THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 1995 TAG: 9511200153
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: College Preview Basketball
SOURCE: BY KEVIN DOEPP, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
After losing four starters and adding 10 new faces to her squad, Virginia Wesleyan's second-year coach Valerie Kepner is starting over.
Her roster includes two transfers, a senior who has never played college basketball and two juniors and a sophomore playing for the first time under Kepner.
There are also four freshman, including Leeanna Lillefloren of Green Run High. The only three returning players are guards: Amy and Andrea Beisch, both graduates of Kempsville, and Amy Shindle.
``We have new girls that are all from different programs,'' Kepner said. ``Some of them came in behind on basic concepts. Our inexperience and the fact that we have too many girls who haven't played together is a weakness.''
The Lady Marlins, picked fifth in the preseason ODAC poll, finished last season overall at 16-9 and 13-8 in the conference. Kepner is going to have to rely on some young talent to improve on that.
``We are going to be like the Cinderella team of the conference,'' Kepner said. ``I don't see us challenging for the regular-season title, but anything can happen in the (postseason) tournament.''
Amy Beisch will start in the point guard position. Last year she led the team in scoring (14.4 ppg) and averaged four assists a game.
Andrea Beisch and Shindle will see time at the wing positions. Last year, Andrea Beisch averaged 12 points a game and connected on 28 three-point goals. Shindle averaged three points a game in a limited role.
In the post, 5-10 junior Melanie Ludwig will start at center. Lillefloren, Jodi Syssa, Allison Guisti and Sara VanSchaick will vie for time in the blocks.
``I really think that we have the potential to beat anyone on any given night,'' Kepner said. ``For us to be successful we are going to have to play hard every night.''
Two areas that Kepner felt was in need of improvement was taking care of the ball and shot selection.
``Last year we were prone to a lot of turnovers,'' Kepner said. ILLUSTRATION: JIM WALKER /The Virginian-Pilot
Guard Amy Beisch, a Kempsville High grad, is one of only three
players returning for the Lady Marlins this year.
[Side Bar]
Lady Marlins at a Glance
For complete listing, see microfilm.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION by CNB