By Collin Jones ’23, staff writer
The LVC Women’s basketball team is coming off an 11-15 season last year, and have high expectations for the upcoming season.
The flying dutchies are returning seven players from the previous season, and are bringing in six new players, with only one being a transfer. The upcoming season will be coach Diane Decker’s second season with the team, with her previous coaching job being at East Stroudsburg University, a D2 PSAC school.
Samya Santiague, a returning junior on the team thinks they have a good chance at fighting for a playoff spot in this upcoming season.
“After playing in our scrimmages against Lock Haven and Marywood, I think we have good players on our team that can help us on defense and offense,” Santiague said. “With bringing in freshmen, playing together well will take a little bit of time but that comes with it. I feel like we can contend for a playoff spot and play well this season.”
Kate Fitzpatrick, a returning junior as LVC’s leading scorer with 13.7 points a game, and being named to the CoBL All-Area All-Rookie team, Rookie of the Year, and on the Mac Commonwealth Second Team, is a key player for this season.
“All players are important on a team, but having Kate return this season gives us a good chance to win any game we play this season,” Santiague said. “She is always working hard during practice and wants the best out of everyone on the team, and having players like that on a team is something that is hard to come by.”
The team is determined to have a winning record for the first time since the ‘18 season.
They open their season up with an away game against Misericordia University and look to start their season 1-0. You can watch the game online on LVC.tv.