Coach: Vanessa Blair, first season.
Affiliation: Northeast Conference.
1997-98 record: 15-13 overall, 10-6 in NEC.
Radio: None.
Arena: Knott Arena (3,196).
Starters lost: None.
Tickets: Free.
Best home game: St. Francis, Pa., Dec. 3. The Red Flash has knocked the Mount out of the conference tournament three straight years.
Best visiting player: Jess Zinoble, St. Francis, Pa., Dec. 3. See UMBC capsule.
Outlook: After 17 years as coach, Bill Sheahan resigned in September for health reasons and turned the reins over to Blair, a former Mountaineers star. She will attempt to rejuvenate a highly successful program that slipped recently. After winning the regular-season or tournament title -- sometimes both -- between 1990 and '96 and winning 105 of 120 NEC games in that span, the Mount has gone just 19-15 in the conference the past two seasons. This could be the season the Mount returns to prominence. All five starters return and the roster is the deepest since the NCAA tournament team of 1995. In sophomore Kia Williams, the NEC Newcomer of the Year last season, and senior Megan Gardiner, the Mount has two conference Player of the Year candidates.
4( Around the league: See UMBC capsule.
Returning players
'Name -- Deanna Butters
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-0
Pos. -- F/C
Fast breaks -- Started 22 of 28 games last season.
Name -- Margaret Carey
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 5-3
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Walk-on was a revelation last season.
Name -- Vera Feldbusch
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 5-9
Pos. -- G/F
Fast breaks -- Strong outside shooter.
Name -- Megan Gardiner
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 5-10
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- 17.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg last season.
Name -- Beth Henson
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 5-7
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Intelligent player who adds depth to backcourt.
Name -- Lauren Menichini
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 5-8
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Incumbent at the point if healthy.
@Name -- Jo-Val Nance
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 5-8
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Strong defensive player.
@Name -- Kia Williams
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 5-11
Pos. -- G/F
Fast breaks -- Superb freshman season (17.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg).
Name -- Rachael Williamson
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-2
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Out for season with torn knee ligament.
Newcomers
Name -- Jackie Banks
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-0
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- JC transfer could challenge for starting spot.
Name -- Kiana Fobbs
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 5-4
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Could see some time at point guard.
Name -- Josie Salaman
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 5-8
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Eligible after fall semester.
@Name -- Katie Walton
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 5-9
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Canadian is team's first international player.
Name -- Stacey Yankovich
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 6-0
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Strong, agile rebounder.
Pub Date: 11/13/98