Scouting Elk Grove Grenadiers
Elk Grove Grenadiers
Coach Ryan Kirkorsky (second season)
Last year's record 16-12, 5-5
Graduated players Krystina Leazer, Kristy Ottosen
Returning players Maggie Fries (5-7 Jr. G), Dani Goranson (5-11 So, G-F), Olivia Roback (5-5 Sr. G), Leah Miller (5-10 Jr. F-C), Katie Naughton (5-9 So. G), Missy Regan (5-4 Sr. G), Ashley Capotosto (6-0 Sr. F-C), Meaghan Amann (5-9 Sr. F), Margaret Bianchi (5-8 Sr. F)
Newcomers Emily Jarosz (5-5, Jr. G), Michelle Calmeyn (5-6, Jr. G), Kristen Cetkovic (5-8 Jr. F), Kelly Naughton (5-6 Fr. G), Courtney Lindfors (6-4 Sr. C)
Outlook With a pair of future Division I players as posts, and a solid surrounding cast, the Grens appear set to enjoy one of their top seasons this decade. Capotosto is the school's all-time leading female scorer with 1,493 points. "We play in a very competitive MSL East but we feel that we are in a position to challenge for the top spot," said second year coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "Ultimately, we want to get better each day and be prepared for postseason play." Joining Capotosto on the frontline this winter is Lindfors, a transfer who helped lead Driscol to the Class 2A state title last winter. "Obviously our team strength is our interior play with Ashley and Courtney," Kirkorsky said. "But I also believe we have one of the best point guards in the area in Olivia Roback. We have a lot of returning experience with five seniors who will be in the mix to start this year." Regan and Amann are solid players who understand the Grens' system and can make plays. "Our young guards, Katie Naughton and Dani Goranson, really developed last year as freshmen and can be forces on both ends of the floor," Kirkorsky said. Fries is the team's biggest 3-point threat while Kelly Naughton is an explosive freshman guard who is expected to work her way into the rotation. "We feel that we can adapt to many styles of play this year," Kirkorsky added. "Although we have more height than in the past, we still plan to push the ball up the court at every opportunity. All of our post players can run, and we count on our guards to make good decisions. We are a man-to-man defensive team and we like to extend our pressure into the full court." We have been working on some new defenses so that we can give our opponents some different looks this year."