As women's basketball coach Pat Knapp analyzed a disappointing 7-22 campaign, he noticed a clear and disturbing trend.
In 19 of 29 games -- many of them in the Ivy League - Penn's opponents started a small lineup, which created matchup problems for the Quakers.
This season, Knapp is looking to follow suit and play to his team's strengths by employing a four-guard starting lineup and emphasizing a more up-tempo style.
"We will not ignore matchups, so if we have to go big, we will," Knapp said. "We weren't getting a lot of scoring from the middle . so we hope that we have our five best scorers on the court a lot."
Senior Carrie Biemer - who led the Quakers with 13.9 points per game last season - has been practicing both at center and on the wing and said she is "excited about the new offense."
"I like to step out and shoot, but I also love posting up," Biemer said. "So it's kind of suitable for the kind of player I am."
Last season, the Quakers' 56.2 points per game placed them sixth in the Ivy League, but the small lineup will have to add scoring without sacrificing on defense, where Penn also ranked sixth with 67.3 points allowed per game.
"You have to press people, you have to help out if they're going to post a lot," Knapp said. "We certainly just can't let people go down the court. . It will only cause us problems if we're not tough enough."
With Maggie Burgess quitting the team after last season, the anchor in the middle will be 6-foot-3 senior Katarina Lackner, whom Knapp believes is "one of the best post defenders in the Ivy League."
Lackner said that she likes the team's new style because other post players can't keep up with Penn's guards. Some of the burden of interior rebounding may fall on Lackner's shoulders, but the defense will be a team effort.
"Our guards are really scrappy and quick, and they get in there for the rebounds, too," Lackner said.
Despite being only 5-foot-7, senior guard Anca Popovici is especially known for her hustle and was the team's third leading rebounder last season.
Last season, Penn's lone senior, Kim Franklin, played in only 13 games due to injury. Biemer said that the presence of four seniors who can be veteran leaders will help the team be more consistent.
"Our four seniors will probably start," Knapp said. "Our seniors have to be our leaders, they have to be experienced, they have to set the tone for the team."
With Burgess and two others no longer on the roster, there will be a lot of opportunity for younger players to step up. Of the freshman class, Knapp has been especially impressed with freshman Tyler Cumbo, whom he said has a good chance to play "meaningful" minutes, as well as walk-on Julie Becker, whom he called one of the best shooters on the team.
But Knapp said the freshmen still have a lot to learn, and after a seven-win season, the rest of the team also has plenty of room for improvement.
Knapp, Biemer and Popovici all cited different keys to a comeback season - namely, spacing on offense, eliminating turnovers and maintaining a consistent energy level.
The Quakers have plenty to work on, but they're hoping that a new offense and deep veteran backcourt will help do the trick.
