Mount Strength & Conditioning

The strength and conditioning program at Mount Saint Mary’s University focuses on three principles:

1.      Reduce the risk of injury

2.      Maximize athletic performance

3.      Educate the student-athlete

A major renovation of our Varsity Weight Room was just completed after a very generous gift
from local supporter Tom Wilhide.

The women’s basketball team will train year-round to continuously develop strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility and sport conditioning to maximize on-court performance and keep the women healthy. Our program believes that education is key in the development of student-athletes. Our athletes are encouraged to ask questions and learn. I want our athletes to know what we are doing and why we are doing it. At this particular time, the women’s basketball team is competing in the regular season. The team will continue to train hard about two times per week, schedule permitting, as the focus turns to the court. I’m excited for the ladies to continue regular season play and to see their off-season efforts in action.

The floor was completely re-done, while new graphics were added to the walls. Flat-screen TV's were added to aid in educating our student-athletes throughout their various workouts.

Within the past few weeks, the strength and conditioning program at the Mount has made great improvements to its facilities. The addition of new equipment allows our student-athletes to train using a large variety of training modalities and has the student-athletes more excited than ever to enter the facility. With the end of the semester quickly approaching our off-season teams will begin preparations to performance test shortly after Thanksgiving break and we’ll distribute winter break lifting and conditioning packets to the athletes as they return home to continue to prepare for their spring seasons.

The renovations also include complete power racks and platforms, free weights equipment and a sound system.

For current high school junior and senior athletes striving to compete at the collegiate level, I recommend finding a quality sports performance training facility with certified strength and conditioning coaches in your local area. Having the motivation to learn, train hard, and make yourself better will put you ahead of the rest entering the collegiate scene.

 

 

  Stephen Notebaert was hired as the Mount St. Mary's Strength and Conditioning Coach prior to the 2014-15 academic year. His certifications include Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) and USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach (USAW).

Athletic Nutrition

Athletic Nutrition

by Allison Bologna

Nutrition can have a large impact on athletic performance, and it is extremely important for athletes to eat well in order to perform better and boost recovery. A healthy, balanced diet should consist of lean meats and proteins, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and quality carbs. Athletes should drink lots of water. Our muscles are primarily made of water and protein, and our bodies strive for water to recover and replenish its used resources. Sports drinks should be kept to a minimum because of the amount of sugar that they contain. They also contain empty calories and can be damaging to your teeth.

Carbohydrates are important, but choosing the correct source is the key. Carbohydrates should come from whole grains, beans, or even sweet potatoes and bananas. Avoid eating excessive amounts of wheat products like bagels, buns, rolls, or starchy vegetables like white potatoes and corn. Athletes should also be consuming proteins on a daily basis, especially after training. Quality proteins consist of lean meats like chicken, pork and fish as well as eggs, nuts and Greek yogurt. Proteins are important to repair body tissues, and they are a good source of energy. The sugar in proteins lasts longer and is not used by the body as quickly as the sugars in carbohydrates. Dark leafy greens are important and packed with nutrients like iron and magnesium. Some examples of healthy fats include olive oil, coconut oil, and avocados.

It’s important for athletes to EAT! Not consuming enough calories or consuming processed, fatty foods can have a negative effect on your performance and can break down muscle. Eating three or four healthy balanced meals a day will keep your body going and help with muscle rebuilding as well as burning unwanted fat. Keep away from processed food, fast food, sodas, alcohol, sugary drinks and low-quality carbs. Following these few nutritional recommendations in conjunction with getting enough sleep, will improve your ability to perform at a high level.



Allison Bologna is in her third year at The Mount as the Assistant Athletic Trainer. She is a licensed and certified athletic trainer, and she has her Master's Degree in Health Administration. Bologna has worked two seasons with women's basketball, and she also works with the softball team.

Halloween Practice

The final practice before Halloween saw the coaching staff surprise the players by showing up in costumes...

Coach Whit was Fred Flinstone!

The assistant coaches wore throwback jerseys from many years ago.

Newcomers, Part V: Melissa & Adam

This is the fifth and final installment of our series which introduces the newest faces of The Mount's women's basketball program. We have two new members of the coaching staff this season: Assistant Coach Melissa Kolbe and Director of Operations Adam Surguine.

Melissa Kolbe
I began my journey at The Mount in June.  It has been a whirlwind with recruiting, practice and getting acclimated to the Mount St. Mary’s community, but I have loved every minute of it.

The Mount is the fourth Division I university I have coached at and I am entering my 14th year of coaching at this level.  I came to The Mount from Eastern Kentucky University where I was the recruiting coordinator and most recently worked with the post players.  I was fortunate enough to coach the 4th leading scorer, the leading rebounder & all-time double-doubles leader in program history during my years at EKU.  Prior to EKU, I coached at East Carolina University and was a part of the program’s 2nd ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.  We finished the 2007 season as C-USA Tournament Champions and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where we played National Runner-up Rutgers.  I had a variety of responsibilities while at ECU and worked specifically with the guards.

My Division I experience began at Mercer University and before that my coaching career began while I was a graduate assistant coach at Valdosta State University.  I have worked at a variety of institutions and am looking forward to helping the Mount women’s basketball program continue to grow and become a force not only within the NEC but also regionally.

Adam Surguine
I am beginning my first year at the Mount as Director of Operations.  Originally from Laurel, MD, I have spent the last 8 years in Lancaster, PA, both as a student and as an Assistant Coach at Lancaster Bible College.  My wife Amanda and I have been married since March 2011. She is a physical therapy assistant JVS Rehab in Columbia, and we have a dog named Diesel who always keeps us entertained.  

Cutting down the nets after LBC's NEAC championship.

In my role, I handle administrative work on the team, such as, film exchange, travel, community service and male practice players among many other things.  My job is to help this team run more effectively and more efficiently.  

Me with my wife Amanda, who played basketball at Howard Community College

I am loving my time at the Mount so far.  It is a great university with great people.  This team is tremendous, their work ethic is excellent.  It is truly a family.

Newcomers, Part IV: Jessica, Kathryn and Alexis

This is the fourth installment of our series which introduces the newest faces of The Mount's women's basketball program. Next week, we will be sending the fifth and final part. For now, let's meet Jess, Kat and Lex!

Jessica Harris
     The Mount was the last school that contacted me and soon became the first on my list. I played in a Boo Williams senior showcase hoping to pick up more offers. Within the next week I was on campus. I played a couple games of pick up and took a tour of campus.

     Although I did not have an overnight visit to The Mount, a day visit was enough for me to realize that it was a perfect fit. In my recruiting process, I was looking for a school that not only was close to home but felt like home. The comforting vibe I received from the coaches and players was a major influence. In addition, the campus is beautiful!

Kathryn Thompson
     I come from Winter Park, FL about 900 miles from the Mount. I visited the school during spring break of both my junior and senior years of high school and fell in love with it. The first time I came here there was 8 inches of snow on the ground, so a lot of people question why I left Florida for this. But I love it here! I get the chance to be in a Catholic community, receive a great education, and play basketball. There's not much more I could want.

     I'm extremely grateful for all the love and support of my family to send me here and the opportunity the coaches have given me to play. The constant communication I had with Coach Keys prior to coming to the Mount really helped make me feel comfortable as well. ​

Alexis Carter
            I recently came to the Mount as a transfer from Hofstra University in New York. The schools are different in so many ways, and I can honestly say the Mount was a better fit for me.  I really love the campus and the size of it along with the people. Also, a major difference that benefited me most was the distance between my family and I.

            I am currently a junior majoring in Criminal Justice from Woodbridge, Virginia. I come from a big, loving, and very supportive family. I live with my mother and two younger siblings.  My family has been the biggest influence when it comes to basketball simply because its something that’s been relevant throughout my entire life. So far my experience here at the Mount has been nothing less than great, and I have no doubt that my love for this place will not diminish.

Newcomers, Part III: Kalifa Ducker & Stacey Koutris

We continue with the third part in our "Newcomers" series, introducing the new faces of The Mount women's basketball program. Today, we meet freshmen Kalifa Ducker and Stacey Koutris.

#34 - Kalifa Ducker, Westbury, N.Y.

          I started playing basketball when I was in the second grade. Little did I know what a big impact the game would have on me. When I started playing, I was so bad at ball that nobody passed to me. I was this awkward, lanky, tall girl who never played a sport before in her life. I showed up at my first practice in jeans because neither my mom nor I knew anything about basketball. I wanted to quit, but my mom wouldn’t let me. It’s a good thing she didn’t because I am who I am today because of the game.

          Before my last season of AAU basketball, everybody said I couldn’t go D1. “Your skill set isn’t high enough.” I heard that every day as I trained to take what nobody wanted to give to me. I practiced an hour a day, every day. I went to workouts and put up shots by myself. I learned in those weeks that you can love the game, but it won’t always love you back. I traveled with AAU, and I went to showcases by myself. I wanted a scholarship so bad. All I wanted to do was make sure my mom didn’t need to worry about my college tuition. When The Mount offered me, I had a good feeling that this was my school.

            When I visited The Mount I fell in love with it at first sight. The campus was beautiful, and the coaches were nice. I also really liked my future teammates and the environment I’d eventually become an adult in. The real world can be scary, and I felt like The Mount would eventually help me in becoming the young lady I want myself to be. I also loved the liberal arts portion of The Mount’s curriculum. I aspire to be a doctor one day and I know that The Mount can only put my closer to my dreams.

#13 - Stacey Koutris, Sandy Spring, Md.
          On my recruiting visit at The Mount, I felt very at home. On most recruiting visits the coaches bring you into a small office to talk to you, but at the Mount they brought me to an open, comfortable, lounge area. I felt very at home and contented. All my coaches are amazing and kept in contact with me throughout the whole recruiting process. Being comfortable to talk to a coach about anything is really important to me, so that is definitely a main reason why I chose the Mount. What I liked most on my recruiting visit is how open and honest everyone was about everything.

          I grew up playing basketball my whole life. My brother is two years older than me and I grew up watching him play. He was a big influence in my basketball career because I would look up to him and want to be just like him on the basketball court. My parents also influenced me because they would be there when I needed them to, to either support me off the court and someone to push me when I was on the court, other than my coaches. Being able to have a parent or family member at every one of my games was important to me and they made that happen. Being in college is obviously going to change that, but I know that they will be there when they can.

Newcomers, Part II: Jackie Buzaid

Today, take a few moments to read the background of another freshman, Jackie Buzaid, a walk-on from Lake Grove, N.Y., who earned her place on our team this offseason with a great work ethic and spirit.

My name is Jackie Buzaid.  I am a so excited to be a freshman at the Mount.  I looked at many schools but decided that the Mount was the place for me when I came here in February to compete for a full tuition academic scholarship.  It was on that trip that I fell in love with the school.  I felt at home, everyone was so nice, the campus so beautiful.

I was always interested in sports as a child and played many, but when I was in middle school I narrowed it down to tennis, basketball and track.  In high school, I played and was a captain of my tennis, basketball and track teams. But my true passion was always basketball.

During my 7^th grade middle school basketball season, my ability as a basketball player was beginning to get recognized and my parents were told numerous times that I should join an AAU team and train; they started looking into it when tragedy struck my family.  My dad, a Mount Alum, had an MRI during my last game for my 7^th grade middle school team – he thought he tore his rotator cuff, the results showed a massive cancerous tumor.  After a few weeks and many tests we discovered that he had Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  My families’ focus for the next three years was to get my dad healthy again.  There was no time or energy for AAU Basketball but I was able to train at a local church. That training became my outlet.  In April of 10^th grade I was finally able to join an AAU team.  I tried out for a few and decided that I really wanted to play for Coach Leon Martin.  Thankfully, he took me on his team.  I played one year for him with the Silver Bullets and one year for him with the Long Island Lightning.  During my high school basketball career, I played for Centereach High School.  

When I visited in February I went up to the grotto to say a prayer for my dad and my cousin Nick, also a Mount alum who lost his battle with Leukemia in 2010. I knew that the Mount was the place for me. I am so excited and thankful for the opportunity to play for the Mount.

Newcomers: Katrice Dickson and Caroline Hummell

meet two of our freshmen, Caroline Hummell and Katrice Dickson....

Katrice from Hagerstown, Md.
My name is Katrice Dickson and I am a freshman at Mount St. Mary’s University. Coach Whit and the rest of the staff recruited me for the women’s basketball team around my junior year in high school. The recruiting process was somewhat stressful, but after visiting the Mount and experiencing the atmosphere here, it made my decision easy. I am from Hagerstown, Maryland, which is only 45 minutes from campus. Being within about 5 hours of home was one of the attributes I was seeking in a college so that I could have my family and friends support me every now and again. Being so close to home was only one of the many things I loved here! Everyone is extremely nice! From my teammates to other students to the professors, you’ll never go a day without being smiled at 10 times at least. When I came on my official visit, I could feel the positive energy.

I’ve been playing basketball since I was around 7 years old. I started playing at the YMCA. I was involved in summer leagues, played in middle school, participated in AAU and played in high school. Basketball has pretty much been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I also have played soccer since I was 4 years old, but basketball has just always been my passion. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead of me on this new journey at Mount St. Mary’s :)

Caroline from Brights Grove, Ontario
     Eh! Hello there! My name is Caroline Hummell, and I am a freshman here at Mount St. Mary’s. I am a forward/center and I am number 32. I’m originally from Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA, and I’m a proud canuck. Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamt of playing basketball in America at the division 1 level. Throughout the recruiting process, The Mount remained at the top of my list. When I was on my official, I fell in love with the school almost instantaneously. The campus is so beautiful and I feel very safe on it. In regards to basketball, I love the way the team plays and the team truly makes me feel like I’m part of a family. That was extremely important to me since I was planning on going far away from home. Being a serious student, I also wanted to go to a school that was well known for their academics. The Mount has a wonderful biopsychology program that caught my eye right away, and their connections with big medical schools (like John Hopkins) is another bonus.

     I’m forever thankful to have been blessed with the amazing opportunity to represent this fantastic school and I can’t wait for big things to come!

Mount Happenings: Opening Mass & Convocation

On Monday, the 2014-15 academic year officially kicked-off at The Mount with our annual Opening Mass & Convocation. The gathering served as a chance for faculty and staff on campus to show support for the students, as they embark upon a new year of challenges and learning.

The day begins as faculty and seniors stroll across campus, entering the Knott Area together.

The ceremony began with a full Mass, during which university chaplain the Rev. Brian P. Nolan encouraged students to represent the university with virtues of faith, hope and love. At Mount St. Mary's, a Catholic university, students of all faiths are welcome, but more than three-fourths of this year's freshmen are Catholic.

TOO CUTE! Teammates (L to R) Stacey, Caroline, Katrice, Kalifa, Jody, Kaitlyn, Kayla, Alexis, Sarafina and Jayla sit together.

 

Following the Mass, university president Thomas Powell led a convocation, welcoming the students to a new academic year and honoring several seniors and juniors who "serve as an example to all of us of the good work our students do."

Our president Dr. Thomas Powell leads the Convocation.

The university then inducted the new student government association, the new seminary students and freshmen. This year's freshman class is the second-largest in school history. The senior class was honored as well, and each student received a senior pin.

The faculty process into the arena.

Mount Move-in Day

More than 500 Mount St. Mary's freshmen converged on the campus last week and unloaded their belongings Friday to begin their first semester as college residents.

Freshmen roommates Katrice (left) and Jess.

The class is the second-largest in the history of the university. This class also sets two Mount admissions records with the largest number of applications (6,200) and highest share of domestic minority students (33 percent) in university history.

Seniors Jackie and Jenn moving-in to their dorm room for the last time!

The freshmen come from 308 high schools and represent 26 states (53 percent from Maryland), plus the District of Columbia. The most popular intended majors are business, biology and education.

ROOMIES! (L to R) Stacey, Caroline and Kalifa pose in their news digs.

On move-in day, students, parents and grandparents were greeted with big smiles by several faculty and rugby team members and Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets who helped carry the students' personal property into their rooms.

Alumna Reflection: Tara Lonergan

Tara Longergan graduated from the Mount in May 2013 with a degree in History as a four-year letterwinner in women's basketball. Behind the ARCC recently caught up with the former forward to see what she has been up to since graduation.

            Since graduating from The Mount last year, I have become a full-time nanny for a two- and four-year-old who live in the same town as me. It’s tiring and stressful at times, but mostly it is a blast to get to hang out with two kids all day that love to laugh and play. I also work once a week at ValeU Group, which is an unclaimed property and asset recovery agency, as an asset investigator. Here, we find people's and company’s lost money that was recovered and never claimed by the individual. My boss is extremely laid back, and I’m just learning the in's and out's of the business for now.
 
          After playing basketball for four years away at school, I missed out on a lot of my other siblings’ sporting events. It was awesome getting to watch my sister play college basketball at Molloy for the first time (She’s a junior.) and along with a former teammate of mine. I was also able to watch my younger brother play on the JV basketball team for his high school and be the first team to go undefeated. I also tried out coaching for the first time and coached my sister’s 8^th grade town team, which was definitely an experience in itself.



Tara with two of her siblings, Paul and Paige.

            Looking back at my time at The Mount I would have to say I miss my teammates the most. I am still very close to many of my former teammates, but its different when you don’t get to see and play with them everyday. Living in New York, I was able to attend some of the games up here this past season, and I missed the team atmosphere that took place during the game. My favorite memory would have to be beating Seton Hall, which was the first time The Mount ever beat a BCS school, and beat Monmouth in the first round of playoffs during my senior year. I had my up's and down's while being at The Mount and after looking back at it this past year, I would definitely do it all over again.


Tara with (L to R) fellow 2013 alumna Selina Mann, 2014 grad Jessie Kaufman and current junior Jody Chickey.

Senior Reflections: Jessica Kaufman

You know how everyone tells you that college will be the fastest four years of your life??? Well they’re not lying! Recently, I strutted across the graduation stage, snapped a selfie, accepted my diploma, and here I am: Jessie Kaufman – Mount Alum.

 

The Mount was great to me all four years.  From coaches, teammates, classmates, roommates, staff, teachers and friends, everyone welcomed me with open arms.  The community here at the Mount is one unlike any other.  It is unique, and it is something that I will truly always appreciate. This community makes this mountain a home to all that come to visit, and the lucky ones who decide to stay.

 

For as long as I can remember, my life has revolved around sports.  Playing basketball at the Mount has been a long, but extremely rewarding journey.  The memories I’ve made, relationships I’ve built, and goals I have accomplished are ones that will never be forgotten.  I am thankful to Coach Whit for giving me the opportunity to be a part of his program.  I thank all the coaches who I was able to play for here at the Mount, for all their guidance throughout my career. I am forever indebted to my teammates who became lifelong friends, and my family for their endless amount of love, support, dedication and confidence that they supplied me with throughout my entire career.  The Mount will forever be my home, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Senior Reflections: Rachel Mathews

My experience at The Mount and on the women's basketball team there is one that I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life. As most high school student-athletes, I had my hopes set on playing at the big Division I schools. To be honest, my dream school was UNC. It didn't take long for reality to set in though, and I realized that that was not exactly possible for me. I was lucky enough for The Mount to find me. Little did I know, I was about to embark upon a journey that would leave me with a second family, a new appreciation on life, and another place to call home.

 

I was only 3 and a half hours from my family, but since I always had to be at school due to basketball, it sometimes felt as if I was so much further away. That never fazed me though. My teammates (my sisters) have been one of the best support systems out there. Most people don't understand the bond that is created among a college team after having spent so much time together with workouts, traveling, and summer school. I guess the best way to describe it is like a sorority of athletes. I could go on and on and tell certain stories that I'm sure will embarrass some of my teammates, but I think that I should probably just end by saying that it is crazy how someone can bring in strangers from all over the world, and then we became teammates, then friends, and now we're a family. Go Mount!

Senior Reflections: Ashley Christie

My college experience at the Mount was so exciting!! Over the past four years I spent the majority of my time running (many times literally) from class to basketball, basketball to the library, library to the cafeteria, and then to my bed. However, those memories are mostly blurred images now, and the memories that are most vivid are those I spent with my friends. In order to give you an insight into my college experience, I’ll give you one of my top memorable and appropriate, memories of me and my friends

 

Jessie, me, Syd and Jody at this year's Team Banquet.

 It was a beautiful cloudy and muggy thirsty Thursday at a Hagerstown Suns game.  My friends and teammates, Jessie, Jody, and I had really splurged and bought the $12 VIP seats, which placed us on the front row of the third baseline.  We were enjoying heckling the other team’s third basemen and making friends with the loyal sun’s fans.   All was going smoothly until the 6^th inning, when we became the envy of the surrounding crowd by obtaining two foul balls. Jessie received the second of these foul balls and within minutes of receiving it had popcorn thrown at the back of her head.  The fighting instinct in her kicked in and she immediately started making a minor scene.  She wanted to know who threw the popcorn and why Jody and I weren’t trying to fight them for her.  Jody and I looked at her blankly and then continued to watch the game.   Jessie wasn’t giving up though, after another 5 minutes of complaining about the popcorn hitting her head so forcefully, a young lady comes and taps her on the shoulder.  As Jessie turned around the woman started apologizing immediately, saying that her 4 year old daughter had thrown the popcorn because she wanted the foul ball.  At this point Jody and I turned around and saw a small girl crying in the stands.  After the woman had left, Jody and I turned to Jessie and asked her if she wanted to beat up the little girl now or later for her.  Needless to say, Jessie said there was no need for Jody and I to beat anyone up for her now. 

This is just one of the many memories that I cherish from my college experience at the Mount. 

Senior Reflection: Sydney Henderson

My experience at The Mount has been a great five years. Long ago before I knew about this school, my mother used to tell me that I would end up at this school. I would constantly tell her, “No I'm not; I don't even know what school that is.” What do you know? I ended up here for a wonderful college career.

Me (top) with friends and teammates Jody and Jessie.

 

    Being given the opportunity to play college basketball and to be so healthy after an ACL surgery is truly a blessing. I have met many people and have made life-long friends. Everyone that has walked into my life has made an impact in some way that has helped me grow as a person. My injury has also helped me grow as a person. Seeing things, not only on the basketball court, but off the court in a different perspective has molded me into the woman I'm becoming today. Having the ability to complete two degrees (Bachelor’s Degree in  Sports Management and Master’s of Business Administration) is something that I will be forever grateful for. I want to thank Coach Whitt for giving me the opportunity to play for him and develop into the player and person I am today.

    It has begun to hit me that I'm really graduating and leaving behind a place that I called home for five years. I can say that if I had the chance to do it all over again, I would choose The Mount.

Thank you God, family, coaches and teammates for supporting me through it all.

BLOB, Box Set

Here is a baseline out-of-bounds play we use to get a shot for a guard:

 

The Northeast Conference

Currently, Mount St. Mary's is 5-3 in Northeast Conference play, with a homecoming match-up on Saturday against league-leading Robert Morris. Continue reading for a perspective on conference play from seniors Kayla Grossett and Jessie Kaufman.

     Conference play is like going into battle. Conference play requires preparation, focus and an attention to detail. From game to game, the things that are required of you change; however, the one thing that remains constant is effort and a tenacious mindset. Playing in the NEC now is like a fight against yourself. In the 2013-2014 season, players and teams are so closely matched for skills and talent; it all comes down to who wants it more in the end. Games are always close, it's always a fight. Conference play is being part of that 5 that your coach calls on in the last seconds of the game to bring a W back to the Mount. Blood, sweat and tears isn't just a saying - it's reality.

     For me conference play requires a lot of mental strength when your body wants to do differently. Conference play requires extra hours in the gym, alone. Doing whatever it takes to ensure that you have the upper hand on your opponent. Conference play is the bittersweet moment of my life right now. Super sad that it is coming to an end, but so happy and proud that I could be part of such a fun and enjoyable program. Lastly, NEC play is rewarding, exhilarating and worth the long bus rides, as well as shared loving and fun experiences with teammates and coaches. It's worth that gut-wrenching feeling you get before games because of the anxiety that overcomes my body. NEC is home, it's what I know!   -#20 Kayla Grossett

Kayla scored 20 points agaist conference foe Wagner on January 18.

     Playing in the NEC for the past 4 years has been extremely fun. Since the beginning, the teams I have been a part of here at the Mount have always shown to be great competitors in this conference.  We have continued to make a name for ourselves in this conference by showing that we are here to win. Since my freshman year, we have always battled with Bryant.  I can’t remember if there was a game that we played against them, that wasn’t a dogfight.  Since we do not have a rival in the conference based on territory, we pretty much make everyone our rivals!  Quinnipiac (who recently left to join the MAAC) was always a great game as well.  Last year’s game was especially a competitive, and high-energy game.  We faced the undefeated team in the semi-finals, losing by just 6 points.  I think the best thing about this conference, is that anyone can win on any given day. The NEC Championship is anyone’s to take this season, and this is one of the main reasons I love playing in the NEC.  This team, this year, has put in so much hard work, effort and passion, I know that we can and will be winning the Conference Championship.    -#32 Jessie Kaufman

 

Jessie scored 19 points against St. Francis Brooklyn on January 13.