'98 University of Pennsylvania Women's Basketball Team

Women's basketball returns a talented sophomore class. "Our youth can be our strength in that they are talented and got experience last year. However, they are still young." In two sentences, Penn women's basketball coach Julie Soriero perfectly summed up the Quakers situation as they enter their 1998-'99 campaign. Last year, youth proved to be both Penn's strength and weakness as the Quakers cruised to a 13-13 record, 8-6 in the Ivy League. Although most .500 records are a sign of mediocrity, last year's 13-13 record was a positive sign of things to come. Previously, the Quakers finished their 1995-'96 and 1996-'97 seasons at 3-23 and 6-20, respectively. Youth played an instrumental role in last year's comeback. Starting the year with only three players who had college experience, the team looked to six freshmen to join graduated seniors Colleen Kelly and Michelle Maldonado, and current senior Sue Van Stone on the hardwood. Three of those six -- forward Diana Caramanico, center Jessica Allen and point guard Erin Ladley -- started last Monday's exhibition game against Belarus. "We're trying to get more consistent," Soriero said. "We found some young players who were consistent last year like Diana. Now we need more of the young players, like Erin Ladley and Jessica Allen, to do the same." Caramanico, the Ivy League, the Philadelphia Big Five and ECAC Rookie of the Year, was the first player in Penn history to earn the Ivy League Rookie of the Year distinction. She averaged a double-double for the season with 20.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. She also contributed defensively by leading the Red and Blue with 34 blocks. Last year, both Ladley and Caramanico started 24 of the Quakers' 26 games. Allen started three games, while fellow sophomore Elisabeth Alexander made the starting line-up nine times. Experience should make Penn a much tougher opponent now that Stone, who started every game last year at forward and finished third on the team in rebounds and assists, is complemented by sophomores instead of freshmen. The biggest obstacle Penn should have to overcome is replacing shooting guard Kelly, who amassed over 1,000 points during her Penn career. However, Soriero will not be going to last year's bench to find Kelly's replacement. Kelly's shoes will be filled by Boston College transfer Mandy West, who sat out last year due to NCAA regulations. "Colleen was a crucial part of our team and a great three-point shooter," Stone said. "Fortunately, three-point shooting is a strong part of Mandy's game." In her freshman year at Boston College, West hit 45 three pointers, which was the fifth best single season total in Boston College history. Moreover, her average of 2.0 three point field goals per game was fifth best in Big East. "Mandy gives us the same scoring potential [as Kelly], but I think she's better defensively," Soriero said. The Quakers will also see the return of junior forward Jen Houser, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL. After missing the beginning of her freshman season due to a wrist injury, Houser averaged nine minutes and 2.3 points per game as a rookie. In a lineup already loaded with sophomores, Penn also has four freshmen who made the squad. Forward Tiffany Bell, along with guards Maria Demeke, Julie Epton, and Melissa Lopez, comprise the Class of 2002. If the current freshmen contribute like last year's freshmen did, the Quakers will probably have their first winning record in eight seasons. "I expect us to be in contention for the Ivy League title," Stone said. "That's our goal for the year."