November 1, 2011
Salem State 2011-2012 Season Preview
Salem, MA — The 2011-2012 Lady Vikings under first year head Coach Michelle Cunningham , who replaces former coach Tim Shea after 30 years and 649 victories, look to return to the winning ways of Salem State Women's Basketball. After posting a dismal 3-22 record - 0-12 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference - and missing the MASCAC Tournament for the first time in program history, the team knows there is a lot of work to be done.
Coach Cunningham has set the bar high in her first season and will look to her co-captains, seniors Amy Barry (Manchester, NH) and Tara Driscoll (Swampscott, MA) to lead the team this season. Driscoll, who was named team MVP last season, "leads by example and is a tough player who looks to just compete." Barry continues to be the Lady Vikings go to deep threat as she led the team with 56 three pointers last season.
Also looking to make key contributions this season will be junior Maddi Park (Blue Hills, ME) who returns as the team's leading scorer, averaging 11.8 points per game. Senior Bre Comeau (Amesbury, MA) will look to make her senior season her best one yet. "Bre has worked very hard this off season and will look to be an all around threat this year."
Coach Cunningham has brought on six newcomers this season and will look to some of them to step up right away and be contributors. Looking to get in the mix will be freshmen Rachael Carter (Merrimack, NH) and Rachel Clasby (Northbridge, MA), as well as juniors Bridget Dullea (Peabody, MA) and Erica Mendez (Salem, MA).
The tough non-conference schedule in the first half of the season should help the Lady Vikings prepare for MASCAC conference play where they look to challenge some of the top teams once again.
The Lady Vikings will open their season on the road November 15th at 7:00 pm against Babson, a team that went 30-1 last year losing to the national champion Amherst in the elite eight. They will return home on November 18th and 19th to host their Tip-Off Tournament where they will welcome the City College of New York, Rivier College, and Western Connecticut State University.
Coach Cunningham has set the bar high in her first season and will look to her co-captains, seniors Amy Barry (Manchester, NH) and Tara Driscoll (Swampscott, MA) to lead the team this season. Driscoll, who was named team MVP last season, "leads by example and is a tough player who looks to just compete." Barry continues to be the Lady Vikings go to deep threat as she led the team with 56 three pointers last season.
Also looking to make key contributions this season will be junior Maddi Park (Blue Hills, ME) who returns as the team's leading scorer, averaging 11.8 points per game. Senior Bre Comeau (Amesbury, MA) will look to make her senior season her best one yet. "Bre has worked very hard this off season and will look to be an all around threat this year."
Coach Cunningham has brought on six newcomers this season and will look to some of them to step up right away and be contributors. Looking to get in the mix will be freshmen Rachael Carter (Merrimack, NH) and Rachel Clasby (Northbridge, MA), as well as juniors Bridget Dullea (Peabody, MA) and Erica Mendez (Salem, MA).
The tough non-conference schedule in the first half of the season should help the Lady Vikings prepare for MASCAC conference play where they look to challenge some of the top teams once again.
The Lady Vikings will open their season on the road November 15th at 7:00 pm against Babson, a team that went 30-1 last year losing to the national champion Amherst in the elite eight. They will return home on November 18th and 19th to host their Tip-Off Tournament where they will welcome the City College of New York, Rivier College, and Western Connecticut State University.
