
The Waynesburg University women’s basketball season started with a 67-51 loss to Grove City College last night in the team’s first game in almost a year. Two key players from last season, junior center Brooke Fuller and junior guard Kacey Kastroll did not play.
The Lady Jackets nine player roster was down to just seven, but not everything was negative.
“For having not played in a year, and having half the roster play their first college game, I thought we had a really really good showing and was super pleased with our effort,” said coach Sam Jones.
The feeling of positivity is evident for Waynesburg, who have just two seniors on the team this season.
Waynesburg started the game with a 4-0 lead in the opening minutes, but Grove City proceeded to go on a 14 point run and never trailed again. The first quarter was close and ended with a 14-10 Grove City lead.
The second quarter was highlighted by Grove City’s senior guard Jess Bowen, who recorded her 1,000th point, leading her Wolverines to a commanding 31-17 lead at halftime. Waynesburg outscored Grove City 13-11 in the third, but then allowed 25 points in the fourth quarter falling 67-51 to the defending PAC women’s basketball champions.
Bowen ended the night with a team leading 14 points for Grove City. The Wolverines were also led by two double-doubles from junior forward Allison Podkul, with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman forward Kat Goetz, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Waynesburg’s offense was led by senior guard Andrea Orlosky, who scored a team high 18 points.
The 2020-2021 season is different from previous ones with each Presidents’ Athletic Conference team playing just nine regular season games.
“Our mindset is we play every game like it’s our last because there is a very good chance that it might happen,” Orlosky said. “The mindset is to leave it all on the court.”
There were more positives from two players in their first collegiate game. Junior forward Abigail Green logged a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and freshman guard Marley Wolf recorded 11 points off the bench.
The Lady Jackets return to the court this saturday Feb. 6, in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania against the Westminster Titans at 1:30 p.m.
The positive outlook for the season will be the focus for coach Jones and the Jackets.
“I’m excited about us moving forward,” Jones said. “I saw a lot of potential and hope.”