Nov. 21, 2003

VILLANOVA, PA. - The 2004 Villanova softball team will look to take the next step in securing the NCAA Tournament bid that has eluded them the past two seasons. Regardless, the Wildcats once again enjoyed much success a year ago.

Villanova finished 34-15-1 last season, including a 13-7 mark in the Big East Conference. The regular season produced several highlights, including an 18-4 mark at home for the 'Cats, and an impressive showing at the NFCA Tournament, in which 'Nova played well against four of the top 21 teams in collegiate softball.

The Wildcats were good enough to qualify for the Big East Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Villanova advanced to the tournament championship game, where Notre Dame escaped with a 3-2 victory in nine innings.

Several individual accomplishments also stood out during the 2003 season. Three Wildcats, outfielder Lisa Krueger, infielder Ricci Lugo and pitcher Theresa Hornick, were honored at the Big East's postseason banquet. In addition, Villanova placed five players on the NFCA All-Northeast Region team. Those players were Sara Carlson (utility), Hornick, Lugo, Krueger and designated hitter Jessie Olownia.

As a team, the Wildcats have been ranked as one of the top five teams in the region for the past several years.

All of these accomplishments came under the watch of Villanova head coach Maria DiBernardi, entering her 20th season at the helm. DiBernardi, who now has 499 career victories, once again teams with associate head coach Linda Goss, in her 18th year. The pair goes into 2004 with one of the deepest teams of their tenure.

The 'Cats return 13 letter winners and seven starters from last year's team, and DiBernardi claims, "We won't miss a beat." The 'Cats have lost significant leadership in Carlson, who was an All-American during her career, Hornick, who tallied five no-hitters for the 'Cats and the always reliable catcher, Kriste Romano. The 2004 Wildcats will count on solid defense and a balanced offensive attack in their quest for this year's Big East Championship.

PITCHER

The strength of Villanova in recent years has been the pitching staff, and with the departure of Hornick, this year's group will have their work cut out for them.

"We are going to need our pitchers to account for the loss of Theresa, and I am confident they will do so," states DiBernardi.

Shannon Williams is the team's ace, and will have to carry a majority of the load in the same way Hornick did in recent seasons. Williams, a junior (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus), went 11-4 last season with a 2.88 ERA in 116.2 innings of work.

Junior Kristen Haynes (Fairfax, Calif./Sir Francis Drake) will also help fill Hornick's shoes. Haynes saw significant time last season, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.77 earned run average. She will be counted on to step into the other starting spot.

Rounding out the 'Cats pitching staff is freshman Tiffany Ross (Medford, Ore./Phoenix) and junior Kari Koller (Rocklin, Calif./Del Oro). According to DiBernardi, Ross is a "big, strong girl, and the type of fall season she had suggests she can make a quick adjustment to college softball." Ross will be counted on for significant innings this spring.

Koller has always been an option for DiBernardi, but in recent years she has not been needed. She will most likely be called upon this year for big innings, and her solid reputation suggests that she can get the job done.

"We play a lot of games, and it is going to take some creative coaching to keep our pitchers healthy and our opposing batters off balance," said DiBernardi.

CATCHER

DiBernardi readily admits that the departure of Romano represents a significant loss. She will have to replace what she considers, "the best defensive catcher in Villanova history."

Two Wildcats will battle for time this season at catcher, although both are expected to contribute. Freshman Cassandra Koenig (Las Vegas, Nev./Silverado) should make an immediate impact on the program. She is known for an extremely strong arm behind the plate, and just completed a tremendous fall. Junior Veronica Alvarez (Miami, Fla./Carrollton) is a strong offensive player, coming off a season that saw her hit .283 in limited time. She will split the catching duties with Koenig. Sarah Wall can also catch if needed.

INFIELD

The Villanova infield will be one of the team's strengths this season. The newcomer who figures to make the biggest impact is Sheri Donley (Orange, Calif./Villa Park), who will start in the middle infield.

DiBernardi speaks highly of Donley, saying, "She is just an awesome infielder. She has good range and a strong arm. Offensively, she has an incredible eye and possesses good speed."

With Donley in the middle infield, senior sensation Ricci Lugo (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) can either continue to play short stop or move back to second base, where she played her first season on the Main Line. Lugo is coming off another outstanding season that saw her post team-highs in batting average (.404), hits (65), doubles (13) and triples (tied, 3). Says DiBernardi, "Ricci is a tremendous athlete who possesses speed, power and an in-depth knowledge of the game both offensively and defensively. I look for her to spark our offense and to be a leader in our infield."

The 'Cats can count on junior Kristen Yauch (Tucson, Ariz./St. Gregory College Prep) to fill in at second base if necessary. Yauch, who is coming off knee surgery, hit .270 a year ago, and is a great source of speed for the Wildcats.

Senior Andrea Brown (Las Flores, Calif./Cypress) and sophomore Kristin Leese (Whitehall, Pa./Central Catholic) are also available in the middle infield. Both have contributed off the bench in key roles as pinch-hitters and runners.

The Wildcats are also strong on the corners. Koller will start at first base, and when she pitches, senior Kristen Strait (Ashland, Ore./Ashland) will see time at first. Koller is outstanding defensively, especially in terms of footwork. She is considered a strong leader in the infield, and has become a serious threat at the plate. She hit .307 last season and led the team with seven home runs.

Junior Sarah Wall (Hollywood, Fla./American Heritage) is back at third base and she is the perfect fit for the hot corner, possessing a quick release and good reaction time. Last season she came through in the clutch, tallying 22 RBI. Strait is the 'Cats primary backup at third in addition to first.

OUTFIELD

If there is one certainty for the upcoming season, it is that the Villanova outfield will have no problems communicating.

Leftfielder Robin Flier (Lafayette, Calif./Acalanes) and centerfielder Lisa Krueger (Mission Viejo, Calif./Aliso Niguel) are in their fourth year playing together in the outfield. Flier will once again fill the role of slapper, finding ways to get on base at the top of the 'Nova lineup. Flier was the only player to start every game for the 'Cats a year ago, and hit .324 in the process with a team-best nine stolen bases.

"Robin is a leader by example," states DiBernardi. "Robin is at her best in tough situations. When we are down by a run we can count on Robin to get on base. She has worked hard at becoming a complete player with both her slapping and hitting abilities. She keeps the defense guessing and creates havoc when she is at the plate with her ability to finesse her slaps and her quickness on the base paths."

According to DiBernardi, Krueger "owns the outfield." She covers ground in center and last year had her best season offensively. Krueger hit .316 with six homeruns and 35 RBI's.

"Lisa has a great eye at the plate," says DiBernardi. "She is an excellent contact hitter who hits for power to all fields. Lisa seldom strikes out - we can always count on her to put the ball in play and advance runners. She is also great at executing the hit and run."

Allison Wisniewski will be the everyday rightfielder. Wisnieweski broke out last season, securing a starting position early on and finishing the year at .269.

Says DiBernardi, "Allison is never satisfied, she is always working to get better and faster."

Yauch and freshman Lindsey Martin (Sammamish, Wash./Eastlake) will provide depth in the Wildcat outfield. Koenig can also be used if needed.

SCHEDULE

The biggest change followers of the Wildcats will find is in the schedule. DiBernardi will once again play a strong schedule, but this year it starts earlier than ever with three tournaments.

Villanova will participate in the Sonic Challenge in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Feb. 20-22, the Hyatt Regency Cougar Classic in Houston, Tex. on Feb. 27-29 and the Speedline Classic at the University of South Florida on March 4-7.

Villanova's entire schedule features teams with solid RPI rankings, and combining that with the always grueling Big East slate means the 'Cats will face several tough challenges.

"Every year the competition we face nationally gets stronger and stronger," said DiBernardi. "By putting together a difficult schedule this year, we are drawing ourselves closer to our goal of making the NCAA Tournament. We are very confident going into this year. The Big East is up for grabs, and we consider ourselves one of the main contenders."