Under the direction of third-year head coach Darcie Vincent (44-16), the Lady Vulcans rolled to a school-best, 25-6 overall record in 2001-2002. Cal U also win its first-ever PSAC-West and PSAC championships as well as reaching the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAA II national tournament.
Cal U returns all of its starters from last year's record-setting team, including sophomore Sara McKinney from Duquesne High School. Last season, McKinney became the first freshman in PSAC history to win both the league's Rookie and Player of the Year Awards in the same season.
The recruits are: Danielle Dawson, a 5-8 guard from Greensburg Salem High School. Dawson averaged 19.7 points and 6.1 rebounds and scored 2,018 career points. She was an All-County player three times and a Fabulous Five player three times and made the All-State second team the past two years.
"Danielle is a tremendous athlete who has the ability to score and be a playmaker. Her speed, handing and shooting touch will make her a tough defensive assignment for opposing teams," said Vincent.
Lisa Gottuso, is a 5-9 guard from Lincoln High School. She scored 1,395 career points, 877 career assists and averaged 21.8 points per game last season. She was an All-Section selection for four years, participated in the prestigious girl's Roundball Classic and was the leading scorer in Beaver County her senior year.
"Lisa is a very athletic guard who has the ability to take an opponent one-on-one in both a full-court or half-court set," said Vincent. "She will add her outside shooting touch to our repertoire of offensive attacks."
Colleen McGuire is a 5-10 guard from Windham High School in Ohio. She averaged 22 points and 9.5 rebounds a game her senior year and was named the Portage County Player of the Year as well as a First Team All-State Division IV selection.
"Colleen is a pure shooter who can play the one through the three position," Vincent said. "She has good court vision and knows how to distribute the basketball. Her diversity of playing multiple positions in high school have helped her to become a solid all around player."
Megan Storck is a 5-5 point-guard from Emmaus High School and Macungie, Pa. She finished her career with 1,320 points and averaged 5 steals and 4.1 assists her senior season.
According to Vincent, "Megan will provide Cal U with depth at the point-guard position. She comes from a very successful high school program and she knows how to win not only games but also championships."
Overall, Vincent, who previously coached at Slippery Rock where she led the Rockets to the 2000 NCAA East Regional title, was pleased with Cal U's latest recruiting class.
"This is a good recruiting class and we are thrilled to have these quality players join our program," said Vincent, who was a Hall of Fame women's basketball player at Duquesne University. "They will help our team return to post-season play in 2003. The goal of our program is to improve each year and these four young women will help us achieve that goal."
OFFICIALLY SUITED
Cal U women's basketball program uses Russell Athletic shooting shirts.
Russell Athletic, a sports equipment company with headquarters in Alexander City, Ala., and Atlanta, Ga., has renewed its partnership with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association for another three years through 2005.
The pact ensures the Lady Vulcans of California of Pennsylvania will be suited up in official attire when they take to the hardwood this winter.
The firm also will remain the sponsor of the Russell Athletic/WBCA Coach of the Year and Victory Club Awards, as well as an official sponsor of the WBCA National Convention and the WBCA National Convention Registration, all held annually in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship. Additionally, Russell Athletic will become the official apparel of the WBCA staff.
"Our renewed sponsorship with the WBCA demonstrates Russell Athletic's commitment to increasing our share of the women's market," said Rishal Stanciel, director of marketing strategy and women's sports at Russell Athletic. "We are honored to continue our recognition of women's basketball coaches for the critical role they play in the lives of the athletes."
The Russell Athletic/WBCA Coach of the Year Award is presented to one coach in each major collegiate division, including NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, Junior College/Community College, and high school.
The Russell Athletic/WBCA Victory Club Awards recognize coaches that reach career milestones during the basketball season. Among last year's recipients, Wanda Bender received a Victory Club Award for earning her 900th victory at Pearsall High School in Pearsall, Texas, and Sylvia Hatchell was recognized for winning her 600th game at the University of North Carolina.
"Our Russell Athletic partnership will help lead women's basketball, and the coaching profession, to the next level for years to come," said Beth Bass, chief executive officer of the WBCA.
Russell Athletic is the world's largest supplier of team uniforms. A division of Russell Corp., Russell Athletic is the official uniform supplier to 15 Major League Baseball teams, outfits over 100 NCAA Division I college teams, USA Baseball and the United States Professional Volleyball League, and is the official uniform of Little League Baseball. Russell Athletic is an official sponsor of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, the American Baseball Coaches Association and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
COUNT ON SIEMBAK
As if opposing teams will not already have their hands fill this upcoming season with California University of Pennsylvania , the Vulcans will also add a player that has already established herself as one of the PSAC's more effective post-players.
Becky Siembak, who was a redshirt last season on the Cal U bench, is now eligible and will add plenty to a Cal U post-game that features McKinney, Sameera Philyaw and Suzie Gyarfus.
Siembak played under Vincent at Slippery Rock in 1999-2000 and under Laura Heilman in 2000-2001. She was the PSAC-West Rookie of the Year in 2000 and a first-team, all-conference selection 2000-2001.
"Every day in practice last year, Becky just dominated people inside," said Cal U sports information director Dave Smith of Hiller. "She is a big-time player joining a big-time team."
Siembak was ineligible last season because Paul Lueken, Slippery Rock athletic director, would not grant her release. What comes around goes around and Cal U and Siembak will face Slippery Rock twice this winter during the always competitive 12-game PSAC-West season.
