Redhawks Set Expectations:
Bonvicini, her coaching staff and the student-athletes would like the season to extend past their final regular season contest in March, as they have the collective goal of seeing postseason play for the first time since returning to DI. The Redhawks are in the final season of the reclassification process and are ineligible for the NCAA Tournament; however they are eligible to compete in all other postseason tournaments.
"Our goal this year is to be in postseason. I know we're going to be really challenged; we're playing some great teams, but I do think it's a realistic goal for our team. We're still an unproven team, but I'd much rather have talent than experience at times," said Bonvicini.
This year's team features a strong mix of veterans and newcomers. Senior Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) headlines a group of seven returning letterwinners, as SU returns three starters from last year. The Redhawks also welcome eight newcomers, including senior Talisa Rhea (Junea, Alaska), an All-Pac 12 performer at Oregon State. Rhea redshirted the 2010-11 season after transferring to Seattle U and will have one season of eligibility. In addition to Rhea, the Redhawks add six true freshmen and junior college transfer Brenda Adhiambo (Mombasa, Kenya). The lineup will also be bolstered by the return of senior Maggie McCarthy (Burlingame, Calif.), who missed last season due to injury.
"We have a great work ethic, good kids and a good staff. These players work hard when they're with their coaches, but they also do extra work outside (of practice) and they also all like each other. You put those together things and you have the potential to have a good team," commented Bonvicini.
Along with eight newbies, the Redhawks have added Dorena Bingham to the coaching staff. Bingham reunites with her former AAU player Rhea and longtime colleague Bonvicini at her alma mater. She joins fellow third year assistants Joy Hollingsworth and Kristen O'Neill.
About the Schedule:
The Redhawks will be challenged by a very competitive 2011-12 slate, featuring five teams that participated in last year's NCAA Tournament. The tests begin from season opener versus UC Santa Barbara, a WNIT participant, on Friday, Nov. 11, and do not let up until the conclusion of the regular season at CSU Bakersfield on Saturday, March 10.
"We do have an advantage in that we're home consistently, but we are going to be challenge immediately in Santa Barbara. There are no easy games this season and no one game is more important than the other. It's wonderful having 17 home games; I think that's great, but we're going to have to be ready for each and every game," Bonvicini said.
Unlike years past, the Redhawks will enjoy the comforts of home consistently throughout the year. SU hosts 17 games, including their pair of annual holiday tournaments. This season's Seattle U Thanksgiving Tournament will feature: Akron, Loyola Chicago and San Francisco; while the Delta Dental Holiday Hoops Tournament includes: Eastern Michigan, Saint Francis (PA) and Saint Louis.
In addition to the home slate, the Redhawks road schedule features contests as close as a Nov. 16 faceoff with the Washington Huskies, to a Dec. 21 trip to Little Rock, Ark. to take on ULAR, and a Feb. 29 game at perennial powerhouse Stanford in Palo Alto, Calif.
"We're playing a number of mid-majors like ourselves, both from the Big West, WCC and the WAC. We host two tournaments, face solid programs in Washington and BYU, to name a few, and then also take on a perennial top-four team in the country in Stanford. We're going to be challenged, but like I said, I like this team, I like coaching this team and I think each year we've built and developed."
"I want to help guide this team into the postseason. Now that we're in a conference, beginning next year, we can compete for our conference title and a bid into the NCAA's every year - that's our goal. This is the first year I can say we will have potential to go to the postseason if everyone does their job and does it well," concluded Bonvicini.
While a new horizon awaits the Redhawks, beginning July 1, 2012 when Seattle U officially joins the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), their immediate focus is on the upcoming campaign.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's final installment of the three-part series leading up to tipoff. Part three will give fans an in-depth look at this season's players.