After breaking through their first game jitters, SU decisively defeated their first exhibition opponent Northwest University 75-54 on Nov. 3. Led by 18 points from sophomore Maggie McCarthy, SeattleU was able to open up the new era of Redhawk basketball on a strong note.
Looking forward, SU will take on the Saints of Saint Martin's in their second preseason game. SMU, a Division II squad, will kick off their 2009-10 regular season campaign versus the Redhawks. Last season the Saints went 16-12, including a 7-9 record in Great Northwest Conference play.
Saint Martin's heads to Seattle behind junior forward Dara Zach, the team's top returner. Zach averaged 14.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. She tallied 399 points, 63 assists, 50 steals and 10 blocks in 28 games played.
"We are their first game," said head coach Joan Bonvicini. "It is a big game for them and it is a big game for us. We respect all of our opponents and we just know we are going to be challenged on Saturday."
As part of the four-part series leading up to the Redhawks first regular season contests, part two will introduce fans to the SeattleU guards. While they may be the shortest players in the lineup, this tenacious group of five players brings a lot of drive and determination to the court.
Senior Cassidy Murillo
As her new head coach describes her, senior Cassidy Murillo is a true leader. She heads into her final season behind 605 career points in 68 regular season games played. The Yakima, Wash. native holds three all-time individual records and is the top-10 in individual single season records in four categories. The heart and soul of the Redhawk basketball team, Murillo looks to lead SU into a successful Division I season.
"She is one of the best leaders I've ever coached both on-and-off the court," said Bonvicini. "She is very impressive and an unselfish player. I think she has a great feel for the team and its' strengths. Not only is she a good leader and shooter, but in general she is an outstanding representative for our program."
Her commitment to advancing the program extends well beyond practice schedules and game times. The senior, who has already been offered a job at The Boeing Company after graduating this upcoming spring, was integral in helping her new coach transition into the SeattleU program.
"She has really helped my transition," continued Bonvicini. "She was the first player I talked to after being named head coach. The thing I was so impressed with her is she is a true leader and takes things to heart."
"Cassidy is always looking for the betterment of team. She is an excellent student and is a true student-athlete. She is someone that you really want the opportunity to coach," concluded the first season Redhawk head coach.
Sophomore Kourtney Parks
After earning the starting nod in the Redhawks first exhibition contest, SeattleU can look to community college transfer Kourtney Parks to add depth to the SU lineup this season. Versus Northwest University, she had five points and four rebounds in 30 minutes of work.
Prior to joining SeattleU, she played a season at Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore. While at the junior college, she was named to the All-NAACC First Team and helped lead her team to league championship.
"I was very impressed with Kourtney," Bonvicini said of the Redhawk newcomer. "She is a quick and scrappy player. Kourtney is a good shooter and ball handler. She has a good change of pace and can really get into another gear."
Sophomore Bianca Williams
With a season of Division I experience under her belt, Bianca Williams returns to the floor for her sophomore season. The South Torrance, Calif. native, who saw action in 23 games, scored 61 points in 259 minutes of work in the 2008-09 season.
"Bianca is coming off a knee injury, but will be playing soon," Bonvicini said. "She is an outstanding shooter, a good worker and moves well without the ball. She is also very unselfish player."
Redshirt Freshman Jamie Johnson
After having her true freshman season cut short due to injury, redshirt freshman Jamie Johnson is ready to build upon her foundational collegiate basketball experiences in 2009-10. The scrappy guard has worked tremendously hard in the off-season to improve her overall game and to be capable of taking on a major role this season in the Redhawk lineup.
"Jamie is a very hard worker," Bonvicini said. "She is a smart player, who gets to the basket well for a guard. She is an unselfish player and is a good on ball defender."
Redshirt Freshman Monica Nevi
Monica Nevi is ready to hit the ground running after redshirting her true freshman season last year. After focusing on continual individual improvement, Nevi made her 2009-10 season debut versus Northwest on Nov. 3. She was able to help move the ball around the key and in nine minutes of action she knocked in three points.
"Monica is a very good set shooter," commented Bonvicini. "She is a hard worker and a solid screener. In general, she does all the little things that coaches like."
The Bonvicini Breakdown
With her Redhawk debut out of the way, Joan Bonvicini can look forward to continuing to getting back into the swing of coaching. After a year hiatus from the job she is so passionate for - her return to the bench was a successful one.
"I felt truly excited and happy to do it again, but it was like riding a bike," she said. "I just know having done this a long time - the players are going to reflect the coaching staff."
"I thought we were well prepared considering it was an exhibition game. I think we worked well in unison and I was impressed with the way the team made adjustments in the course of the game," concluded fourth head coach in SeattleU women's basketball history.
Fans - don't forget to stick around after the Redhawk women's game to watch first season head coach Cameron Dollar and the SeattleU men's team take the floor for their first exhibition contest versus Pacific Lutheran at 7 p.m.