WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Last year, the William and Mary women's basketball team flashed signs of its potential, as it recorded signature wins over competition from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East.   This season's edition of the Tribe will look to build upon that success as it returns four starters and 11 letterwinners from last year's squad.  With the majority of its scoring and rebounding returning, the College will rely heavily on the leadership of its five-member senior class as it looks to move into the upper echelon of the Colonial Athletic Association in 2012-13.

"It's a really exciting time to be at William and Mary," stated head coach Debbie Taylor. "In my 14 season's here, I've never had five players in a senior class.  These seniors have set the pace in the off-season, leading by example, which has a trickledown effect on the entire team.  We have leadership, experience, depth, and are looking forward to the possibilities that this season may have in store for our program."  

Positional Breakdowns
Guards
In the backcourt, the Tribe replaces graduated point guard Katherine DeHenzel, who ended her career ranking third in school history with 429 assists.  Replacing the Bowie, Md., native will be a challenge, but the College returns three talented and experienced guards, who are versatile, competitive and smart.

Sharp-shooting senior Janine Aldridge enters her final campaign as the College's all-time leader in three-pointers made with 221.  The Massapequa, N.Y., native may see time at the point this season, but her main responsibility will be to score from the shooting guard position.  Defensively, Aldridge is one of the Tribe's best defenders, as she led the Green and Gold with 79 steals last year.  Aldridge looks to build on a successful junior campaign, in which she averaged 13.0 ppg and shattered the single-season school record for 3-pointers made (92).  Highlighting her season was a record-setting performance at Northeastern when she poured in nine 3-pointers.

Dynamic sophomore Anna Kestler is expected to be the Tribe's starting point guard.  As a freshman last year, Kestler's ability to make her teammates better with her passing was evident from the start.

The Pittsburgh, Pa., native finished the year with 24 assists, as her role as the primary backup to DeHenzel expanded through out the season.  Her ability to distribute the basketball can be attributed to her exceptional vision and high basketball IQ.

"Anna had the luxury last season of playing behind fifth-year senior Katherine DeHenzel, and that's a nice way to learn the system," Taylor said.  "Anna is a superior passer, a good transition guard and a tough kid.  As a staff, we are looking forward to Anna leading the team at the point guard position."

Skilled sophomore Kyla Kerstetter brings multiple talents to the table as she can handle, shoot and drive the basketball.  A good mid-range shooter, she splashed on the scene last season, scoring nine points against Cornell in her collegiate debut.  Kerstetter scored a career-high 12 points at Hofstra and ended the season shooting .560 percent from the floor.  This season, her role will expand, as she will share the point guard duties with Kestler.

"Kyla is in the gym everyday, working on and developing her game," commented Taylor.  "She is probably our best mid-range shooter and has the versatility to play "1" through "3" and that's nice to have."

Joining the talented group in the backcourt is freshman Brooke Stewart.  A native of Topsfield, Mass., Stewart possesses competitiveness, size and the ability to shoot.

"Brooke is a tenacious competitor and hates to lose," explained Taylor.  "As a freshman, she won two of our off-season conditioning test.  Once we get Brooke acclimated to our system and college basketball, her potential is unlimited" said Taylor of the first-year guard.  

Small Forwards
A trio of experienced and talented players return at the small forward position for the Green and Gold.  Leading the way is steady senior Taylor Hilton.  Last year, the Washington, D.C., native battled through multiple injuries, but was still effective in her 22 appearances, averaging 5.1 ppg on .536 percent shooting from the field.

"After being injury plagued for the last two seasons, Taylor had a great summer of workouts and is ready to reap the benefits of her hard work," commented head coach Debbie Taylor. Taylor is just a flat out good basketball player. She can shoot from anywhere on the court, she can play with her back to the basket and she is great rebounder. Taylor's good decision making and leadership gives us a big boost as we expect her to play significant minutes as a starter this year."

Senior Chanel Murchison returns for her final campaign as the Tribe's best defender.  A high-energy player and a vocal leader, Murchison's leadership will be relied upon heavily this season.  The Stafford, Va., native made 20 starts in 30 appearances in 2011-12 and will look to improve her offensive numbers this year.  A defensive stalwart, Murchison usually owns the task of defending the opposition's best scorer, routinely holding that player well below their regular output.

"Chanel is the best team defender we have, she is the voice of our defense and the energy of our team.  Offensively, she has trained on making her shot more consistent in the off-season, and I think that will be evident this year as I anticipate her scoring to improve.  Chanel is the voice that makes us go and we will greatly rely on her leadership and energy night in and night out."

Sophomore Jazmen Boone looks to earn an increased role in 2012-13 as the Virginia Beach, Va., native turned in a solid freshman season.  Last year, Boone showed signs of her potential, scoring a career-best six points at Richmond, while collecting five rebounds on two occasions.  Used mainly in defensive situations as a freshman, Boone looks to join Murchison as one of the Tribe's lockdown defenders.

Joining the trio at small forward is Jamie Revels. A 6-0 freshman from Aurora, Colo., Revels brings raw ability and tremendous potential into the Tribe program.  A versatile athlete, Revels is a force inside the paint, possessing the ability to score and overpower opponents.

Centers and Power Forwards
At the power forward and center position, the Tribe is loaded with talented upperclassmen in 2012-13.   Leading the way is the duo of seniors Emily Correal and Jaclyn McKenna, who have been mainstays in the post for the Tribe the last three seasons.  Juniors Kaitlyn Mathieu and Victoria Willems along with sophomore MacKenzie Morrison provide the Green and Gold with proven players who will provide depth.

Correal brings back 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per outing from last season.  On her way to a team-high 397 points and 259 rebounds, the Venetia, Pa., native posted 11 double-doubles, which was highlighted by a career-high 27 points and 14 rebounds against Elizabeth City State.  An all-league caliber player, Correal was unstoppable against VCU in the second-half of last year's CAA tournament, scoring 18 points in the final 20 minutes against the Rams.  Correal's ability to score inside and out the paint make her a tough match-up for opponents.

McKenna teams up with Correal in the post to provide the Green and Gold with one of the best one-two punches in the CAA.  The productive McKenna averaged 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds as a junior, which included double-double performances against James Madison and UNCW.  McKenna's uncanny ability to score both inside the paint and on the perimeter give the College the luxury of implementing numerous versatile offensive strategies.

"Emily and Jackie have started since they were freshmen and have been a fixture inside over their careers," Taylor said.  They have the game experience, both are in great shape and each are highly skilled and have the potential of being an all-league caliber player.  This senior tandem will provide us with an amazing one-two punch down on the block.  Emily and Jackie's leadership and production will be vital to our success on both ends of the floor." 

Mathieu returns looking to regain the form that saw the Waterboro, Maine native garner CAA All-Rookie team accolades in 2010-11.  As a freshman, Mathieu averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and was named to the all-tournament team at the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic.  As a sophomore, Mathieu appeared in 28 games and poured in a season-best 13 points in the College's 19-point win at Virginia Tech.  Mathieu's athletic ability allows W&M's coaching staff to play the talented junior at multiple positions, depending on matchup situations.

"Kaitlyn is a solid and may be the most versatile player we have," Taylor said. Her ability to play inside and out, along with her size and quickness, makes her a tough match up for the opposition."

After seeing action in four games as a sophomore, Willems looks to reap the benefits of a great off-season.  The San Antonio, Texas native worked hard both on the court and in the weight room in the off-season and is well positioned to make an impact this year.

Sophomore MacKenzie Morrison is poised for a breakout season after her freshman campaign was cut short due to injury.  In her five appearances in 2011-12, the Norwalk, Iowa native's best performance came against Elizabeth City State when she contributed two points and four rebounds.  A dominate player at times in practice, Morrison's exceptional 6-4 size and ability to score in the post will make her a valuable reserve this season.