INDIANAPOLIS – Another sport making its Great Midwest Athletic Conference debut for Malone University is in order as the women’s basketball program looks to make its presence felt in year one.
Like other sports breaking into the league, the Pioneers know they have to prove themselves in the G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll presented by Under Armour and Malone checks into the 2016-17 year at No. 6.
The Pioneers have already made their mark in cross country with the G-MAC Runner and Freshman of the Year on the men’s side plus an additional four all-conference women’s members.
Three of the starting five return for the Pioneers under the leadership of Rick Tice, who will be starting his first year as head coach after being an assistant with the program for the past five years.
“We have to play with a lot of toughness,” Tice said. “We have to do those little things whether it’s rebounds or loose balls or deflections; we just have to be very gritty and play with a mental toughness. It’s all going to start with defense. If we can defend, that will give us an opportunity to win.”
Malone finished its final year in the GLIAC with a 9-18 record, but the guard tandem of senior Rachel Goddard and sophomore Chrissie Vaughan is a great place to start with a veteran core. Another senior guard, Alaina Schwarz, started in 12 of the 18 games she appeared in.
Goddard and Vaughan established themselves as double-digit scorers in 2015-16, a trend they hope will translate in to their new conference home.
“We have a big group of freshmen and a lot of returners and a lot of talent and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen,” Goddard said. “The move (to a new conference) is going to be a good opportunity for us and really competitive. I watched Ashland and Ursuline battle in the (NCAA) tournament.”
Goddard, a two-time All-GLIAC selection, averaged 14 points per game as a junior and ranked third in the GLIAC in assists, including 13 dished against Ashland.
Vaughan averaged over 10 points per game and launched 62 made three-point field goals. She also finished as the team leader in steals and was second in assists.
The Pioneers’ roster is extensive with a host of freshmen listed. Depth shouldn’t be an issue as Malone heads into this season with a class of six seniors. One area Malone may have an advantage in is that current G-MAC opponents might not have an exact scouting blueprint on their Pioneers' system yet.
Malone defeated its lone G-MAC opponent faced in 2015-16, beating Ohio Valley by 21 points on Dec. 19.