40 @MEACSPORTS MEACSPORTS UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE Maryland Eastern Shore 2015-16 Season Preview The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women’s basketball team anticipates 11 returners, consisting of five seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, and a redshirt sophomore. This season, Maryland Eastern Shore has five student-athletes competing in their final season: TeAmber Burk; Taryana Kelly; Chalyse Taylor; Taylor Thompson; and Alexis Udoji. Burke came off the bench as the team’s primary sixth man and played all 27 games in a reserve role. Kelly, a low-post defender and solid rebounder for UMES, played all 31 games with 30 starts. Taylor played 22 games and came off the bench for the Lady Hawks. Thompson saw limited action for the Lady Hawks, taking part in all 20 games in a reserve role. Udoji was the anchor on the defensive end for the Lady Hawks as she was named 2014-15 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. She was ranked among the top shot blockers in the nation, finishing in the top 50. Other notable awards Udoji earned a year ago include 2014-15 All-MEAC Team, 2014-15 All-MEAC Preseason Team, and MEAC Co-Player of the Week. UMES brings back two true juniors and a red-shirt sophomore on the roster: Briana Mack; Mariah McCoy; and Moengaroa Subritzky. Mack saw limited action for UMES, playing all 12 games in a reserve role. McCoy served as a primary reserve in her second season as she competed in 27 games with three starts. She finished third on the team in made 3-pointers (24) and received top recognition at the MEAC Basketball Tournament by winning the top 3-pointer shooter sponsored by the Marines. Subritzky was an all-round player for the Lady Hawks, starting all 31 games. She was named the team’s Rookie of the Year and finished her rookie campaign leading the squad in 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Subritzky, a member of the 2014-15 All-Rookie Team, was named MEAC Rookie of the Week three times and MEAC Defensive Player of the Week once. UMES has two sophomores going into this season: Shauntesha Bryant and Alexus Hicks. Bryant played well in limited action for the Lady Hawks, competing in 24 games with seven starts. Hicks was a key contributor in her first season as she was named the squad’s Most Improved Player. She took part in 26 contests with six starts and finished third on the team in 3-point percentage. The squad announced the signing of five new recruits for the upcoming season: Tantania Brown; Ciani Byrom; Keyera Eaton; and Ra’Jean Martin; and Tori Morris. UMES saw Jessica Long and Shawnee Sweeney compete in their final collegiate game versus Savannah State in the MEAC Finals. In their four seasons, they won 43 contests, including 24 MEAC games, guided the program to its first-ever MEAC Finals appearance. Long led the squad in several categories while earning multiple honors, such as 2014-15 College Sports Madness Preseason All-Conference, 2014-15 All-MEAC Team, and MEAC Player of the Week. Nationally, the Maryland-native ranked among the steals leaders in the country as she finished in top 50. In her collegiate career, Long climbed into the program’s record book as she finish tied for sixth in steals (176), fifth in assists (288), and third in free throws made (366). Furthermore, Long finished 10th on the all-time scoring list with 985 points. For Sweeney, she played 31 contests with 29 starts and led the squad in three-pointers made (51). On Feb. 7, 2015, Sweeney became the all-time three-point scoring leader in the program’s history, surpassing Toni Kennedy (2005-06). The Virginia-product ended her four-year career as one the great shooters in the program’s history with 179 made long balls. In four seasons, she played in 107 games with 73 starts while producing 815 points, 296 rebounds, 88 assists and 64 steals. Other notable players not returning is Gabriella Odom. Last season, the Lady Hawks went 14-17 overall (8-8 MEAC) and reached the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title game for the first time in the program’s history. UMES Team Information 2014-15 Overall 14-17 2014-15 MEAC Record 8-8 2014-15 MEAC Finish 8th Letterwinners Returning/Lost 10/3 Starter Returning/Lost 3/2 Newcomers 5 #20 Alexis Udoji F – 6-4, r-Jr. Randolph, Mass.
2015-16 MEAC Women's Basketball Yearbook
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