2021-22 Susquehanna Women's Basketball Roster
2021-22 Susquehanna Women's Basketball Schedule

SELINSGROVE, PA (November 2, 2021) – The Susquehanna University women's basketball team has been in the gym for about three weeks in preparation for Friday evening's 2021-22 season opener against Johns Hopkins University at 7 p.m. in O.W. Houts Gymnasium.

But in the larger picture the team has been preparing for this upcoming season for nearly 16 months as the squad, like so many others, had last year's campaign scrapped due to CoVID-19. A gut punch to many, but even more to a squad that had the ninth-best improvement in Division III in terms of wins from 2018-19 to 2019-20. Last year was the next step in a program that is on the upswing, but sadly, that step was made a little bit steeper.

The good thing though was that the squad was able to stay together and grow, thanks to a great culture cultivated by one of the great up-and-coming coaches in collegiate women's hoops Gabby Holko. The team was able to practice three times a week during the cancelled season, allowing for growth on the floor and away from it.

"We were able to hammer home the fundamental side of things last year, but this year our energy has been top notch since the start," said Holko. "We really came into the gym ready to work, they know what the goal is…we're really in the mindset of we need to be able to be a top four team in the Landmark."

When asked about the culture, Holko was quick to mention her leadership group and how important it has been to grind through this unprecedented time. "We have seven seniors and they have taken the underclassmen under their wings and are making sure they know what this team is about. We hold each other accountable but also have fun while we're doing it."

That attitude is apparent for everyone else as well around the program. "Finally getting the chance to be back on the court with the team and the coaching staff has been really exciting for all of us," said senior guard Amanda Lemire. "Having our season taken away last year has brought about a new sense of gratitude and fire to get back to doing what we all love and that is why the beginning of this season has been the most enjoyable one out of the four years I have been at Susquehanna."

When asked what changed over the last few seasons, Holko mentioned that the teams here at SU have always been talented but just needed that extra "kick" to get them going. "It was a style change; we love to get out and run and play off our defense. That change has benefited our group and being able to come into things with the extra motivation."

The exciting thing for teams is that when you're bought into something and succeeding, it feels like there's one goal, one heartbeat to everything that a squad does. This year's mantra "Run as One" mixes both the importance of being together with their stylistic goal of getting up and down the court.

"We worked with Edge Leadership Academy and dove down deep into our mission and values. We are a family, good and bad, they want to be as one always communicating. This doesn't happen overnight; we always work on our culture every day. It's the most important thing we have going for us."

Senior Olivia Brandt also talked about the missed year, and what it feels like to be back in the gym. "The energy has been high yet focused in preseason," said Brandt. "We are committed to getting better together even on our bad days and it shows. I feel so grateful to be back after a year layoff and each day I get to play basketball feels a little more special since the season got stripped away from us last year."

Talking to the players and coaching staff, it's obvious that the passion to progress to the point of being in the top of the Landmark Conference is fervent and unrelenting. "It's been several years since we made playoffs but I think this year our team has so much talent and we've been putting in a lot of hard work to lead us to our long term goal of being a playoff team" said senior guard Erin McQuillen. "We have also set goals to be positive and to display a next-play mentality, especially when we are hit with adversity."

Adversity will come over a long, 25-game season, but it's evident that there's no group that Holko would rather run with than this one. A full positional breakdown is below:

GUARDS
The Susquehanna squad has a ton of depth in the backcourt this season, both with and without experience. When looking at the returning leading scorers from 2019-20, the four of the top five come from either lead guards or wing players that are back this season. That perimeter scoring is key late in games and the way that the team forces tempo in transition.

Fortunately, the experience starts with fifth-year player and returning leading scorer Erin McQuillen. The Cresskill, NJ native is one of the best scoring guards in the Landmark Conference, averaging 13.8 points per game but connecting on 47.1 percent from three-land. That ability to fire from three opens so much in the paint, and forces hard closes outs which allows McQuillen to attack the bucket. She also averages almost six boards a game, as she returns from an All-Landmark Second Team season as a junior.

Amanda Lemire returns after starting nine of the 12 games she played as a sophomore, drilling 42.4 percent from downtown. Her confidence with the ball and ability to make plays for herself and others will be key for SU this year. Though more of a wing, senior Amalia Esposito comes back after a strong season in 2019-20, as she shot a team-best 47.1 percent from the floor, while getting to the free throw line 117 times. She also led the team in rebounding per game and will be leaned on again to end possessions on the glass.

The slew of shooters that the River Hawks have this year doesn't stop though, as SU returns another gunner in the form of Sadie Comfort. Playing just under 18 minutes per game a season ago, Comfort still made 42 trifectas, second-most on the team. Look for her to continue to raid teams from deep this year, while grabbing a larger role.

Kaitlyn Lynch is a hard-working guard that has also taken a huge step forward for Susquehanna, as the Andover, NJ native played in 22 games as a first-year in 2019-20. Lynch is great in transition and brings an inside-outside game.

First-years Kate Hildebrandt and Kenzie Selvaggi have each settled in as well for the River Hawks, as both can handle the ball well, score the basketball and defend on-ball extremely well. Junior Victoria Clarke is finally looking to get onto the floor after missing her first season due to injury bringing an attacking style offensively.

Sophomore Sydney Schmus played a post player in high school but has transitioned to the back court and will look to provide minutes as a solid shooter. Senior Megan Emlet is another fantastic defender and always has her hands in passing lanes while excelling in transition. Sophomore Madison Miller also has experience as a lead guard and brings a high basketball IQ to the point guard position.

FORWARDS
The front court will be key this season to the success of the squad, and both Olivia Brandt and Esposito will play some front-court minutes along with a variety of strong veterans and exciting newcomers. Brandt started all 25 games as a sophomore, one of just three players on the team that season to do so. A tough and physical leader for the River Hawks, Brandt led that team in blocks and does all the little things to help teams win.

The coaching staff is also excited about junior Isabella Schwabe, a 6-2 junior from Marian Catholic High School. Schwabe works well with the perimeter screen and roll game, and also learned a lot as a first-year as she got into 16 games as a reserve. One of the most coachable players on the squad, Schwabe should be among the team's leaders in rebounding as well.

First-year Olivia Ciullo had a nice prep career at Old Forge High School, and is a tough, physical player that is always around the ball. A strong mid-range player, look for Ciullo to give the River Hawks strong minutes. Another NEPA product, Alicia Goldenziel, is a strong post defender and has also looked very strong in the preseason thus far.

Fellow first-year Grace Meehan has moved from guard to forward and has accepted the role well, as her ability to step away from the rim and make shots will allow cutting lanes for herself and others. Another newcomer, Bri Dorsey, is a traditional center and rebounds well both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

COACHING STAFF
This season will be the second year of that Holko has had the ability to lead her team onto the floor, and third in charge of the program after missing last year's season. She is assisted by Schyler Fennimore, a 2018 graduate of Muskingum University, who also helped lead Bethany University to a pair of PAC Tournament appearances. Jordan Rickert, who coached high school in the area in recent years, also will be assisting Holko this season.