WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 9, 2018) – The King's College women's basketball team had a strong season last year in 2017-18, making the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) playoffs and finishing with a 15-11 record including a 10-4 conference mark. It was a good season, thanks to a strong team chemistry and leadership brought by a effective returning group.

The Monarchs were picked third in the 2018-19 MAC Freedom Coaches Preseason Poll, as they are set to return four starters from last year's team including leading scorer and rebounder Rebecca Prociak. The now junior was voted as a First Team All-MAC Freedom performer, while head coach Caitlin Hadzimichalis picked up 2017-18 Coach of the Year honors within the league.

Expectations will continue to be high this year due to the returning talent, as fellow All-MAC Freedom performer Mackenzie Yori is also back for her junior year. The calling card for the Monarchs last season was the ability to get the ball inside to Prociak and now-departed Olivia Hoffman. King's had the best passing bigs in the conference, and the shooters benefited with open shots and consistent driving lanes.

The attitude again this year will be to get the ball to the forwards, but it could be a different look on how they attack. With Hoffman, a more back-to-the-basket forward, graduated, King's will look to play more one-in sets that will highlight the play-making abilities of the team this year. In preseason practice, the athleticism and court vision of all the players has been a strength.

It's apparent that the team has gelled well, as the strong upperclassman group has welcomed in six talented newcomers that all bring something to the table. Though the team will not be quite as tall this season, its determination and hustle will still allow Hadzimichalis to do some things in both the half court and full court defensively to slow teams down.

If the preseason Red-White game was an indication, this team will be able to score and score with proficiency. The transition offense has already clicked and that has shown in scrimmages, as King's has gotten open threes and easy buckets down low thanks to the forwards athleticism. If the Monarchs can be as efficient in the half court offense, and stay patient, this is a team that could be a nightmare to guard for 30 seconds each possession.

Another thing that the Monarchs have been working on is the motto of winning each possession and making sure that the details are just as important as the big things. "Though we have a solid returning group, we played a little different last year so finding the flow and understanding new roles will be important," said Hadzimichalis. "If we can focus on winning each possession and making the details a priority on both ends, I think we'll end up where we want in the long run."

The long run goal of course will be to return to the MAC Freedom playoffs with the hope of making the title game. That's a long way away, but the mentality is certainly there. "We get after it…the team is competitive and scrappy and strives to be good. We love being out there, we fly around and if we can be good in both directions it'll put us where we want to be."

GUARDS
In the collegiate game in 2018, guard play has become so important because of the way it allows teams to set the tempo of a game. Tempo dictates everything, but the good thing for King's is that it returns all three starting guards from a season ago. What's even better is that all three guards bring completely different styles, personalities and strengths that all fit well together.

Offensively, Yori was third on the team in scoring last season with 12.0 points a night, but she shot 43.1 percent from deep and had more assists than turnovers. As a lead guard, you'd be hard pressed to find a player that is smarter, sees the game and supports her teammates better than Yori. Look for her to continue to be a great offensive option, while her 44 steals a season ago was tops on the team and ninth in the MAC Freedom.

Senior Lindsey Dippre played in all 26 games for the Monarchs, getting one start, and was second on the team in made triples with 25. Dippre has looked great in preseason workouts, and her intensity and attitude on the floor is infectious to her teammates. The Scranton, PA product is also very strong defensively, reads plays and is an effective passer.

One of the unsung heroes for last year's team was Kayla Dillinger, a now-junior who started all 26 games while playing 23 minutes per game. Dillinger is the type of player that makes everyone around her better, a coach-on-the-floor leader that knows exactly where she should be and often what the other team is doing before it does it.

Behind the returners, King's has a young group of freshmen backcourt players that will look to battle for minutes. Newcomer Emily Kriston fits what the Monarchs are doing both offensively and defensively, and her tenacity and drive shows each day on the floor. Despite her 5-1 frame, Kriston plays much bigger than her height and is always around the ball.

Fellow newcomer Zoe Stein has also fit in well for the Monarchs in the backcourt. Though more of a wing, Stein has also handled the ball some and plays like a seasoned player despite just being a freshman. Her versatility and shooting ability should come in handy for the Monarchs.

Freshman Kristen Coleman is coming off some injuries during her prep years but has shown the ability to knock down shots out past the three-point range. If she get's going with the jumper, she'll provide another aerial threat for a team with a ton of shooters. Guard Erika Freely is another quick guard that isn't afraid of contact, plays good defense and shows solid potential.

FORWARDS
The forward group returns three players, including two full-time starters from a season ago, while also featuring two new players that provide a different skill set for the Monarchs.

King's will look to Prociak to continue her dominance both on the offense and defensive ends. From nearby Holy Redeemer High School, Prociak averaged 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in 2017-18, while also finishing 12^th in the MAC Freedom in assists per game. The junior is great around the rim, can finish with each hand and loves playing through contact. 

Fellow forward and now senior Alexis Steeber was second on the team in scoring last year, pouring 12.2 points per game while pulling down 5.4 rebounds and blocking 18 shots. Playing mostly as a small forward last year, Steeber will most likely be a stretch four as her game fits perfectly for that role. Steeber's range extends out past the three-point arc, and her game is very well-rounded with great hands, a strong ability to cut to get open while loving beat defenders off the bounce. 

In preseason practice, one of most improved players due to her work ethic and attitude has been junior Sara Wolbert. The 6-0 forward played in only 16 games last season, but her role will increase in 2018-19 with the departure of Hoffman. Look for Wolbert to provide important minutes inside this year due to her size, rebounding ability and defensive prowess.

Though she's listed as a guard/forward, freshman Samantha Rajza is the type of player that just needs to be on the floor. The Holy Redeemer product plays with a no-fear attitude, and her collegiate-ready athleticism has allowed her to step right in for King's. Rajza is a terror in the open court, passes the ball amazingly well and can fill it up when she gets going. Defensively, she seemingly gets her hands in every passing lane and rebounds very well for a wing.

Fellow freshman Sarah Gabel is another wing player that will see most of her action at the small forward position. Willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, Gabel is coachable, battles hard and understands concepts both on the offensive and defensive end.

COACHING STAFF
King's will have some familiarity to the staff in 2018-19, as Hadzimichalis welcomes back a pair of assistants in Brionna Johnson and Bob Fitzsimmons. Now in her third season as the head coach, Hadzimichalis was an assistant at King's for seven years as she's now been a Monarch for 10 seasons. Johnson was a standout at Wesley College, and is in her second season as an assistant for the Monarchs. Fitzsimmons owns 35 years of coaching experience and has now been an assistant at King's for three seasons.

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King's will get its season underway in 2018-19 on the road at Gwynedd Mercy University Tuesday, November 13 at 6 p.m., as the Monarchs play their first four games away from McGrane Gymnasium. King's returns to McGrane for its home opener Saturday, November 24 at 3 p.m. with a non-conference battle with Neumann University. Ticket prices for home games are $5 for adults, $2 for seniors, $2 for non-King's students showing I.D.  In addition, children under age-six shall be admitted free.  King's College students attend free at all ticketed events with the presentation of their current student I.D.