Cardinal, Sczepanski, and Roessler Earn Post Season Awards

The 2007-2008 season was a record setting year for the women's basketball team as they finished with a 14-13 record. Three key players for the team were honored with post season awards. Freshman Cara Sczepanski (Highland Village, TX/Marcus H.S.) was voted as a 1st Team member of the AD3I's All-Independent Team, while senior Shanie Cardinal (Houston, TX/Cypress Falls H.S.) was voted to the 2nd Team of the AD3I's All-Independent Team. Freshman Bethany Roessler (Phoenix, AZ/Xavier College Prep) was voted by her teammates as the most valuable player for the team.

Not only did Cara lead the team in both scoring (16.8) and rebounding (7.4) - but her scoring average of 16.8 ppg was good enough to make her one of the top 75 scorers in NCAA Division III this year. She also finished the season ranked in the top 75 in Division III in field goal percentage.

Shanie was the 2nd leading scorer on the team with 14.7 ppg and led the team in assists (82) and steals (60). She shot 85% from the free throw line this season which placed her 25th on the NCAA DIII list. Shanie ended her career as the 4th leading scorer in Crusader history, along with also ranking 4th in assists, 3rd in steals and 1st in free throw percentage.

Although Bethany only averaged 4 points per game, she contributed to the team's success in many other ways with her all-around ability. Bethany was the team's top defender and was consistently asked to defend the opponent's top guard even when she was outsized. She was also 2nd on the team in assists and was the top rebounding guard.

Senior Day Ends With a 14th Win!

Not only celebrating a 14th win, the Sunday's game was devoted to honoring the three seniors for their achievements and contributions to the UD Women's Basketball Program. Shanie Cardinal, Angel Noble, and Beth Teer were commended for their individual successes in a admirable ceremony before the game. Each senior was recognized for individual records they set and each was presented with flowers and a collection of pictures of their past memories at UD. Defeating UC-Santa Cruz in an overtime score of 77-72, the Lady Crusaders 07-08 team broke the previous record of wins in a total season for UD Women's Basketball. Additionally, the record setting 14th win for the 07-08 team allowed the senior class of 08 to set another record. Beth's, Shanie's, and Angel's senior class of 08 has set the record for most wins from a class in four seasons. Currently, the senior class of 08 has 52 wins and still has two more games to play.

Successful Think Pink Weekend

The color that was on everyone's mind the past weekend was pink. To help promote breast cancer awareness, the UD Women's Basketball team sported hand-made, pink, tie dye shirts. WBCA and the Lady Crusaders recognized breast cancer survivors for their fighting efforts and collected donations to help advance the effort. Thank you to everyone who helped and participated in the "Think Pink" weekend.

Congratulations Shanie on scoring your 1,000th point!

Senior Shanie Cardinal (Houston, TX/Cypress Falls H.S.) became the latest member of the 1,000 point club during Monday's home game against the Millsaps College Majors. The 5'3" guard's crucial layup with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game gave her points 1,000 and 1,001. Cardinal added 2 free throws that sealed the 61-58 Lady Crusader victory and finished the night with 12 points. Cardinal finished the game with 1,003 points in her 4-year career and was tied with Alese McKinstry for 6th place on the University of Dallas scoring list.

2007-2008 Season Preview

EXPECT TO SEE FRESH NEW FACES this year when the University of Dallas opens the 2007-2008 season at the Austin College's Bob Mason Tournament. There are only three returning members from last year's team who will be surrounded by nine incoming freshmen, one junior, and a new head coach.

Coach Jen Fleming embarks on her maiden season after spending the last 3 years as an assistant coach at West Point. When asked about her goals for the upcoming season, Coach Fleming responded, "We are all anxious for the start of the season-but we have a lot of hard work ahead of us to learn how to consistently compete at the collegiate level. I am excited about the talent we have and I think we will have an opportunity to surprise a number of teams. We are a very young team and we will need to continue to gain experience and gel as a team in order to reach our potential this year."

The Lady Crusaders will be led by senior captain Shanie Cardinal (Houston, TX/Cypress Falls H.S). Cardinal has been a key contributor since her freshman year and averaged 11.4 ppg in 30 minutes per game last season. Angel Noble (Houston, TX/Cypress Falls H.S.) and Beth Teer (McKinney, TX/McKinney North H.S.) will also provide valuable leadership and game experience. Junior Chelsea Simonson (Liberty Hill, TX/Liberty Hill H.S.) is the only other upperclassman on the roster. All four upperclassmen will vie for playing time in the backcourt. Joining them are freshmen Ashley Holder (Crawford, TX/Crawford H.S.), Bethany Roessler (Phoenix, AZ/Xavier College Prep), Erika Derks (Slinger, WI/Slinger H.S.), Jesse Allen (Madison, MS/St. Andrew's Episcopal School), and Meghan Frost (Slidell, LA/Northshore H.S.).

Although the frontcourt will be lacking in experienced players, there are a number of freshmen looking to make major impacts. Sharing time in the paint will be Amy King (Magnolia, TX/Magnolia H.S.), Cara Sczepanski (Highland Village, TX/Marcus H.S.), Jordan Cole (Plano, TX/Bishop Lynch H.S.), and Meagan Johnson (Plano, TX/Carrollton Christian Academy).

The University of Dallas women's basketball team tips off its season November 16-17 at Austin College. They will open against Macalaster at 6:00 p.m. on the 16th and follow up with Curry College on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Their first home game will be Monday, November 19th against Sul Ross State University.

Women's Basketball

Jennifer Fleming was hired as the new women's basketball coach in an announcement on June 1. The UD women's cagers have reached double-digit victory totals the past four seasons, but Fleming's coaching experience is answer in taking the program to the next level.

Fleming's most recent stop came as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for DI Army from 2004-2007. During the 2006-07 season she assisted the Army team to school records for the most victories (24) and longest winning streak (12). Prior to her stop at the USMA, she was the assistant head coach (03-04) and assistant coach (02-03) at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Coach Fleming can be reached at jfleming@udallas.edu

Crusader Women's Basketball Program History

Women's basketball at the University of Dallas started in the 2004-05 season behind the leadership of head coach Ray Heipp. Ashley Smith, Janet Gribnitz, Delilah Whisenhunt, Marie Olson, and 2007 graduates Ana Castillo and Kristy Malone are a few of the names that sit atop the UD record books. The up and coming program has reached double digit victory totals the past four seasons.

UD Crusaders Rack up Accolades

D3Hoops.com All Region Team (South)
Ana Castillo (Junior Forward/Dallas, TX)-- Honorable Mention

Independent West Regional Championship All-Tourney Team
Kristy Malone (Junior Guard/Rosenberg, TX)

Association of Division III Independents
Ana Castillo -- Player of the Month (Jan) and POTW (Jan 9-15, 2006)

USCAA Player of the Week
Ana Castillo (Jan 9-15, 2006)

D3Hoops.com Selection to Team of the Week
Ana Castillo (Jan 9-15, 2006)

Colorado College Challenge
Shanie Cardinal (Soph. Guard/Houston, TX) -- MVP
Kristy Malone -- All-Tourney Team
Ana Castillo -- All-Tourney Team

USCAA Academic All-American
Ana Castillo
Kelly Robertson (Junior Guard/Eugene, OR)

USCAA All-American
Kristy Malone -- Honorable Mention

The Association of Division III Independents

The University of Dallas is a charter member of the Association of Division III Indpendents. Please click on the heading below to check out all the latest information.