Season preview: Carmel

Carmel Catholic

Coach: Kelly Perz (second season)

Last season: 16-12, 4-5 ESCC

Key losses: G Erin Quinn (Carthage College), C Beth Scudder

Returning players: Sr. G Jackie Meier, Sr. F Sarah McHugh, Sr. G Madeline Felipez, Sr. F Mary McGrail, Sr. F Kaitlyn Lynch, Jr. C Kayla Quinn, Jr. F Claire Ogrinc

Newcomers: So. G Kathleen Felicelli, So. G/F Cassidy Kloss, So. G Nicole Bitter, So. F/G Leah Lach, So. G Paige Gauthier, Jr. F Holly Sprow, Jr. F Blaze Pullman, Jr. G Mariana Kolomayets

Season opener: Grant at Mundelein Thanksgiving tournament, 4:30 p.m. Monday

Outlook: The Corsairs have numbers — and height. “We don’t have any 6-3 kids or anything, but we’ve got five or six that are 5-10 and up,” coach Kelly Perz said. The Corsairs boast plenty of experience and athleticism, too. Perz returns a veteran squad that includes guards Jackie Meier and Madeline Felipez, guard/forward Kaitlyn Lynch, wing Claire Ogrinc and posts Sarah McHugh and Mary McGrail. Felipez takes over at point guard. Perz is carrying 15 players, including sophomores Kathleen Felicelli, Cassidy Kloss, Nicole Bitter, Leah Lach and Paige Gauthier. “Our sophomore class is really good,” Perz said. “I really feel they can contribute right away.” Felicelli has already established herself at Carmel as a varsity athlete in softball and tennis. Kloss has had several siblings go through Carmel. Meier, Felipez, McHugh and Lynch have all been up on varsity the last couple of years. McHugh was the Corsairs’ lone all-East Suburban Catholic selection last season. “We’re really athletic,” Perz said. “ We’re much faster than we were last year.”