2009-10 Preview

Mount Ida College second year head coach Jack Casey will look to build on his first ever recruiting class along with three seniors for added veteran leadership to reach their first ever post season berth into the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament.  The Mustangs will look to showcase their backcourt speed, athleticism, and height underneath the basket to be competitive in a very difficult conference. 

"We'll look for our returning players to continue their hard work and great commitment to our team goals from last season", said an enthusiastic Coach Casey.  "With the addition of a great group of newcomers, we are looking forward to building a successful and rewarding season and competing for the championship of our challenging conference." 

One of the biggest additions to the Mount Ida College women's basketball team this season is Assistant Coach Leah Lipschitz.

"We are very excited and fortunate to have added Coach Lipschitz, whose playing experience, knowledge, and passion for the game have already had a tremendous impact on our players and our program", said Coach Casey. 

As a collegiate student-athlete, Lipschitz spent her first two years as a scholarship player for the Boston University Terriers from 2004-2006.  She eventually transferred to Emmanuel and finished her college career with the Saints in the spring of 2008.   

This will be Lipschitz's first coaching experience at the collegiate level after a very successful playing career between BU and Emmanuel.  She started her coaching career at Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, New York where she served as the Assistant junior varsity coach and as a Volunteer Assistant for the varsity squad in 2008.  Lipschitz developed and arranged competition schedules, programs, and game strategies.  She also worked closely to evaluate athletes' skills and performance to determine fitness levels and potential as future players. 

The Mustangs return seven players, including three seniors, and leading scorer and rebounder senior Cherie Parisi (South Attleboro, MA/Attleboro).  Parisi, who cracked the 1,000 point threshold in the final game last season, will be called upon to continue her contributions in every aspect of the game.  She ranked seventh in the GNAC in scoring (15.8) and sixth in rebounding (9.5) for another stellar season as a Mustang.  Parisi is a strong inside offensive player as well as one of the leading outside shooters.  She will be a key element to the program's success throughout the year. 

Senior Nicole Casimiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River) will be another asset to the Mount Ida women's basketball team this season as a major contributor offensively as one of the team's top three point shooting threats.  Coach Casey will use her experience and versatility at both the guard and forward position to help create more offensive opportunities.  Senior Ashley Boyd (Hanson, MA/Hanson-Whitman) is the final piece to the senior puzzle in 2009 bringing experience along with an excellent knowledge of the game of basketball.   Her awareness on the court and basketball sense will enable her to be a key element to the team's man-to-man defensive focus throughout the year. 

Junior guard Becky Tisbert (Cambridge, VT/Lamoille Union) will also be an integral part to the Mustangs success this season.  She is a tremendous competitor with great speed and quickness.  She will be an essential part offensively as the Mustangs will look for contributions from numerous young players in the backcourt rotation.  Junior Jenny Davis (Bristol, England/Filton College) comes into her second season of college basketball coming from overseas.  Her toughness, work ethic, and increased speed will enable her to make some major contributions on the court this season. 

Sophomore Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) is a fierce and ferocious competitor with excellent quickness along with a never quit attitude.  Rivera will be a crucial part of the Mustangs ability to pressure the ball on defense.  Rivera will also look to run the court on offense for the second year in a row.  Sophomore Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) has been one of the hardest working players so far this season with a willingness and drive to become a major threat for the Mustangs in 2009-2010.  Morvan's growth from last season has been significant and should become one of the most important elements to the success of the team.  She will be a major factor for the Mustangs in every aspect and has shown a greatly improved mid-range shooting touch. 

Head coach Casey has brought in some outstanding fresh talent this season starting with freshman Missy Collins (East Hartford, CT/East Hartford).  Collins is a very strong offensive perimeter player with a great feel for the game with unreal range and an ability to attack the basket.  She will be a vital part to the Mustangs throughout the season with amazing talent.   Freshman Ashley White (Salem, MA/Salem) will bring excellent ball handling skills, court vision, composure, and passing ability.  She has also shown good range and her speed and work ethic help her defensively, as well.  Freshman Erica Mendez (Salem, MA/Salem) is a smooth ball handler who sees the court well and looks to drive the basket.  She displays great quickness and effort making her an excellent ball defender. 

Freshman Alexandria Milot (Tiverton, RI/Tiverton) is another newcomer with excellent speed and tremendous work ethic.  Her initial impact will be defensively, and will continue to improve offensively as the season progresses.  Freshman Julie Smith (West Kingston, RI/Chariho) is another first year player with excellent range and accuracy as a shooter.  Her role will increase and continue to grow as the season progresses, having missed most of pre-season due to volleyball.  Freshman Charlotte Clauson (Chelmsford, MA/Chelmsford) is a hard working newcomer with great speed.  She will continue to develop as the season progresses. 

The Mount Ida women's basketball is excited for another great season of Mustang basketball.