MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State women's basketball team returned to the Worthen Arena court Friday night for the first time since last season's Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) second round game as the Cardinals held their first official practice of the 2007-08 season.
“I was really impressed with our intensity tonight in our first practice,” seventh-year head coach Tracy Roller said. “Our newcomers did a really good job tonight and our seniors led us with their intensity as the practice went on. I am really excited about how far along we are at this point in the year.”
The Cardinals hit the court at 9 p.m. on Friday night and held a two-hour practice in Worthen Arena. Ball State is coming off of a 24-7 season last year as the Cardinals took home the MAC-West Division title. The Cardinals return four starters from last season's team and seven letterwinners.
Leading the charge for BSU heading into the season is the Cardinals' senior duo in Julie DeMuth (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville) and Lisa Rusche (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills). The two post players combined to score 828 points and grab 488 rebounds last season. DeMuth, a preseason All-MAC selection, led the team in scoring at 15.5 points while Rusche added 11.2 points per game.
Also returning from the starting lineup are junior guard Porchia Green (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) and sophomore guard Audrey McDonald (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo). Green, a preseason All-MAC selection, averaged 10.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season. McDonald was named to the All-MAC Freshman team last year as she averaged 8.7 points per game as she converted 62-of-155 (.400) from three-point land.
The Cardinals will also welcome back junior guard Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington, Ind./North), junior forward Dana Moorman (Kettering, Ohio/Kettering Fairmont) and redshirt freshman Kyleigh Jones (Elwood, Ind./Elwood). Jarrett was one of the Cardinals' top reserves last season as she averaged 15.8 minutes per game and finished third on the team with 62 assists.
Ball State also welcome in three newcomers to this year's team in junior transfer Danielle Gratton (Bethel Park, Pa./Illinois), freshman Emily Maggert (Paris, Ill./Paris) and freshman Shannon Klei (Coldspring, Ky./Newport Central Catholic).
The Cardinals will hit the court in a game situation for the first time on Nov. 2 as they host the Hoosier Lady Stars in an exhibition game at Worthen Arena at 7:30 p.m. Ball State will open the regular season at home on Nov. 10 as it hosts NCAA Tournament participant Louisville at 1 p.m.
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