LOCK HAVEN, Pa.  – The Lock Haven University women's basketball team is set to open its 2012-13 season this Monday (November 12) on the road at Chestnut Hill University.

The Lady Eagles are led by sixth-year head coach Jen Smith (Millersville '02) and third year assistant coach Zack Smith (Penn State '08), who are ready for the season's opening tip.

“We are extremely excited going into this season”, said head coach Jen Smith. “The team is very young and we are returning limited players who played quality minutes, but we have a team of fighters.”

The youth, coach Smith is referring to is evident just by looking at the roster, as the Lady Eagles have just two upper-classmen on their roster in forwards Kacie Hershey (Cochranville, Pa./Octorara) and Kelsey Ryan (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy).

Hershey, a senior, played in all 25 games for LHU last season.  She is a proven post player who can be a force on both the offensive and defensive end.  Hershey will provide The Haven with leadership both on and off the floor this season.

Ryan, a junior, also played in all 25 games a year ago and like Hershey, will be expected to be a key force on both the offensive and defensive end.

LHU also returns two key sophomore guards in Sami Lane (Montoursville, Pa./Loyalsock) and Emily Daugherty (Laughlintown, Pa./Ligonier).

Lane is coming off of a strong freshman campaign and is the team's leading returning scorer at 5.8 points per game.

Daugherty a redshirt-sophomore, who missed all of last season because of injury, will look to pick up where she left off in 2010-11, when she averaged 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a true-freshman.

Coach Smith knows that her team lacks a experience, but she feels very confident in the way her team has looked thus far in practice and in its exhibition game against Division I Pittsburgh.

“It is important that we get wins early in our schedule to gain confidence before going into PSAC West play,” said Smith. “Our exhibition game with the University of Pittsburgh definitely has helped prepare us for what lies down the road.”

The exhibition game with PITT gave the coaching staff a good idea of how deep this team is and what kind of tempo they will be able to play this season.

“The team is deep and I feel there will be a lot of players getting quality minutes allowing us to play a fast pace and aggressive style of play,” said Smith.  “I have never been more confident in my bench.”

The Lady Eagles have three other returning sophomores, who will definitely make an impact on this year's team, including Hannah Gildea (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) and Kirsti Bair (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley).

Gildea, a guard, provides immediate depth to the position and already knows the system from last season.

Bair, who will see time at forward, can be the piece that the Lady Eagles need to be a dominant team up front.

LHU also sees the return of redshirt sophomore Adrianna Berry (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East).  Berry missed all of last season, but will be an important part of The Haven's backcourt this season.

The Lady Eagles have a number of newcomers that are expected to be a significant part of LHU's success.

Sophomore forward Marrysa Moyer (Altoona, Pa./Mansfield Univ.) joins LHU after transferring from Mansfield University at the beginning of the year.  Moyer brings PSAC experience to the squad and has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor.  She averaged 6.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game at Mansfield last season.

Forward Alex Brehony (Mertztown, Pa./Brandywine Heights) also joins the team for the first time, but Brehony is no stranger to LHU.  Brehony has been a member of the LHU volleyball team for the past three seasons and will bring her experience in collegiate competition to the basketball court this season.

The Lady Eagles added four true-freshmen to this year's squad and the coaching staff is very excited about the depth that these freshmen will give this year's team.

Brianna Morales (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) is a talented point guard with raw talent.  Morales brings great quickness to the team and plays with a lot of enthusiasm.

J.J. Hilliard (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) will see time at the wing position this season.  Hilliard is a hard worker, who has strengths all over the court and continues to improve on a daily basis.

Rachael McDaniel (Plainfield, N.J./California (Pa.) Univ.) will make The Haven's point guard position that much deeper.  McDaniel is a strong guard who has the ability to stretch the floor with her three point shot.

Syvae McDaniel (Plainfield, N.J./California (Pa.) Univ.) is a strong post player, who brings a sense of toughness to the paint for LHU.

The Lady Eagles open up their season this Monday (November 12) on the road at Chestnut Hill.  Lock Haven's home opener is scheduled for Saturday, November 17 when the Lady Eagles host Mansfield University at Thomas Fieldhouse at 1 p.m.  LHU's first PSAC West contest will be Saturday, December 8 at Mercyhurst University.