Lady Cadets are ready!

The Norwich women's basketball team starts the season with its first home game against Plattsburgh State College on Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

According to Head Coach Mark Zacher, the Lady Cadets have been practicing very well since the season started.

"I was very excited and happy with the girls and their performances on the court for the very first time," Zacher said. "I was very pleased with how quick the girls picked up on the new changes and we are moving at a faster pace than we did in past seasons."

"This was the best first practice I think the team has ever seen," said Kristine Brammer, a 20-year-old from Littleton, N.H., majoring in elementary education/ psychology. "We've broken team records with shooting drills and we came in the first day with a go-win attitude."

"I felt my team has been in the best shape they have been in the past seasons," Zacher said, "and I felt that the off-season training with Coach Kruger paid off."

The women's basketball team set a very high standard for the first practice and will continue to do so as the season progress.

The team competed and worked hard all summer with strengthening coach Jeff Kruger in the weight room and players say they are ready to show their improvements, according to Brammer.

"We did a lot of suicide running from line to line and work on defense of footwork," said Katrina Laidlaw, an 18-year-old from Bunelane, Scotland, majoring in political science/international studies. "Also as a team we improved a lot in weight lifting and we've gotten a lot faster."

"Our team is looking good and healthy heading into the season," said Jessalyn Sweeney, a 21-year-old from Stanfordville, N.Y., majoring physical education. "And we're really starting to look sharp and our speed on the court and chemistry is starting to come together."

The Cadets say they hope the hard work leads to their being one of the top teams in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and qualifying for a playoff bid.

"With lots of hard work and dedication we look to bring home a championship," said Kristine Brammer.

"We have been working extremely hard in practice and we are looking forward to competing," Zacher said. "We have progressed and are looking forward to put our skills to the test."

The Lady Cadets have set goals and expectations for the 2011-2012 seasons.

"This year we will face the number one team in the Division III, and coming away with a victory in that game is very well expected of us," Sweeney said. "Being number one in our conference and beating our rival Emanuel College is also something we strive to do every year."

The Lady Cadets are missing a big piece of their rebounding game since graduating seniors Kristine Daniels, who averaged 14.6 rebounds a game, and Laurel McWilliams, who averaged 10.5 rebounds a game.

"I believe I can help my team in the rebounding but obviously I cannot produce the performance the seniors did, but with the help of my team and coach I will help dramatically," said Laidlaw.

"Boxing out for the rebounds and putting yourself into position to make the rebound will help you," said Erin Clark, a 19-year-old from Bradford, Vt., majoring in biology. "Usually we do a four-man box-out drill and transition into offense."

"We believe to become successful we will need to be more vocal and just want to work hard every day," said Clark. "Team chemistry is also an important factor."

As the season goes on the women will look for new things to improve on and continue to progress, according to Zacher.