Season preview: Libertyville

Posted November 10, 2011 10:00 pm

By Joe Aguilar

Libertyville

Coach: Kathie Swanson (sixth season)

Last season: 29-1, 12-0 NSC Lake

Key losses: G Savannah Trees (DePauw University), F Kaca Savatic, G Valerie Van Roeyen (Augustana University), F Olivia Wilcox

Returning players: Sr. G Alex Haley, Sr. C Nicole Kruckman, Sr. F Kerry Risley, Sr. G Eileen Knauff, Sr. G Molly Moon, Jr. PG Olivia Mayer

Newcomers: Jr. F Haley Hoeksel, Jr. G Dana Kym, Jr. F Margaret Haws, So. PG Rosie Lynch

Season outlook: Grayslake Central at Buffalo Grove, 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Outlook: The Wildcats didn't lose last season until the sectional semifinals, when Zion-Benton beat them in the teams' fourth meeting. Gone are four key members, including guard Savannah Trees (13.8 points), 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals), who was the captain of the Lake County all-area team. Two other all-area picks, defensive stopper Kaca Savatic and rock-solid guard Olivia Wilcox, also graduated. Back are senior guard Alex Haley and 6-foot center Nicole Kruckman. "I think a lot of people look at us as though we lost a lot and we did," coach Kathie Swanson said. "We lost a lot of talent. We lost experience. But I think we have a really hardworking group. I've been really happy with what they've been doing in practice." Haley was an all-conference and all-area pick as a sophomore, but saw her offensive numbers dip last season. She could be ready for a bounce-back season, especially after accepting a scholarship from Division II Minot State University (N.D.). "I'm thinking that since she's got that out of the way, hopefully she realizes this is her senior year, the pressure should be off a little bit, and let's just have some fun and play up to her capability," Swanson said. "I think she can do that. We're expecting big things from her this year." Another senior guard, Eileen Knauff, saw her minutes increase toward the end of last season. Senior forward Kerry Risley played regularly off the bench last season and is coming off an all-area season in volleyball. Junior Olivia Mayer was called up last January. "I think that these girls know what it takes to be winners," Swanson said of her Wildcats, who are the reigning two-time defending NSC champs. "I think we're going to be competitive. I think it would be wrong to look past us."

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