Jackets Place Three on HCAC Preseason Players-to-Watch List

GREENWOOD, Ind. - Senior forward Mandie White, junior guard Tasha Stucke and sophomore guard Shavonda Price were each selected as HCAC Preseason Players-to-Watch according to the 2009-2010 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll released on Tuesday. The Yellow Jackets were picked to finish seventh in the HCAC for the second straight year, garnering 30 points in the poll. [HCAC Release]

Hanover was selected to finish first with 72 points, narrowly edging out Franklin and Transylvania by just one point. Bluffton received 52 points to place fourth while Manchester and Anderson placed fifth and sixth respectively. Rose-Hulman was picked to finish eighth with 21 points and Mount St. Joseph rounded out the rankings with a ninth place selection.

Defiance went 9-16 last season and 5-11 in the HCAC, putting up an impressive 7-8 record on the road. The Jackets finished fifth in the HCAC in scoring with 70 points per game, less than half of a point out of third place. They will need to reclaim their home court advantage in 2009-10 in order to return to the HCAC elite.

Mandie White is the lone senior on the team, and will be crucial to the Yellow Jackets' success this season. The Ottawa, Ohio, native is a two time All-HCAC selection and the Yellow Jackets' most talented post player. White averaged eight points a game last season while posting a team-high .436 field goal percentage. She was also second on the team in total rebounds and first in offensive rebounds with 55 in 2008-09.

Tasha Stucke is the floor general for Defiance, and will be looked on to lead the Yellow Jackets' offensive attack. The point guard led the team in assists for the second straight year with 98 in 2008-09, placing her third in assists in the HCAC. Stucke also led the team in steals with 46 last season and in minutes played, averaging 29 minutes per contest.

Shavonda Price established herself as one of the most versatile athletes in the HCAC during her freshman year, earning a spot on the HCAC All-Freshman team. Price was second on the team in scoring with 10.2 points per game, stepping her game up in conference play to post a team high 11.3 points per game. The guard was highly productive in nearly every statistical category, placing second on the team in assists, steals and blocks last season.

The Jackets will also look for major contributions from returning starters Courtney Schmersal and Brooke Zachrich. Schmersal is the Jacket's designated three point bomber, nailing a team high 49 three pointers in 2008-09. A healthy Brooke Zachrich will add another  dimension to the Jackets offense after her 2008-09 season was derailed by injuries.

The Yellow Jackets will begin the 2009-10 season on Tuesday, November 17, when they host Olivet College at the Karl H. Weaner center.