Women warriors show strong improvement over a year ago
The 2008-2009 Women's basketball team hasbegun the season with a strong start. Beginning with a good road win at St. Clair College (Canada) on October 28 with a score of 54-52, and followed by a tough home loss to the University of Michigan-Dearborn 58-65 on October 30. The U of M game saw the women warriors give up a late lead, but a strong showing nonetheless.
With 9 new faces on this year's roster, Head Coach Joel Schroeder is excited with the direction the girls are headed. "Last year in a game like the U of M Dearborn game, we were not even close to being competitive. But this year, the girls have been working hard to improve everyday and it showed against Dearborn. We gave ourselves a chance to win, but we just came up short". "We have a strong nucleus back from last year and add to that a number of Freshman and transfers, we have a chance to cause some damage this season".
With one year of college basketball under their belts, Sophomores Rachel Graham, Jessica Crook, and Jacki Steinacker will be looked upon to provide continuity and leadership from the guard positions, along with Senior guard Loren O'Brien. Also in the mix this season will be junior college transfer Kelly Burton (St. Clair Community College), who brings great instincts as a basketball coaches daughter. Her Father is the Head Boys Basketball coach at Brown City High School. A number of Freshman will be looked upon to make impacts this year as well. Kristin Drogosch(Lahser High School), also a coaches daughter, Jax Otto (Clarkston High School),Chelsea Pieters (Waterford Kettering), Traci Taylor (Sterling Heights), and Chelsea Villeme (Armada High School) will all be looked at to make impacts this season.
Going into the recruiting season last year coach Schroeder knew he had some work to do. "I had to get us better in the post position for this season, and we were successful in doing that. We needed to continue to work with our post players on the roster, but also we had to get bigger". The big signees for this 08-09 team were 6' 3" Freshman Elizabeth Stockwell from Moline, Illinois, 6'1" Freshman Lindsay Nelson (Aranac Eastern) and 5'10" Freshman Autumn Warman (Waterford Kettering). Coach Schroeder says, "Elizabeth and Lindsay have done a great job so far this season, with those two and our returning post players, we are a lot better this year and when Autumn gets back from over seas, we will be even better". Autumn, the daughter of RC assistant coach Rich Warman, has taken a semester to learn abroad through the college. Providing experience at the post position will be sophomores Nicole Silk and Emily McRoberts, both of whom have come a long way under the leadership of Coach Schroeder.
The road won't be easy for this year's team, but they are poised and ready for any challenge that may come their way. The next game for the team is today at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, MI. Game time is scheduled for 5:00 pm.
31 July 2008
Rochester College Womens Basketball Team adds 10 recruits to the 2008-09 Lady Warriors
Head Women's Basketball Coach, Joel Schroeder announced the signings of 10 recruits that will be competing on the hardwood for the Lady Warriors in the 2008-2009 season. After returning 7 players from last years' 9 win season Coach Schroeder feels this could be one of the best incoming classes the Lady Warriors have had in many years. "We are very excited about our 2008-09 recruiting class, these girls are all talented players that will make immediate impacts on the Lady Warriors program" Schroeder says "Not only are these girls great students and people, but all the families and coaches have been great to work with and we are very happy to have everyone in our Rochester College Family."
Kelly Burton
59 Guard
Saint Clair Community College Brown City Michigan Junior Education Major
The Lady Basketball Warriors move into the 2007-2008 season with great excitement and high expectations. The Lady Warriors, under first year coach Joel Schroeder, hope to bring a work ethic to the program that will be a staple for years to come. "The goals that our team has set for ourselves this season are very high," says Coach Schroeder. "We want that and look forward to the challenge."
The team has a great core of returning Warriors led by junior Loren O'Brien (Clawson High) and junior Sarah Wilhoit (Berkley High). "These two have brought great leadership and work ethic to our program in our fall practices" says Coach Schroeder. Also returning and greatly counted on to contribute in the post this season is sophomores Nicole Silk and Emily McRoberts. "Nicole and Emily have been great so far, they both work very hard and are eager to learn everything about post play." Returning with a lot of pressure to learn a new offense and be able to protect the ball are sophomores Gwendolyn Martin and Nene Rosolino. "Gwen and Nene have worked very hard, I am very excited to have both of them in the program," says Coach Schroeder. "These two have to learn so much and be an extension of the head coach on the floor, I know they are up to the challenge."
The lady warriors have put together a great recruiting class this year led by two Jr. College transfers from Macomb Community College, Leah Ayers and Ashley Cooper. "These two were a great surprise this summer, they both will play major roles in our success this year," says Coach Schroeder. Also joining the Lady Warriors this year are four freshman. Rachel Graham and Jessica Crook will be expected to make an impact immediately at the 1 and 2 guard position. "Rachel and Jessica will be a big part of our ball handling this year along with pressure defensive situations. I look for these two to be impact players in our program this year," says Coach Schroeder. Katie Spellman and Jaquelyn Steinacker will be expected to make an impact as wing players and bring energy and toughness to all of our games. "Katie and Jaquelyn give us the depth that we really need this year on our wings and 4 position." Schroeder says. "I am expecting both of these athletes to contribute on both ends of the floor."
The future of this program is bright with the work ethic this team is bringing every day. As we move forward on our journey this year we will be setting the foundation for years to come.
07 August 2007
Athletic Director Garth Pleasant announces the hiring of Joel Schroeder as Women's Basketball Coach
Athletic Director Garth Pleasant and Rochester College are pleased to announce the hiring of Joel Schroeder as the new Head coach of the Women's Basketball team. Joel most recently served as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team since 2003. Prior to serving as an assistant coach with the men's basketball team, Joel was the Boy's Varsity Head Basketball Coach at Bellvue High School from 1999-2002. After earning All-League honors at Lapeer East High School in 1995, Schroeder played at Olivet College from 1995-1998, being named to the All-Tournament Team in 1998. He played his final college season (1998-1999) at Rochester College. In addition to his Rochester College coaching responsibilities, Schroeder is involved with basketball camps at Michigan State University, University of Toledo, and University of Wisconsin. He is also Sports Director at the North Oakland YMCA.
Athletic Director Garth Pleasant says of Joel: "Joel is a real student of the game and has done a great job developing his coaching ability. We look forward to watching him build the Women's program into a National contender."
