Fresh off their first-ever NCAA Division III national championship tournament victory, the Union College Dutchwomen take to the road on Saturday, March 6, to face perennial power New York University. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
The Dutchwomen, who established yet another program record (for wins in a season), improved to 24-3 on Wednesday night (March 3) by ending Mount St. Mary's season, 78-47. The Blue Knights, who ended at 22-6, had been playing in their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament.
“They are an experienced team, well coached and playing at home, said Dutchwoman mentor Mary Ellen Burt. “They have players that can create their own shots and have some exceptional three-point shooters.
“Their posts are big and have dominated the paint all year. We'll continue to work hard on our half court defense and limit their easy looks in transition. Rebounding, as always, will be the key.”
The 22-3 Violets, who shared the University Athletic Association championship with Washington University are led on offense by 5'10 junior guard Rachel Wojdowski leads the squad in scoring (16.2), is second in rebounding (7.4), and the team leader in assists with an average of 3.2. Senior guard Lauren D'Ambrosio and 6'1 junior forward Chantal Kazay are next on the scoring chart with averages of 10.9 and 10.8, respectively.
Junior forward Stephanie Huhn averages a team-high 7.8 rebounds, to go along with her scoring average of 9.9. NYU has blocked 144 shots this season with Kazay (55), 5'11 freshman forward Sara Rabinovitch (19), Huhn (16), and Wojodowski (15) leading the team.
While the Dutchwomen are making their first appearance in the national event (in the program's 29-year history), the Violets have qualified for the national party 11 times under 16-year head coach Janice Quinn (who enters the game with a career record of 470-101, all at NYU). The Violets, who won the national championship in 1997 (and finished at 29-1), qualified for the Final Four in 1996 and made it to the Elite Eight in both 1999 and 2001. Quinn, who has never had a losing season, and her team return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2000-01 campaign.
Burt does not feel that tournament jitters will be a factor for her Dutchwomen, especially on defense where the team is allowing an average of 48.6 points a game while forcing the opposition into an average of 21 turnovers a game.
“Whether you are nervous or not, you can still work hard on defense and go after rebounds,” said Burt, whose team has given up 42, 39, and 47 points in the last three games. “I think the nerves hit more on the offensive end, but our defense usually sparks our offense so hopefully they will cancel out.
“I heard a quote that stuck with me, “fear is lack of faith”. I think our kids have a lot of faith in our system right now.”
While NYU appears to have several “superstars” on its roster, Union's team is made up of 14 players who make a point of contributing something positive to the team effort every time they are on the court. Sophomore guard Erika Eisenhut leads the team in minutes played at 25.3 with nine of her teammates averaging 10 or minutes of playing time. Burt is confident that the Dutchwomen's bench strength, their swarming defense, their confidence, and their aggressive style of play will give the Violets all they can handle.
“I think everyone on this team has a certain amount of “Nasty” in them,” said Burt in regard to her team's response to Mount Saint Mary's physical style of play in Wednesday's first-round game. “We get after each other pretty hard in practice and I think the kids are used to hearing “get up”, and they get right back into the play.
“You aren't always going to get a call (from the officials), and physical play is part of the game. Katlyn Cunningham (a junior forward and tri-captain) is such a tough kid that gets thrown around by some bigger post players but keeps getting back up, and that is contagious to the rest of the team. Her play certainly doesn't go unnoticed by her teammates. Kelly Baker (a senior forward and tri-captain) is as tough as anyone, pound for pound, and certainly plays aggressively. Krystal Hammond (a freshman forward) is getting accustomed to the college game and the amount of physical play that is required from post players. She can mix it up with the best of them.
“And then there is Taryn (senior guard and tri-captain Taryn Scinto). Nobody is going to push her around without getting pushed back.”
The game features the first-ever meeting between Union and New York University. Burt feels that her team is ready to meet the challenge.
“I think the kids have really been focused these last few weeks,” she said” “We have been battled tested during the UCAA regular-season and in our conference tournament. “hat certainly helped us against Mount Saint Mary and I'm counting on that being a factor against NYU.”
The winner will advance to the “Sweet Sixteen”.
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