Philadelphia, Pa. – (11/9/2018) – After making it to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Basketball Quarterfinals for a third consecutive year, setting six program single-season highs, and producing a third straight CACC Rookie of the Year, expectations are even higher for Chestnut Hill College in 2018-2019. "We recognize that we have to win a playoff game before we can win a CACC Championship," admits Coach West. "But regardless, it is going to be an exciting year for this group. We have a great work ethic, our captains are some of the best student-athletes I have ever worked with, and we are deep; we need to be, our high-pace style of play requires everyone to contribute."
 
In 2017-2018, the high-scoring Griffins won six games in a row between December 19 and January 16 and went 7-3 in their last 10 games, while setting program singles-season highs in points (2,198), field goals made (731), field goals attempted (1,848), free throw percentage (.758), three pointers made (228), and three pointers attempted (677). Individually, sophomore guard Cassie Sebold (Willow Grove, Pa.) was the Scarlet and Gold's third straight CACC Rookie of the Year, while senior forward Jaeda Wildgoose (Somerset, N.J.) returned to All-CACC form, garnering First Team status with 15.6 points-per-game (PPG) and 8.3 rebounds-per-game (RPG). Sebold totaled 282 points (10.8/game), 88 rebounds (3.4/game), 82 assists (3.2/game), three blocks, and 21 steals in her freshman campaign. Meanwhile, Wildgoose recorded 33 assists, 23 blocks, and 22 steals in addition to setting all-time, single-season marks in offensive rebounds (101) and field goals made (171) and ranking among the CACC top-10 in rebounds (9th, 242), free throw percentage (8th, .821), PPG (6th, 15.6), RPG (5th, 8.3), points (5th, 452), field goals made (3rd, 171), free throws made (3rd, 110), and field goal percentage – which she was the league leader for with a .543 (171-of-315) success rate.
 
Also returning from the 2017-2018 starting lineup are captains, junior forward Shannon Glenn (Philadelphia, Pa.) and senior guard Mary Trossi (Somerset, N.J.). Glenn played a significant role in the Griffins' 2017-2018 success as she averaged 12.2 PPG and 5.6 RPG in addition to 57 assists (2.0/game), nine blocks, and 32 steals. Meanwhile, Trossi continued to be the pace setter for the Griffins with 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.8 assists-per-game (APG), a block, and 38 steals. Collectively, the group will have to make up for the loss of Vicky Tumasz '18, who served as the team's leading scorer (16.7 PPG) en route to All-CACC Second Team honors.

Help will come from a strong supporting cast that includes senior forward Mary Bode (Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria), sophomore guard Angela Faraglia (Clifton Heights, Pa.), sophomore guard Kaitlin Dougherty (Philadelphia, Pa.), and an extremely deep recruiting class. The new faces for 2018-2019 include graduate guard Brianna Cullen (Lansdale, Pa.) and seven freshmen; guard Lauren Crim (Warrington, Pa.), guard Abby Gaffney (Reading, Pa.), forward Bri Hewlett (North Wales, Pa.), forward Leah Miller (Punxsutawney, Pa.), guard Morgan Orloski (Bethlehem, Pa.) forward Caela Russell (Bensalem, Pa.), and guard Abbey Spratt (Doylestown, Pa.).
 
Each newcomer will have their chance to impact the season. Cullen offers a ton of experience, athleticism, toughness, and team-first spirit to the program. As a graduate student (Widener University), her maturity provides some perspective to a young team. Several of the freshmen have caught Coach West's eye, especially Crim, "She will start and make an immediate impact. She is a great scorer from the guard position, her athletic ability will allow her to succeed on multiple levels, and above all she is a great leader." Continuing on, Gaffney has a great presence on the court, makes good decisions, and has the ability to direct the floor. Hewlett is a versatile forward with a high basketball IQ. She can do a lot of good on the floor with a presence around the basket and the ability to step out on the perimeter as well. Miller's athleticism and versatility really stands out with her six-foot frame. She will definitely provide depth in the post as a 1,000-point scorer and 1,000-rebounder from Punxsutawney Area High School. Orloski is a natural scorer, whose ability to get to the basket will get her plenty of minutes, while Russell physicality and toughness will only bolster the Griffins' defensive efforts. A tremendous athlete, Spratt will be another valuable asset to Coach West, "She is energetic, scrappy, and very competitive, which will help our defense. But she also is effective at getting to the basket and will be a great fit with our pace of play."
 
Coach West has no doubt that Chestnut Hill College's quest for a CACC Championship starts by contending with every team they play. "We expect to compete with everyone on our schedule, our challenging non-conference schedule should prepare us for another high-competitive season in the CACC." The Griffins' early-season tests begin on Saturday, November 10, when they face Queens College in a 2:00 p.m. contest at Molloy College's East Region Conference Challenge.