July 20, 1999

The Lafayette College women's basketball team has been picked in a Patriot League poll of both coaches and sports information directors to finish sixth in the conference. Despite that, head coach Pat Fisher feels confident her team can exceed expectations.

"That doesn't come unexpectedly. That's a good spot for us to be in," said Fisher. "We are a young team with six freshmen coming in." The veteran coach is not without optimism, maintaining that this is a squad building for the future.

As for the present, Fisher feels that her team is strong at the point, as well as down low. With the point guard tandem of senior Sara Harris (Olyphant, PA/Bishop O'Hara) and junior Samaiyah Council (Anchorage, AK/Dimond), the team has experienced ballhandlers to dish out assists.

On the receiving end of those passes should be last season's Patriot League All-Rookie team member Christina LiVecchi (Haddonfield, NJ/HaddonTownship) and freshman sensation Jennifer Bayer (Lowell, IN/Lowell), both 6-1 centers.

"With LiVecchi and Bayer, we'll have a solid inside game," said Fisher. "It's just a matter of seeing if our shooters can step up."

Looking to replace the void left by April Shippee and Tiffany Bedics at shooting guard are freshmen Jennifer Corvigno (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks West) and Elizabeth McKeon (Westfield, NJ/Westfield). That will be quite a challenge, as they must replace nearly 18 points per contest that the departing seniors contributed to last season's squad.

Fisher, however, remains confident. "If the freshmen can do well, I think we can contend. Possibly even finish in top four in the conference."