The 2009-10 edition of Warren Wilson College women's basketball will look very similar to the 2008-09 team as they return virtually everyone from a team that went 3-9 last season.  Under third-year coach Rob Shook, the Owls have high expectations as they return 95% of their scoring and their top five players in minutes played from a year ago.   

"This year's team has continued to build on what they learned the past couple of years," said Shook.  "Their hard work and experience has shown in practice and we are excited to see how it translates over into the game."

The 2009-2010 Fighting Owls will see the return of eight letter winners and four starters led by senior captains Georgia Anton (Santa Rosa, CA) and Laura Dison (Murfreesboro, TN).  Anton returns to the point guard position, a position she's held for the past three seasons.  The versatile Dison will likely start with Anton in the backcourt as Dison averaged 10 points per game last season.     

"It is such a luxury as a coach to have great senior leadership," said Shook.  "Our captains have shown great leadership thus far and have done a great job preparing our team for success."

Also returning in the backcourt is sophomore guard Jessica Bailey (Santa Cruz, CA) and junior guard Kelsey Chandler (Williamstown, MA).  Bailey was a major contributor last season as she saw time at both the point and off-guard positions and expects to see time at the same positions again this year.  Chandler saw regular reserve minutes last year before an injury sidelined her the second half of the season.  Also competing for playing time will be newcomers Lane Emmons (Atlanta, GA), Sarah Blandin (Washington D.C.), and Rachel Tutwiler (Cary, NC).

Shook is also excited about the prospects at the post position as he returns his entire front line from a year ago.  The Owls return forwards Leah Cameron (Milford, NJ), Alissa Gore (Leonardstown, MD), Phillippa Sanders (Chapel Hill, NC), and Bri MacIntosh (Edinboro, PA).  Cameron and Gore are returning starters after having a very strong 2008-09 campaign.  Sanders and MacIntosh both saw time last year off the bench and have continued to improve.  Newcomers to the front court are Julie Larsen (Cary, IL) and Chelsea Mansbridge (Annapolis, MD).

"This is by far the most talented team I've had in my three years at Warren Wilson," said Shook.  "Throughout the first month, our team has worked extremely hard and has challenged each other at every position.  I'm looking forward to our start on November 3."

The Owls open up their schedule on Tuesday, November 3 at Johnson Bible College and play their first home game on Friday, November 13 versus Toccoa Falls College at 5:00 pm.