OKLAHOMA CITY --?The Mid-America Christian University women's basketball program is embarking on a new beginning heading into the 2015-16 season.? The Lady Evangels are now under the guidance of head coach Seth Froese, who served the past two years as assistant coach under Marcus Moeller, now the school's full-time Athletic Director.? Froese is a natural fit to take over the team after helping the squad to their first consecutive winning seasons since joining the NAIA in 2007.
"I don't know that there is ever an abundance of ease in the transition from assistant coach to head coach," Froese said. "I think if there is ever any ease in that transition it's because of the leadership and mentoring that you have received from the coaches that you have worked for leading up to that moment.? I feel extremely grateful to the men that I have worked under, who have allowed me to learn so many of the things that you need to do to be a successful head coach.? It has definitely been a longer process than two seasons, but Coach (Marcus) Moeller assuredly was a tremendous help in getting me ready for this transition.? Probably the best part about being part of the program the last two seasons that has helped with the transition are the relationships.? Having good, positive relationships with your returners and also the players that you recruited as newcomers makes the transition so much easier.? Not to mention the relationships with the amazing people that work at MACU that have definitely made it as smooth as possible."
Changes with the Lady Evangels aren't limited to the bench, as the Lady Evangels also welcome six newcomers to the program to go along with the five returnees that will form this year's squad.?
A big challenge will be to make up for the loss of top scorer Ashlee Ferguson and leading rebounder Alexia Kelley, but Froese knows to fill those gaps will be best done by a collective effort.
?"I am excited about our returners," Froese said.? "Although, we lost our top three scorers from last season, I think this group has the ability to step forward this season and step into more prominent roles.? It has been very encouraging to watch them embrace a new coaching staff and some new philosophies by taking on leadership roles for our team."??
Guards
Junior Alliyah Spatafora returns to run the offense after leading the Lady Evangels in assists the last two seasons.? Spatafora is an offensive catalyst that also raised her scoring average to eight points per game last year and rebounding total to 4.1 rpg.? Senior Lindsey Mann will be expected to give the Lady Evangels the opportunity to stretch opposing defenses and provide a consistent threat from beyond the arc. Mann shot 35.1 percent (27-of-77) from the perimeter in her first year with the program.?
"I am really excited to have Lindsey and Alliyah back this season," Froese said.? "I think that they have the opportunity to have big impacts for us.? They both have the ability to lead with effort and energy on both ends of the floor.? Their play making skill on both ends of the floor will be a huge asset along with their flexibility to play multiple guard spots."
Two new senior guards on the team this season are Kelli Tolar and Laramie Ball. Tolar played at NCAA D-I Illinois State University last season and is a two-time T-Cal State Champion at Cornerstone Christian HS in San Antonio, Texas, averaging 22.5 points per game her senior season.? She then played two years at Dodge City Community College and scored 18 points per game in her final season while shooting 41.3% from the field and 39.7% from the 3-point line. ?Ball is no stranger to the program after previously competing on the MACU junior varsity team.? Sophomore guard Sarai Rodriguez and freshmen guards Brianna Kallead and Janaya Hines will also vie for playing time season. Rodriguez played three games at Southern Arkansas University after an injury shortened her season. As a junior at Steele HS, Rodriguez won the sixth man of the year award during their run to the Texas UIL 5A Championship game during the 2012-13 season.? Kallead was a three year lettermen for O'Connor High School in San Antonio, Texas.? She played a pertinent role in making school history by winning an undefeated District Championship (first in 17 years in school history) in a very competitive 27-6A district.?
Forwards
Senior Tierra Brown and junior D'Shala Culberson are veterans that the Lady Evangels will feature at the forward spot this year.? Brown is a three-year contributor that averaged 6.5 points per game last season and was third on the team with 5.4 rebounds.? Culberson played in 28 games with three starts in her first season with the program in 2014-15, pulling down 3.6 boards and ranking fourth on the team with nine blocks.? Junior Jamie Lamb also joins the team this season after competing at Jacksonville College last year, where she was the squad's second leading scorer, averaging 8.8 points per game while shooting 49.2% from the floor.? She also recorded 5.3 rebounds per game.? As a senior at Pflugerville Connally High, Lamb played for Candi Harvey, former WNBA and NCAA DI head coach and averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Centers
Senior center Shakayla Love will be expected to anchor the paint this season for the Lady Evangels.? In her first season with the team last year, Love produced 7.8 points per game and was second in rebounds (5.8 rpg), blocks (17) and field-goal percentage (.473).
"As seniors, Tierra and Shakayla bring great experience as players who have played in this league and understand the effort and intensity level we need to be successful," Froese said.? "They both give us a defensive presence along with the ability to stretch the floor a little bit and run.? D'shala has been a constant for us and continues to show leadership on and off the court.? Her ability, desire and hard work will be a huge benefit to our team this season."
"Although I had hoped our incoming class would be a bit larger, I am very happy about the quality of our newcomers," Froese continued.?
"From the moment they arrived on campus, they have had a positive impact on our team.? The arrival of Sarai brings us a guard that can free up a couple of our returners.? She has a great competitive drive and shows great ability to control the action at both ends from the point guard position.? Kelli is someone that brings a high basketball IQ and the ability to stretch the floor.? Having played at high levels of college basketball, she brings a great understanding and leadership qualities to our back court.? Jamie is a versatile guard-forward that gives us the flexibility to put her at multiple spots on the floor.? She is a physical player that brings some toughness around the rim as well.? I was really happy to have signed two freshman, Janaya and Brianna.? It will be fun to watch them grow the next four years.? Janaya has the ability to have a big impact with her ability to shoot, drive and finish in the post.? Brianna will be a great addition with her length and ability to shoot, as well as find her way to the basket.
Schedule
The Lady Evangels will kick off the 2015-16 season with a pair of games at the Sterling Classic on Nov. 6-7 in Sterling, Kan. against Tabor College and Sterling College.? The home opener will take place on Nov. 19 against Langston University, while the Lady Evangels will begin action in the Sooner Athletic Conference on Dec. 5 at Texas Wesleyan University in Ft. Worth, Texas.??
