Oberlin takes two

The women's basketball team's first win of the season came in mid-January against the Storm of Lake Erie College. Right then and there, the team knew they liked the taste of victory and wanted more. The Yeowomen got a second helping when they travelled to Lake Erie and defeated them 49-36.

Before the game even started, the Yeowomen were bubbling with excitement. They seemed to know that they would win only their second game of the season that night. "We were psyched before the game because we thought we could win," said sophomore co-captain Carrie Losneck.

Losneck led the team in virtually every statistical category with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Still, this was not a one-woman victory as coach Ann Gilbert implemented a new subbing system, allowing nine players to score.

"She started five and then brought out all five," explained Losneck. "A lot more people got to contribute."

"Earlier in the season we just didn't feel like we had the depth to utilize that type of system. Against Lake Erie we felt like we could do it," said Gilbert.

Bringing fresh legs into the game allowed Oberlin a strong start, but Lake Erie played well also. At the half, the Yeowomen led 20-17. In the second half, the subbing system paid off as Oberlin scored 29 points while holding the Storm to 28 percent shooting from the field.

Several first-year players showed improvement over the course of the season. Two who stood out against Lake Erie were first-years post-player Jana Caylor and backcourt player Amie Ely. Caylor came in for a few minutes and immediately hit two turnaround shots from the paint. "She's a very good post-player and I think that gave her some confidence. The shots she hit were like turnaround, in-your-face types," said Gilbert.

Explaining the team's overall improvement during this season, Losneck explained, "We got more comfortable with one another's playing style. First-year players also got more comfortable playing at the college level."

It seems what's on task now for the Yeowomen is to find a way to carry over the team's improve---ment to next season, which is harder than it sounds. One crucial question is who will step up to become the team's vocal leader. The team already has a player who leads by example in Losneck, who finished in the top 20 in NCAC scoring, top 10 in free throw percentage, and top five in rebounds, steals and blocked shots. Yet she admits herself that it's not in her nature to become the team's vocal leader on the court.

Fortunately, the team only has one graduating senior on this year's team, Mayday Levine. Assuming everyone will be back next season, the Yeowomen should have 12 returning players, including all three captains. Unfortunately, Levine's departure will be a huge loss on and off the court. "Having her in our program has really made a difference," said Gilbert. "She's a great kid and athlete."

Oberlin is hoping for more "great kids and athletes" in the near future to help improve on this season's 2-22 record.