This year’s squad will be led by a group of seniors, many who have been starters for the past three seasons or have seen significant playing time over their careers. Leading that group will be 6-0 forward Katie Lintner who was named to the WVIAC First Team. Katie averaged 15.4 points (9th in WVIAC) and 9.4 rebounds (2nd in WVIAC) per game. Lintner recorded 13 double doubles and was fourth in the WVIAC in free throw percentage at 83%. Another leader of the group will be 5-10 guard Erika Haitz. Haitz started 25 games last season, averaging 7.2 points per game. Erika is a strong defender who is called upon to play the opponents best offensive player each and every game. Over the team’s final 17 games, Haitz averaged over 11 points per game. She will look to continue her great play as the Griffins begin this season. All WVIAC Honorable Mention, 5-6 point guard Orit Farchi will return to run the Griffin offense. Farchi averaged 7 points per game. Orit was fourth in the WVIAC with 132 assists and led the WVIAC with a 2.03 assist to turnover ratio. Another senior, Jenna Petrini will see plenty of playing time for the Griffins. Petrini averaged 3.4 points per game as a junior and will be looked upon to give the Griffins a three point shooting option. Laura McCarthy rounds out the senior class. McCarthy played in 6 games and pulled down 6 rebounds.

The Griffins also return a solid junior class that saw a lot of playing time play last season. 5-10 forward Jordan Burkes leads the experienced junior class. Jordan, who was named to the ALL WVIAC Second Team, averaged 11.5 points (25th in WVIAC) and 4.5 rebounds per game. Burkes shot 74% from the free throw line which was 14th best in the conference. Other sophomores returning include Ryenn Micaletti, Jill Emberg, Joya Whittington and Laura Hambruch. Whittington, who became a starter during the season, averaged 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Micaletti will back up Farchi at the point position. Ryenn played in 27 games last season and added 26 assists and 9 steals. Emberg and Hambruch will be looked upon to give the Griffin front line depth. Jill scored 4.8 points per game and added 69 rebounds, playing in all 29 games. Laura averaged 1.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Rounding out the returnees are two sophomores who saw significant playing time as freshmen. Forward Lindsy Muchnock was the third leading scorer for the Griffins last season. She averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Lindsy played in all 29 games, starting 3 and added 21 steals and 20 blocked shots. Anne Marie Olesky played in 28 of the 29 games last season. She scored 4.1 points per game and added 33 assists and 28 steals.

This year’s freshman class includes three true freshman and one red shirt freshman. Jaleesa Beverly returns for her second season with the program. Beverly is a forward from Youngstown Ursuline High School. The three newcomers include guard Clare Berenato from Pittsburgh, PA and Oakland Catholic, Joelle Hill from New York, NY and Katherine Ziemke from Germantown, MD.

The schedule this season includes 22 conference games and some tough nonconference games highlighted by a home matchup with preseason #5 California (PA) on December 30th. The highlight of the Griffins preseason schedule will be a trip to the Petersen Events Center where they will take on the Pitt Panthers on November 10th. The Griffins open up the season on November 18th when they travel to Slippery Rock. SHU will open up WVIAC play on the road at Ohio Valley on November 24th. Seton Hill will host its first WVIAC game on December 1st when Salem International comes to Greensburg. The Griffins close out the regular season at Fairmont State on February 27th. The WVIAC playoffs begin the following Monday.