’s Bus Lines Classic hosted by Shippensburg University. The Bald Eagles will play Davis & Elkins on Friday (1 p.m.) and Saint Michael’s on Saturday (1 p.m.)
LHU picked fifth in Preseason Poll:
Lock Haven was picked fifth in the 2015 PSAC Eastern Division Preseason Coaches’ Poll. After going 10-12 in PSAC play and earning the fifth-seed out of the Eastern Division the Bald Eagles earned a spot in the PSAC Tournament last season for the first time in 24 years.
Senior leadership at guard:
LHU returns two senior guards, Rachel McDaniel and J.J. Hilliard. They look to provide senior leadership and a scoring spark from the guard position. Hilliard averaged eight points and three assists a year ago and McDaniel added seven points per game.
Several freshmen looking to provide offense for the Bald Eagles:
The Bald Eagles added four freshman to the squad this offseason who will look to make a huge impact on the team. Madison McHale is a freshman out of New Castle, Pa. and played at Neshannock high school. She averaged 19.2 points per game.
Ayanda McGill-Jefferson will look to add offense and size to the Bald Eagle lineup. In the LL League Championship game she had 20 points and 25 rebounds. She looks to have a big impact on the 2015-2016 season.
Returning experience provides great depth:
The Bald Eagles return three seniors; Rachel Mcdaniel, Syvae McDaniel, and J.J. Hilliard. The group not only brings scoring and leadership, but a defensive presence. Coach Jenn Smith said she believes Rachel McDaniel is one of the best defenders in the PSAC.
After averaging 5.5 points per game a season ago, junior Loren Kaiser looks to have a bigger role in the Bald Eagle offense this year.
Sydney Morse played in 26 out of 27 possible games for Lock Haven last year. She looks to expand her role this year and give LHU a big boost from the forward position.
Syvae McDaniel comes into her senior season after playing in all 27 games for the Bald Eagles last season. She shot .739 from the free throw line and provided great defense averaging just under one steal per game.
A look ahead:
After this weekend’s opening games, the Bald Eagles will hit the road for three straight PSAC contests. Lock Haven is scheduled to travel to West Chester on Wednesday, November 18, California (PA) on Saturday, November 21 and Slippery Rock on Sunday, November 22.
Starting November 28 the Bald Eagles will have six consecutive home games. LHU will host Georgian Court for a non-conference matchup on November, 28 at 7 p.m.
