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A New Chapter

by Jordan Wood

Seven: the number of seasons since the Blackburn women’s basketball team had a winning season.

Three: the number of victories in the last two seasons.

1,377: the number of points in which the Beavers have been outscored since the start of the 2015-2016 season.

One: one coach one team, one season: the number it takes to turn it all around.

In their last 48 games, the Blackburn women’s basketball team has found themselves on the wrong end of an often lopsided score 45 times, compiling a 3-45 record throughout the past two seasons. During that period, the Beavers were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 3,679 to 2,302, averaging 47.86 points per game (ppg) compared to 76.65 ppg of their opponents.

As the Beavers enter the 2017-2018 season and the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) released its preseason coaches poll, Blackburn was predicted to finish last out of the field of nine. They will have to do so without a key piece from last season, losing senior Aleisha Stiltner who led the team in both points and minutes per game. Returning players looking to fill Stiltner’s shoes include senior Brooke Meyer, juniors Elisabeth Johnston and Gariel Pierce and sophomores Alexia Duncan and Maria Cline. Sophomore Lauryn Jackson, who redshirted last season, will also be suiting up for her first game in a Blackburn uniform alongside nine newcomers.

The odds are more often than not stacked against the Beavers, leading them to be looked past by many opponents and feeding further into the underdog mentality that follows Blackburn. If the preseason poll says anything, it is that other SLIAC opponents will once again look past the team. What it doesn’t show is a revamped and reenergized Blackburn squad looking to flip the script and write their own chapter.

Olivia Olroyd

The new additions of freshmen—Olivia Olroyd, Brianna Henke, Haley Crider, Kate Smith, Annika Ochs, Jenna Dudra, Kaylee Pedigo and Savannah Kruse and sophomore Makayla Ewing—brings unique skill sets that will provide depth to an already experienced and talented roster. This added depth brings first-year women’s basketball head coach Jim Chandler options that have been the missing puzzle pieces in past seasons.

Senior guard Brooke Meyer is counting down the days to their opening tipoff, excited to show Beaver Nation the new and improved team. “This season is a complete turnaround from last season. This team’s chemistry is so unbelievable on and off the court. We are a family and you will be able to see that as the season progresses. All of the girls are so uplifting and positive in practice, and we are all eager for our games to start. Coach Chandler is fantastic as well. His positive comments really makes the team want to work harder than ever. I’m excited to say that my senior year will be a great one,” Meyer said.

The Beavers tip off at home on Nov. 16 in Dawes Gymnasium at 6 p.m.

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