MONMOUTH WOMEN S BASKETBALL

Transcription

1 MONMOUTH (1-1) vs. (2-1) November 24, 2008 * Boylan Gym West Long Branch, N.J. * 7:00 p.m. THE MONMOUTH LINEUP PROBABLE STARTERS Pos. # Name Ht. Cl. PPG RPG Misc. G 1 Alexis Canady 5-5 Fr Hi t game-tying layup with 4.4 sec. left vs. SPC G 12 Marbely Montas 5-8 Sr pts., 3 rebs. vs. Iona G 44 Alexis Scott 5-9 Fr Played 27 min. vs. Saint Peter s F 55 LaKia Barber 5-11 Sr Career-hi 22 pts. & 12 rebs. vs. IC C 21 Jennifer Bender 6-1 Sr Career-hi 25 pts. vs. SPC TOP RESERVES F 3 Taylor Smith 6-0 Fr Saw fi rst career action vs. SPC F/C 13 Liz Kudirka 6-3 So Saw action in 23 games last yr. G 23 Marisa Jimenez 5-8 Sr Team-hi 3 assts. vs. SPC C 25 Sam Schanuel 6-3 So Saw action in 18 games as a freshman C 30 Laura Forbes 6-0 Sr Played in 11 games last season G 31 Kevaney Martin 6-0 Jr Saw action in 10 contest last yr. G 32 Heather Reynolds 5-7 Fr Redshirting this season The Monmouth University women s basketball team hosts Rider on Monday evening at Boylan Gym. The Hawks fell at home to another Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference team, Iona, last time out this past Wednesday. MU was paced by LaKia Barber s career-high 22 points and 12 rebounds in their loss to the Gaels, while Jennifer Bender added nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Rider is 2-1 on the young season after falling at Seton Hall, in their opener and defeating Fairleigh Dickinson in overtime their last game. The Broncs are led by Tammy Meyers, who is averaging 15.3 points per game, and Amanda Sepulveda, who is averaging 12.3 points per game. This is the Hawks last game before leaving to participate in the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic on November 28 and 29 in Texas. BUCKING WITH THE BRONCS The Hawks own a 17-9 record all-time against Rider, who was a member of the Northeast Conference until The Broncs, who currently compete in the MAAC, won last season s meeting with MU on November 9, Monmouth and Rider have alternated wins and losses in each of their last four meetings in the series with each team holding serve on their home court. The last road win in the series belongs to the Hawks, who defeated Rider in Lawrenceville back on November 25, BARBER-SHOP Senior LaKia Barber enjoyed a career-night in MU s close loss to Iona. Barber fi nished with a career-high 22 points and 12 rebounds in the contest. She scored 20 of Monmouth s 33 second half points in logging her third career double-double. Barber was 8-of-11 from the fl oor after halftime and led the Hawks back from 11 down with two minutes to go before they ultimate fell to the Gaels. The senior from Clinton, Maryland also established new career highs for fi eld goal attempts (17) and fi eld goal makes (nine). GAME QUICKFACTS MU head coach: Stephanie V. Gaitley Gaitley s Career Record: (23rd year) Gaitley s MU Record: 1-1 (fi rst season) Rider s head coach: Lynn Milligan Milligan s school record: (second year) Milligan s career record: (second year) All-time Series: MU leads 17-9 Last meeting: L, (11/09/07) Radio: WMCX, 88.9 FM Internet: MU Sports Information: Eddy Occhipinti offi c e: cell: eocchipi@monmouth.edu Go Hawks.com SCHEDULE/RESULTS DATE OPPONENT TIME 11/15 at Saint Peter s W, (ot) 11/19 IONA L, /24 7:00 PM 11/28 %UTEP TBA 11/29 %vs. Texas State/Utah State TBA 12/03 at St. John s 7:00 PM 12/06 *at Quinnipiac 12:00 PM 12/08 *FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON (MSG) 5:00 PM 12/12 at Princeton 7:00 PM 12/18 at Virginia 7:00 PM 12/29 HOWARD 7:00 PM 12/31 at Villanova 3:00 PM 01/03 *SACRED HEART 3:00 PM 01/07 *CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 12:00 PM 01/12 *at St. Francis (N.Y.) 7:00 PM 01/17 *QUINNIPIAC 3:00 PM 01/19 *at Fairleigh Dickinson 3:00 PM 01/24 *at Mount St. Mary s 3:00 PM 01/26 *LONG ISLAND 7:00 PM 01/31 *at Robert Morris 4:30 PM 02/02 *at Saint Francis (Pa.) 7:00 PM 02/07 *ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) 3:00 PM 02/09 BRYANT 7:00 PM 02/14 *MOUNT ST. MARY S 3:00 PM 02/16 *at Long Island 7:00 PM 02/21 *at Sacred Heart 2:00 PM 02/23 *ROBERT MORRIS 7:00 PM 02/28 *WAGNER 3:30 PM 03/02 *at Central Connecticut State 7:00 PM 03/07 ^NEC TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS TBA 03/08 ^NEC TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS TBA 03/15 $NEC TOURNAMENT FINALS % UTEP Thanksgiving Tournament in El Paso, Texas *Northeast Conference Game ^ at Sacred Heart, Fairfi eld, Conn. $ at high seed

2 NEC STANDINGS NEC Pct. ALL Pct. 1. Quinnipiac Long Island Wagner Monmouth Mount St. Mary s Central Conn. State Fairleigh Dickinson Robert Morris Sacred Heart St. Francis (N.Y.) Saint Francis (Pa.) GAITLEY QUICK FACTS Hometown: Ocean City, N.J. Family: Husband (Frank Gaitley) Sons (Dutch, 21, D.C., 16, Jordan Cooper, 10) EDUCATION High School: Ocean City (N.J.), 1978 College: Villanova, 1982 PLAYING EXPERIENCE Villanova COACHING RECORD Richmond WNIT bid NCAA bid NCAA bid Total: Saint Joseph s NCAA bid NCAA bid NCAA bid WNIT bid NCAA bid NCAA bid Total: Long Island WNIT bid Total: Monmouth Career Total: (23rd season) HAWKS SELECTED FOURTH IN PRESEASON POLL The Monmouth University women s basketball team was selected fourth in the Northeast Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league s head coaches. Senior Jennifer Bender was also named to the All-NEC Preseason Team, joining Quinnipiac s Erin Kerner, Robert Morris s Sade Logan and Sacred Heart s Stephanie Ryan and Kaitlin Sowinski. Aiming for its third consecutive conference championship and fi fth straight 20- win season, Robert Morris is the coaches preseason favorite to capture the 2009 Northeast Conference women s basketball crown. The Colonials edged out defending NEC regular season co-champion Quinnipiac in the annual preseason poll of the leagues head coaches as each program garnered four fi rst-place votes. Sacred Heart, the only program to land two representatives on the preseason all-league team, claimed the remaining three fi rst-place nods to take third in the poll in front of fourth-place Monmouth and Fairleigh Dickinson in fi fth. Coming off back-to-back 20-win campaigns and an appearance in last year s NEC Tournament fi nal, but under the direction of a new coach, Long Island fi nished sixth in the voting followed by Mount St. Mary s and Saint Francis (PA). St. Francis (NY) and Wagner tied for ninth with Central Connecticut State rounding out the preseason selections. The NEC s women s head coaches have not predicted the winner of the league since when Saint Francis (Pa.) won the conference championship. IT FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME Monmouth s overtime win over Saint Peter s in their season opener marked their fi rst win to begin a campaign since they defeated Norfolk State on November 22, It also marked the fi rst time since 1998, when MU defeated Fordham 94-71, that the Hawks won their fi rst road game of the year. BANNER OPENING NIGHT There were many noteworthy accomplishments in MU s overtime win over Saint Peter s on opening night of this year. Senior Jennifer Bender scored a career-high 25 points and recorded her fi rst double-double of the season, adding a game-high 12 rebounds. Senior LaKia Barber scored 12 points, including shooting 10-of-14 from the free throw line, and pulled down seven rebounds in a career-high 37 minutes of action. Freshman point guard Alexis Canady scored seven points, including the game-tying bucket with 4.4 seconds left to force overtime, and added 10 rebounds. Two other freshmen, guard Alexis Scott and forward Taylor Smith, each saw their fi rst game action with Scott scoring her fi rst two collegiate points. DON T BE SO DEFENSIVE, WAIT, MAYBE IT S A GOOD THING Monmouth s defense has been their calling card through the season s fi rst two games as the Hawks lead the Northeast Conference in scoring defense, allowing 50.0 points per game. Monmouth also leads the NEC in limiting the opposition to 32.2% fi eld goal shooting. MU limited Saint Peter s to 26% fi eld goal shooting in the season opener, including holding the Peahens to 1-of-11 shooting in the overtime period. Then in MU s loss to Iona, the Hawks limited the Gaels to 41.7% shooting. LADY IN RED Freshman Heather Reynolds is redshirting this season for Monmouth. The newcomer from Painted Post, N.Y. is a two-guard, who has range on her shot out to three-deep territory. The four-time varsity letterwinner at Corning-Painted Post West High School was named fourth team all-state and The Leader Player of the Year in She holds the school record for the most three pointers in one game (nine) and for scoring (45 points in one game). PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES Senior Jennifer Bender has made an impact on the Monmouth program since leading the team in scoring the fi nal two games as a freshman. In all, the senior from Staten Island has appeared in 73 games, starting 36 contests. She has scored in

3 double-fi gures in 44 career games, which represents 60% of her career games played. She has also logged 16 career double-doubles, which is 22% of her career games. Since becoming a full-time starter at the beginning of last season, she has 11 double-doubles in 33 games, including this year, which marks 33% of her games played. "WE'RE GOING STREAKING." MU s longest win streak in its Division I history is 10 games, which was done twice, once during the season and once again dur ing The Blue and White registered two three-game winning streaks last season, their most since winning fi ve straight games in NO SOUP FOR YOU! Monmouth holds the NEC record for blocks in a single game (15), a record that was set against Fairleigh Dickinson on January 9, Last season, the Hawks ranked seventh in the league in blocked shots per game (2.81). START ME UP The Monmouth University women s basketball team is now 8-19 all-time in season openers after its overtime win over Saint Peter s to begin this year. MU had dropped four straight openers before topping the Peahens, with their last win coming in 2003, when the Hawks defeated Norfolk State From , the Blue and White won four straight openers. Monmouth is now 2-10 all-time in season openers on the road. BENDER NAMED SECOND TEAM ALL-NEC LAST SEASON Monmouth University senior forward/center Jennifer Bender was the lone Hawk to earn postseason accolades last season, being named to the All-Northeast Conference Second Team. Bender is the fi rst Hawk to earn NEC All-Conference accolades since Niamh Dwyer was named to the all-league fi rst team in The honor comes on the heals of a breakout for the junior from Staten Island, as she led the Hawks and ranked ninth in the NEC in scoring at 14.5 points per game and second in the league in rebounding with 8.9 boards per game. She collected 10 double-doubles this season, including eight against NEC competition. Bender also ranked fourth in the league in fi eld goal shooting, connecting on 50.5 % of her shots and ninth in free throw shooting, hitting 74.3 % of her attempts from the charity stripe. She was at her best late in the season, averaging 17.3 points and 10.0 rebounds over the fi nal three games of the year, resulting in all important Monmouth wins. She shot a blistering 69 % (20-29) from the fi eld in those games and was named NEC Player of the Week for the fi nal week of the regular season CONFERENCE CALL The Northeast Conference was one of the most improved conference s in the country last season, ranking 23rd in the RPI. As high as that is for a mid-major conference, it was actually down from its ranking of 21st. Last season Quinnipiac, Robert Morris and Long Island each won at least 20 games each, while a fourth, Sacred Heart, won 19 contests on the year. "MITCH. YOU RE ON THE REBOUND. YOU RE LIKE AN INJURED YOUNG FAWN WHO S BEEN NURSED BACK TO HEALTH AND IS FINALLY GOING TO BE RE- LEASED BACK INTO THE WILDERNESS." Last season, the Hawks ranked fi rst in the NEC in rebounding, pulling down an average of 41.8 boards per game. They also topped the league rankings in rebounding margin as they outrebounded the opposition by an average of +6.5 per game. Jennifer Bender led the team in rebounding, averaging 8.8 caroms per contest, which was good enough for third in the NEC. In all, 10 Hawks averaged at least two rebounds per game, while six Hawks averaged at least six per game. STATS EXTRA MONMOUTH DOUBLE-FIGURE GAMES (this year) POINTS REBOUNDS Jennifer Bender - 1 Jennifer Bender - 2 LaKia Barber - 2 Alexis Canady - 1 Marisa Jimenez - 1 LaKia Barber - 1 DOUBLE-DOUBLES ASSISTS Jennifer Bender - 1 LaKia Barber - 1 TRIPLE-DOUBLES MONMOUTH RECORD... ALL NEC Leading or tied at halftime: Trailing at halftime: Shoot 50 percent or higher: Shoot less than 50 percent: Shoot higher percentage than opp.: Shoot lower percentage than opp.: Opp. shoot less than 50 percent: Opp. shoot 50 percent or higher: Score less than 60 points: Score 60-plus points: Score 70-plus points Score 80-plus points Score 90-plus points Opp. score less than 50 points: Opp. score less than 60 points: Opp. score less than 70 points: Opp. score less than 80 points: Opp. score 80-plus points: Opp. score 90-plus points: Outrebound opponent: Outrebounded by opponent: Commit fewer turnovers than opp.: Commit same turnovers as opp.: Commit more turnovers than opp.: Games decided by 5 or few points: Overtime games: Televised games: Games vs. ranked opponents: Games following a loss: Games following a win: More bench points than opp.: Equal/fewer bench points than opp.: Attempt 15 or more 3-pointers: Attempt 14 or fewer 3 pointers:

4 UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS Location... West Long Branch, N.J. Founded Enrollment... 4,500 President... Vice Admiral Paul Gaffney II Athletics Director...Dr. Marilyn McNeil Conference... Northeast Nickname... Hawks Colors...Midnight Blue and White Arena... Boylan Gymnasium (2,200) Internet Site... Hawks Hotline...(732) 571-HAWK First season of Division I Overall Division I Record First season in NEC Overall NEC Record (1986 -) NEC Championship NCAA Tournament MEDIA SERVICES INTERVIEWS WITH COACH GAITLEY Media wishing to interview Coach Gaitley must notify Ed Occhipinti of the Monmouth Athletics Com mu ni ca tions offi ce. Twenty-four hours of ad vance notice is ap pre ci at ed. Coach Gaitley is available most weekday morn ings for interviews or after practice. PRACTICE COVERAGE Monmouth s practices are open to the media. Shooting of video and still photos is limited to the fi rst 20 min utes of each practice unless other ar range ments are made through the Athletics Communications offi ce. MEDIA CREDENTIALS Arrangements for media cre den tials for Monmouth home basketball games must be made through Ed Occhipinti of the Monmouth Athletics Com mu ni ca tions offi ce. Re quests by ac cred it ed media mem bers should be made in writing and submitted on com pa ny let ter head to Ed Occhipinti. Credentials must be re quest ed at least 48 hours prior to re quest ed game. HOW TO REACH US: ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: ED OCCHIPINTI Phone: Fax: eocchipi@monmouth.edu Cell Phone: TWICE AS NICE The Hawks have pulled off Northeast Conference Tournament Quarterfi nal upsets in each of the last two seasons. Two seasons ago the Hawks, who were seeded fi fth, defeated fourth-seeded Quinnipiac Last year MU, seeded sixth, defeated third-seeded Sacred Heart Monmouth is all-time in the NEC Tournament. NEC MARK Monmouth University won its 200th Northeast Conference game on February 21, 2005, when the Hawks defeated Wagner, MU has won double-digit NEC games nine years in a row, with their most league wins coming in back-to-back unbeaten seasons in league play (16-0) in and under coach Mickey McGlade. I LOVE THE 80 S The Hawks scored at least 80 points in four games last season, going 3-1 in those contests. Monmouth fi rst scored more than 80 points in their win over Princeton (01/02/08), which also marked the fi rst time the Hawks topped the 90-point plateau since the double overtime win over Mount St. Mary s (01/06/07) the season before. The Hawks also topped the 80-point mark in their double overtime win at St. Francis [N.Y.] (01/19/08) and their win at Quinnipiac (02/25/08). The Hawks scored more than 80 but fell to the eventual NEC Tournament Champions when they dropped a decision to Robert Morris (02/04/08). MOVING ON The Hawks graduated fi ve players from last season s team, including three starters. Gone are point guard Brianne Edwards, guard Nyaimah Ware, forward Veronica Randolph and center Lindsey Zegowitz, as well as forward Kim McCloskey. Edwards was an everyday starter, while Ware and Randolph were valuable part-time starters and contributors off the bench. Zegowitz was a starter until her senior season was derailed in MU s second game last season when she tore her ACL at Lafayette (11/12/07). HAWKS RADIO COVERAGE Again this season, Monmouth University women's basketball will be available on WMCX, the school's student-run radio station, which broadcasts at 88.9 FM and also on A staff of student radio personalties, led by Sports Director Sean Layton, will handle the play-by-play and color commentary for each game. GIVE EM THE GATE Stephanie V. Gaitley begins her fi rst season as the head coach of the Monmouth University women s basketball team this year. Gaitley has a in 22 seasons as a collegiate head coach, and has made it to the NCAA Tournament seven times and the WNIT three times as a head coach. She is also no stranger to the NEC, having served as the head coach of Long Island for the past six seasons. FAMILY AFFAIR Monmouth women s head coach Stephanie V. Gaitley already had one fan in place before she ever stepped foot in West Long Branch. Gaitley s oldest son, Dutch, is familiar to Monmouth men s basketball fans as a center on the squad. The younger Gaitley played in 31 games, making nine starts a season ago. LOOK, NEWBIE, THERE S A REASON THAT I CAN T GO THE EXTRA MILE WITH PATIENTS. IT S SOMETHING PERSONAL. I M A GOOD DOCTOR. This season, the Hawks welcome in four freshman to compete for them. This year s newcomers include guards Alexis Canady, Heather Reynolds, Alexis Scott and forward Taylor Smith. Canady is a solid point guard prospect and a very good defender, while Brittany Smith spent last season on the Rutgers women s basketball

5 team s practice squad. Heather Reynolds is a sharpshooter while Alexis Scott is a very athletic swing player who should compete for time right away. Taylor Smith is a very athletic player who was the Florida Class 3A Player of the Year in THE INTERNET IS GOING TO BE HUGE ONE DAY For all the latest information on the Monmouth University women s basketball team, as well as all other MU teams, check out the online home of the Blue and White,. The most up-to-date schedules, statistics and news is there, as well as features such as the Top Dog of the Week and streaming video of home contests. WAIT, WHERE ARE YOU GUYS GOING? US? WE RE SENIORS, WE RE GOING TO THE GAME. The Hawks welcome back fi ve seniors in , led by Jennifer Bender, an All-NEC Second Team selection a season ago. Also back for MU are LaKia Barber, Laura Forbes, Marisa Jimenez and Marbely Montas. Bender comes into the season ranked 18th on the Monmouth career scoring list with 803 career points and will be the focal point of the MU offense this year. Barber averaged career-best 7.5 points per game last season and will be counted on this year for her offense even more than in the past. Jimenez is battling a shoulder injury that has slowed her progress this year. Montas is a terrifi c athlete who will supply great defense and an ability to get into the lane, while Forbes is a very solid player who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. A SEAT AT THE TABLE. Bryant University accepted an invitation from the Northeast Conference s Council of Presidents to become the NEC s 12th member earlier this year. Bryant will become a core member of the conference in 2012 upon completion of the fi ve-year NCAA Division I reclassifi cation period. Located in Smithfi eld, Rhode Island, Bryant currently competes at the NCAA Division II level. The institution began its transition into Division I when it fi led for reclassifi cation this past May. Nicknamed the Bulldogs, Bryant is a charter member of the Northeast-10 Conference, which was formed in The school fi elds a nationally competitive athletics program that fi nished 27th in the Division II Director s Cup standings in and captured its third Northeast-10 Presidents Cup trophy - awarded annually to the top athletics program among the 15 member institutions that make up the conference - in the last four years. The NEC is expanding for the fi rst time since 1996 when Central Connecticut State (1997), Quinnipiac (1998), UMBC (1998, departed in 2003) and Sacred Heart (1999) were added. EXPERIENCED STAFF TAKES OVER Jennifer Payes, Angelika Szumilo and Samantha Allison joined the MU staff as assistant coaches this season with Anita Jennings entering her fi rst season as the Director of Basketball Operations. Gaitley s Monmouth University coaching staff remains intact from her previous stop, Long Island, and has been together for the previous four years. After serving as an assistant coach to Gaitley at Long Island University, Jennifer Payes assumes the role of associate head coach for Monmouth. Payes, who is the recruiting coordinator and also will be in charge of scheduling, in addition to working with the frontcourt players, will help fi nd the ideal student-athlete to take MU to the top of the Northeast Conference. Szumilo will join Payes on the bench for the Blue and White. Szumilo spent fi ve seasons at Long Island on Gaitley s staff after enjoying a stellar playing career for the Blackbirds. She is eighth on the school s all-time assists list with 229, and is MU CAREER RECORDS POINTS SCORED - CAREER 1. Linda Wilson ( ) 1, Michelle Allen ( ) 1, Amanda Rosato ( ) 1, Michelle Cappadona ( ) 1, Sue Shea ( ) 1, Niamh Dwyer ( ) 1, Jen Brzucki ( ) 1, Jewonda Bright ( ) 1, Sandra Cook ( ) 1, Tracey Robinson ( ) 1, Beth DiRenzo ( ) 1, Christa Ciriani ( ) 1, Katie Kostohryz ( ) 1, Jamie Ward ( ) Ellen Brennan ( ) Veronica Randolph ( ) JENNIFER BENDER (2005-) Courtney Lumpkin ( ) 824 MOST REBOUNDS - CAREER 1. Linda Wilson ( ) 1, Sandra Cook ( ) Jen Brzucki ( ) Sue Shea ( ) Katie Kostohryz ( ) Michelle Cappadona ( ) Jamie Ward ( ) Christa Ciriani ( ) Michelle Allen ( ) Jewonda Bright ( ) Tracy Robinson ( ) Veronica Randolph ( ) Kenya Howze ( ) JENNIFER BENDER (2005-) Ramona Johnson ( ) 505 MOST STEALS - CAREER 1. Michelle Cappadona ( ) Christie Pearce ( ) Jamie Ward ( ) Amanda Rosato ( ) Linda Wilson ( ) Beth DiRenzo ( ) Erin Winston ( ) Tracy Radigan ( ) Michelle Allen ( ) Ramona Johnson ( ) LaSheena Martin ( ) Niamh Dwyer ( ) Sue Shea ( ) Rachel Goodale ( ) 150 MOST ASSISTS - CAREER 1. Ellen Brennan ( ) Nicole Cervino ( ) Sue Shea ( ) Michelle Cappadona ( ) Tracey Radigan ( ) Rachel Goodale ( ) Christie Pearce ( ) Audrey Taylor ( ) Kathy Sturm ( ) Beth DiRenzo ( ) Erin Winston ( ) Niamh Dwyer ( ) Amanda Rosato ( ) 234 THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS - CAREER 1. Amanda Rosato ( ) Beth DiRenzo ( ) Niamh Dwyer ( ) Veronica Randolph ( ) Rachel Goodale ( ) Liz Whalen ( ) LaSheena Martin ( ) 62 Brianne Edwards ( ) Michelle Cappadona ( ) Nicole Cervino ( ) Audrey Taylor ( ) Fran Raph ( ) 40

6 tied for second all-time with 136 assists in the season. Samantha Allison, another former LIU assistant coach and Northeast Conference player, will join Gaitley s staff as an assistant coach. Allison enjoyed a great playing career for Saint Francis (Pa.) in which she led her team to two Northeast Conference Championships. Anita Jennings as the Director of Women s Basketball Operations. Jennings, who comes to Monmouth after spending the past year as an assistant coach at Hollidaysburg Sr. High School in Hollidaysburg, Pa., is a former player under Gaitley from her days at St. Joseph s in Philadelphia. BORN AND RAISED IN THE COUNTY OF DADE. Monmouth freshman Taylor Smith enjoyed a standout scholastic playing career at Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida. She was named First-Team All County by the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald from and was named the Florida Class 3A Player of the Year in Smith was named Third Team All-State in 2007 and ended her high school career with 1,313 points. EAST COAST BIAS The members of the Monmouth University women s basketball team represent fi ve East Coast states that span from Florida to New York. There are a team-high four Hawks from New Jersey on the squad, Marbely Montas (Cranford), Marisa Jimenez (Carteret), Laura Forbes (Eatontown) and Alexis Scott (Somerset). Three Hawks hail from Maryland and New York apiece. The three MU players that are from the Ole Line State are LaKia Barber (Clinton), Sam Schanuel (Walkersville) and Alexis Canady (Forestville), while three from the Empire State are Jennifer Bender (Staten Island), Liz Kurdirka (Planview) and Heather Reynolds (Painted Post). The other two states accounted for are Pennsylvania with Kevaney Martin and Florida with Taylor Smith. Likewise the coaching staff represents three states on the list as well, with head coach Stephanie V. Gaitley hailing from New Jersey and associate head coach Jennifer Payes, who is from Maryland. Director of Basketball Operations Anita Jennings is from Pennsylvania. THE GAITLEY ERA BEGINS MU s season opening win over Saint Peter s marked the fi rst in the Stephanie V. Gaitley regime in West Long Branch. One of the most successful coaches in all of college basketball, Gaitley begins her 23rd season as a head coach with a record. She is the alltime winningest coach at two of her previous stops (Richmond and Long Island) and the second winningest coach at her third school (Saint Joseph s). UP NEXT Monmouth returns to action when they travel to Texas to participate in the UTEP Tournament over the Thanksgiving break. The Hawks take on the host Miners on November 28 and either Utah State or Texas State on November 29.

7 Numerical MONMOUTH ROSTER # Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Hometown/High School 1 Alexis Canady Fr. G 5-5 Forestville, Md./Bishop McNamara 3 Taylor Smith Fr. F 6-0 Plantation, Fla./American Heritage 12 Marbely Montas Sr. G 5-8 Cranford, N.J./Elizabeth (Union County College) 13 Elizabeth Kudirka So. F/C 6-3 Planview, N.Y./Planview 21 Jennifer Bender Sr. F 6-1 Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Tech 23 Marisa Jimenez Sr. G 5-8 Carteret, N.J./Carteret 25 Samantha Schanuel So. C 6-3 Walkersville, Md. /Walkersville 30 Laura Forbes Sr. C 6-0 Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional 31 Kevaney Martin Jr. G 5-11 Oil City, Pa./Oil City 32 Heather Reynolds Fr. G 5-7 Painted Post, N.Y./Corning West 44 Alexis Scott Fr. G 5-9 Somerset, N.J./Franklin 55 LaKia Barber Sr. F 5-11 Clinton, Md./Gwynn Park Alphabetical # Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown/High School 55 LaKia Barber Sr. F 5-11 Clinton, Md./Gwynn Park 21 Jennifer Bender Sr. F 6-1 Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Tech 1 Alexis Canady Fr. G 5-5 Forestville, Md./Bishop McNamara 30 Laura Forbes Sr. C 6-0 Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional 23 Marisa Jimenez Sr. G 5-8 Carteret, N.J./Carteret 13 Elizabeth Kudirka So. F/C 6-3 Planview, N.Y./Planview 31 Kevaney Martin Jr. G 5-11 Oil City, Pa./Oil City 12 Marbely Montas Sr. G 5-8 Cranford, N.J./Elizabeth (Union County College) 32 Heather Reynolds Fr. G 5-7 Painted Post, N.Y./Corning West 25 Samantha Schanuel So. C 6-3 Walkersville, Md. /Walkersville 44 Alexis Scott Fr. G 5-9 Somerset, N.J./Franklin 3 Taylor Smith Fr. F 6-0 Plantation, Fla./American Heritage Head Coach: Stephanie V. Gaitley (Villanova, 1982) Associate Head Coach: Jen Payes (Saint Joseph s, 1999) Assistant Coach: Angelika Szumilo (Long Island, 2003) Assistant Coach: Sami Allison (Saint Francis [Pa.], 2004) Director of Basketball Operations: Anita Jennings (Saint Joseph s, 1995)

8 MONMOUTH'S Starting Line-Ups Date Opponent Forward Forward Guard Guard Guard Result 11/15/08 at Saint Peter s Barber Bender Canady Montas Scott W, (ot) 11/19/08 IONA Barber Bender Canady Montas Scott L, /24/08 11/28/08 at UTEP 11/29/08 vs. Utah State/Texas State 12/03/08 at St. John s 12/06/08 *at Quinnipiac 12/08/08 *FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 12/12/08 at Princeton 12/18/08 at Virginia 12/29/08 HOWARD 12/31/08 at Villanova 01/03/09 *SACRED HEART 01/07/09 *CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 01/12/09 *at St. Francis (N.Y.) 01/17/09 *QUINNIPIAC 01/19/09 *at Fairleigh Dickinson 01/24/09 *at Mount St. Mary s 01/26/09 *LONG ISLAND 01/31/09 *at Robert Morris 02/02/09 *at Saint Francis (Pa.) 02/07/09 *ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) 02/09/09 BRYANT 02/14/09 *MOUNT ST. MARY S 02/16/09 *at Long Island 02/21/09 *at Sacred Heart 02/23/09 *ROBERT MORRIS 02/28/09 *WAGNER 03/02/09 *at Central Connecticut State MONMOUTH'S Individual Game Leaders Date Opponent Result 11/15/08 at Saint Peter s W, (ot) Bender - 25 Bender - 12 Jimenez - 3 Four players /19/08 IONA L, Barber - 22 Bender - 13 Jimenez - 3 Bender/Canady /24/08 11/28/08 at UTEP 11/29/08 vs. Utah State/Texas State 12/03/08 at St. John s 12/06/08 *at Quinnipiac 12/08/08 *FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 12/12/08 at Princeton 12/18/08 at Virginia 12/29/08 HOWARD 12/31/08 at Villanova 01/03/09 *SACRED HEART 01/07/09 *CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 01/12/09 *at St. Francis (N.Y.) 01/17/09 *QUINNIPIAC 01/19/09 *at Fairleigh Dickinson 01/24/09 *at Mount St. Mary s 01/26/09 *LONG ISLAND 01/31/09 *at Robert Morris 02/02/09 *at Saint Francis (Pa.) 02/07/09 *ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) 02/09/09 BRYANT 02/14/09 *MOUNT ST. MARY S 02/16/09 *at Long Island

9 MONMOUTH STATISTICS RECORD: OVERALL HOME AWAY NEUTRAL ALL GAMES... (1-1) (0-1) (1-0) (0-0) CONFERENCE... (0-0) (0-0) (0-0) (0-0) NON-CONFERENCE... (1-1) (0-1) (1-0) (0-0) ---TOTAL PTS REBOUNDS---- ## Player GP-GS Min--Avg FG-FGA Pct 3FG-FGA Pct FT-FTA Pct Off Def Tot Avg PF FO A TO Blk Stl Pts Avg BENDER, Jennifer BARBER, LaKia JIMENEZ, Marisa CANADY, Alexis MONTAS, Marbely SCOTT, Alexis FORBES, Laura SMITH, Taylor TEAM Total Opponents SCORE BY PERIODS: 1st 2nd OT Total Monmouth Opponents DEADBALL REBOUNDS: OFF DEF TOTAL Monmouth Opponents

10 Monmouth 59 1 Saint Peter s 47 Nov. 15, 2008 Yanitelli Center [1024) Jersey City, N.J. Monmouth (1-0) 21 Bender, Jennifer f Barber, LaKia f Canady, Alexis g Montas, Marbely g Scott, Alexis g Smith, Taylor Jimenez, Marisa Forbes, Laura TEAM Totals Saint Peter s (0-1) 23 Morris, Natasha f Riddick, Charlene f Kennedy, Tania g Ali, Alena g Bryant, Cassandra g Oyesile, Adenike Lynch, Rebecca Judson, Jynae Smith, Jamie House, Sakara Miller, Shatira TEAM Totals st 2nd OT 2OT Tot FG% 3FG% FT% DBR Bnch Monmouth = % 66.7% 77.1% 5,1 10 Saint Peter s = % 75.0% 54.5% 2 15 Officials: Butch Discher, John Fitzpatrick, Teri Thompson; Techincal Fouls:. 2 Nov. 19, 2008 Boylan Gym [570) Iona 53 Monmouth 51 West Long Branch, N.J. Iona (3-0) 44 Lutz, Catherine f Ivkovic, Anda f Bacic, Tomica g Fregosi, Suzi g Cook, Thazina g Scannell, Jessica Ricketts, Naeemah Flagg, Marissa Schoof, Sarah TEAM Totals Monmouth (1-1) 21 Bender, Jennifer f Barber, LaKia f Canady, Alexis g Montas, Marbely g Scott, Alexis g Smith, Taylor Jimenez, Marisa Forbes, Laura TEAM Totals st 2nd OT 2OT Tot FG% 3FG% FT% DBR Bnch Iona = % 42.9% 83.3% 1 8 Monmouth = % 16.7% 70.0% 1 7 Officials: Joe Barrise, Butch Discher, Dolores Martino; Techincal Fouls:.

11 1 Alexis Canady Position Guard Height Class Freshman Hometown Forestville, Md. High School Bishop McNamara Nickname AC PLAYER CAPSULES 3 Taylor Smith Position Forward Height Class Freshman Hometown Plantation, Fla. High School American Heritage Nickname Tay Games Played 2 2 Games Started 2 2 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 0 Games Played 1 1 Games Started 0 0 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 0 at Saint Peter s IONA at Saint Peter s IONA SEASON/CAREER HIGHS 7 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 10 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 2 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 3 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 42 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) SEASON/CAREER HIGHS 1 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 4 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08)

12 12 Marbely Montas Position Guard Height Class Senior Hometown Cranford, N.J. High School Elizabeth Nickname Belly PLAYER CAPSULES 13 Elizabeth Kudirka Position Forward/Center Height Class Sophomore Hometown Planview, N.Y. High School Planview Nickname Liz Games Played 2 33 Games Started 2 27 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 8 Games Played 0 23 Games Started 0 0 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 0 at Saint Peter s IONA at Saint Peter s IONA DNP - COACH S DECISION DNP - COACH S DECISION SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS 8 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 16 vs. CCSU (01/21/08) 8 vs. Saint Francis [Pa.] (03/03/08) 3 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 9 vs. Saint Francis (Pa.) (01/05/08) 3 vs. Saint Francis [Pa.] (03/03/08) 2 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 1 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 1 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 35 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 6 vs. FDU (01/28/08) 5 vs. St. Francis [N.Y.] (01/19/08) 1 four times last time: vs. Quinnipiac (02/25/08) 42 vs. St. Francis [N.Y.] (01/19/08) 1 vs. Quinnipiac (01/12/08) 5 vs. St. Francis [N.Y.] (01/19/08) 1 four times last time: vs. Quinnipiac (02/25/08) 11 vs. St. John s (11/28/07)

13 21 Jennifer Bender Position Forward/Center Height Class Senior Hometown Staten Island, N.Y. High School Staten Island Tech Nickname JenBen PLAYER CAPSULES 23 Marisa Jimenez Position Guard Height Class Senior Hometown Carteret, N.J. High School Carteret Nickname Ma-riss Games Played 2 73 Games Started 2 36 Double-Doubles 1 16 Double Digit Scoring Games 1 44 Games Played 2 85 Games Started 0 50 Double Digit Scoring Games 1 22 at Saint Peter s IONA at Saint Peter s IONA SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS 25 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 25 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 10 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 23 vs. Mount St. Mary s (02/17/07) 13 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 3 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 1 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 41 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 15 vs. FDU (01/28/08) 5 vs. Quinnipiac (02/25/08) 3 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 3 vs. Wagner (01/14/08) 3 vs. Princeton (01/02/08) 2 fi ve times last time: 2 vs. FDU (01/28/08) 44 vs. FDU (01/28/08) 5 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 3 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 3 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 1 vs. Iona (11/19/08) 34 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 7 vs. Rice (11/10/06) 7 at Sacred Heart (01/13/07) 8 at Drexel (12/16/06) 6 vs. Quinnipiac (02/16/06) 2 at Wagner (02/12/07) 2 at Mount St. Mary s (02/17/07) 35 at Mount St. Mary s (03/01/08)

14 25 Samantha Schanuel Position Forward/Center Height Class Sophomore Hometown Walkersville, Md. High School Walkersville Nickname Sam PLAYER CAPSULES 30 Laura Forbes Position Forward Height Class Senior Hometown Eatontown, N.J. High School Monmouth Regional Nickname Juice Games Played 0 18 Games Started 0 0 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 0 Games Played 2 23 Games Started 0 0 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 0 at Saint Peter s IONA DNP - COACH S DECISION DNP - COACH S DECISION at Saint Peter s IONA SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS 4 vs. Princeton (01/02/08) 4 vs. Quinnipiac (01/12/08) 3 vs. Princeton (01/02/08) 1 vs. Villanova (11/18/07) 1 vs. Sacred Heart (12/08/07) 1 vs. American (12/03/07) 1 vs. Sacred Heart (12/08/07) 1 vs. CCSU (01/21/08) 13 vs. American (12/03/07) 1 2 vs. Quinnipiac (01/12/08) 1 vs. Wagner (01/14/08) 1 three times last time: 1 vs. FDU (01/28/08) 15 vs. Quinnipiac (01/12/08)

15 31 Kevaney Martin Position Guard Height Class Junior Hometown Oil City, Pa. High School Oil City Nickname Kev PLAYER CAPSULES 44 Alexis Scott Position Guard Height Class Freshman Hometown Somerset, N.J. High School Franklin Nickname Scottie Games Played 0 20 Games Started 0 0 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 0 Games Played 2 2 Games Started 2 2 Double Digit Scoring Games 0 0 at Saint Peter s IONA DNP - COACH S DECISION DNP - COACH S DECISION at Saint Peter s IONA SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS 2 vs. Lafayette (11/12/07) 2 vs. CCSU (01/21/08) 2 vs. Lafayette (11/12/07) 1 vs. Lafayette (11/12/07) 1 vs. St. Francis [N.Y.] (01/19/08) 1 vs. Fordham (11/24/07) 11 vs. Lafayette (11/12/07) SEASON/CAREER HIGHS 2 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 4 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 1 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 27 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08)

16 55 LaKia Barber Position Forward Height Class Senior Hometown Clinton, Md. High School Gwynn Park Nickname Kia Games Played 2 88 Games Started 2 20 Double-Doubles 1 3 Double Digit Scoring Games PLAYER CAPSULES at Saint Peter s IONA SEASON HIGHS 12 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 7 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 1 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 1 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) 37 vs. Saint Peter s (11/15/08) CAREER HIGHS 19 vs. FDU (02/18/08) 19 vs. Marshall (11/23/06) 10 vs. St. Francis [N.Y.] (01/19/08) 3 vs. Robert Morris (01/27/07) 2 three times last time: 2 vs. St. Francis [N.Y.] (12/10/06) 2 three times last time: 2 vs. Long Island (02/08/08) 31 vs. St. Francis [N.Y.] (01/19/08)