PRESEASON VIDEO
SEATTLE (Nov. 8) – Seattle University women’s basketball starts a new era in the 2016-17 season, as Coach Suzy Barcomb takes over the program.
Barcomb, a graduate of the University of Washington, comes from Cal State East Bay. She guided that program to its first-ever conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance. Barcomb also spent 12 seasons as head coach at the University of Puget Sound. In her 18-year career, she has won 332 games.
As Barcomb takes over the team, the Redhawks will begin a transformation into what Barcomb hopes is a successful program.
“Every team I’ve coached is fundamentally-sound and defense-oriented,” said Barcomb. “There will be a higher level of competition and it’s more about we than me. It’s living and doing with intention.”
SU lost its two leading scorers from last year, but will return six players who averaged over 10 minutes a game in the 2015-16 campaign. A look at each position group for Seattle U this season:
WINGS
There are six seniors on this year’s roster, led by Kaylee Best, who was named Coaches’ All-WAC Preseason. The Seattle native led the team in assists (3.7 per game), steals (2.28), and free throw percentage (81.7) last season.
“Kaylee is an incredible athlete and a natural leader,” said Barcomb. “She has a quick first step and we’re working on finishing at the rim. She has the ability to average a double-double this year.”
Alexis Montgomery missed last season due to injury, but was a key contributor in 2014-15, averaging 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 15 outings as a point guard. This year, Montgomery will play a new position for the Redhawks.
“She is playing the stretch ‘4’ for us,” said Barcomb. “She has embraced this new role and she’s working hard on all aspects of her game.”
Ashlyn Lewey, a junior, put up 7.4 points and 4.7 boards a game last year. She appeared in 29 contests, making 17 starts. Lewey will miss the start of the season due to injury.
“Ashlyn is fundamentally sound and does all the little things,” said Barcomb. “She has a great team attitude.”
FORWARDS
Jacinta Beckley, a junior, played in 27 games last year. She averaged over 12 minutes per game and shot 80.8 percent from the free throw line.
“Jacinta can play the ‘4’ and the ‘5’ for us,” said Barcomb. “She can shoot the trail three on our fast break.”
Delaney McCann will redshirt this season after transferring from Humboldt State.
POSTS
Senior Wilma Afunugo leads the Redhawks in the paint. Last season, she appeared in 29 contests, scoring in double figures four times.
“Wilma is a great leader and a great teammate,” said Barcomb. “Her efforts to improve and compete are a great example for others to follow.”
Kaylee Biddell, another senior, will provide size for SU.
“She is a finesse ‘4’ or ‘5’,” said Barcomb. “We’re teaching her to play through contact.”
Freshman Joanna Alves will also see time inside this season. The 6-3 rookie from Lisbon, Portugal, has shown flashes of her talent in the preseason.
“She has a good, solid IQ and great size,” said Barcomb. “She has made solid improvement to adjusting to the American game.”
GUARDS
Barcomb will have a bevy of options at guard this year, with seven guards on the roster. Senior Shaylin Heredia returns after playing in 28 games last season.
“Shaylin worked really hard this summer on becoming a knockdown shooter and that’s going to be her role for us,” said Barcomb.
Claire Metoyer, another senior, is back with the team in 2016-17 after not playing last season. She made 26 starts as a sophomore in the 2014-15 campaign.
“Claire has worked incredibly hard,” said Barcomb. “She has a great basketball IQ and really good vocal leadership.”
Redshirt junior Delanie Parry made 15 starts last year, playing over 20 minutes per game.
“She’s fundamentally sound,” said Barcomb. “She can knock a shot down.”
Barcomb has also brought in four other freshmen to spark competition in the backcourt.
Kamira Sanders is a freshman from Redding, California. Her speed should make her a factor in the Redhawks’ rotation.
“Kamira is super-athletic and really quick,” said Barcomb. “She has great upside.”
Genessa Bedoya, a freshman, from Santa Clarita, California, will likely see time as SU’s point guard.
“Genessa is a true point guard,” said Barcomb. “She has played with Division I kids in her career (at Bishop Alemany and in AAU), so she knows this level.”
Carla Bieg, out of Barcelona, Spain, is another freshman providing depth.
“Carla is adjusting to college basketball and playing the American game,” said Barcomb. “We’re seeing her get a little bit more comfortable each day.”
Ryshun Sampson, a walk-on from Seattle, rounds out the rookie class for the Redhawks.
“Ryshun shows up everyday,” said Barcomb. “She has a willingness to learn and try to expand her game.”
SCHEDULE
The Redhawks will face a challenging schedule, with a four-game home stand being followed by a daunting six-game road trip before WAC play opens. SU will see five teams that qualified for the 2016 NCAA Tournament. It opens the regular season with six home dates among their first eight games. Seattle U welcomes defending Big Sky champion Idaho (Nov. 11) for the season-opener before heading to reigning West Coast Conference champion San Francisco the following week.
Seattle U hosts UC Santa Barbara (Nov. 18) and then travels to Boise State (Nov. 20). Barcomb’s squad follows with a four-game home stand, featuring Portland State (Nov. 23), Washington (Nov. 26), Loyola Marymount (Nov. 29), and Montana (Dec. 2). UW won 26 games last season.
SU embarks on a six-game road trip leading up to the holiday break. It plays at Montana State (Dec. 4), UC Riverside (Dec. 10), San Diego (Dec. 12), Denver (Dec. 16), Colorado State (Dec. 18), and Southern Methodist (Dec. 21). CSU went 31-2 in the 2015-16 campaign.
The Redhawks conclude non-conference action with a home contest against CSUN on Dec. 29.
In the new year, Seattle U hosts CSU Bakersfield to begin WAC play on Jan. 7. After a trip east to face UMKC (Jan. 12) and Chicago State (Jan. 14), Grand Canyon visits the Connolly Complex on Jan. 21. SU hits the road for its next three games, playing at New Mexico State (Jan. 26), UTRGV (Jan. 28), and Utah Valley (Feb. 4). NMSU is the defending WAC champion.
On Feb. 9, Chicago State comes to the Connolly Complex, with UMKC slated to visit two days later. The final trip of the regular season sees Seattle U go to Grand Canyon (Feb. 16) and then CSU Bakersfield (Feb. 18). The Redhawks close out the regular season with three home contests, welcoming UTRGV (Feb. 23), New Mexico State (Feb. 25), and finally Utah Valley (March 4). The WAC Championship will be hosted in Las Vegas from March 8-11.