Women’s Basketball Returns to the Liberty Arena Nov. 9
After losing in the ASUN championship game last season and losing the team’s two top scorers, the Lady Flames women’s basketball program is confident in its depth and chemistry to achieve its goal of winning the ASUN championship.
Head Coach Carey Green had no shortage of players to list when asked about potential key contributors for this season. Returning players redshirt sophomore Bella Smuda and redshirt senior Mya Berkman also talked about the team chemistry being a key to this season.
“I feel like last year was a little bit more focused on a few players, but this year, I feel like anyone on the team can score,” Berkman said. “I have so much faith in every single teammate who’s out on the court, that they’re able to produce offensively and defensively.”
According to Smuda, the team has bonded over its desire to win.
“I think our team chemistry this year is great. Everyone is really driven,” Smuda said. “Everyone kind of has the same goal to win the championship after losing last year, so I think that’s something that’s really bonded us. It’s just that overall, everyone has the same drive to win.”
When it comes to skills on the court, the Lady Flames have the talent necessary to win. Ball movement, passing and shooting are all team strengths according to Green.
After giving up 84 points in its final game last season, the team’s focus has been on improving its defensive effort.
“We have to concentrate on our defense and anticipate better and finish plays on the defensive end and give relentless effort,” Green said. “That’s either with a steal or definitely with a defensive rebound. That is an area we need to work on right now.”
The season’s schedule will feature many key games, but there are two matchups in particular that stand out.
The Lady Flames will face Florida Gulf Coast, who are the defending ASUN champions. FGCU defeated Liberty in all its meetings last season, and if the Lady Flames are going to take a step forward, they will need to beat FGCU.
“FGCU is the team that beat us last year in the championship. That’s a big one. We really want to beat them,” Smuda said. “I don’t think we’ve ever beat them, so we really want to beat them this year.”
Another highly anticipated game is against Power Five team Virginia Tech. The Hokies will travel to Lynchburg Dec. 7, and the Lady Flames will look to take advantage of the opportunity to notch a statement win.
Liberty will open the season Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. against Belmont Abbey at Liberty Arena. It will be the first time the Lady Flames have played in the arena without capacity restrictions.
Harper is a sports reporter. Follow him on Twitter.