Spring Break
Mustangs welcome OSU transfers to 2009-10 roster
Nicole Jacobsen, Editor in Chief, njacobse@smu.edu
Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: Sports
The SMU women's basketball team already has a roster jam-packed with talent and experience, but add two transfers from an experienced Big 12 program and the Mustangs look significantly stronger for the 2009-10 season.
Former teammates Kristin Hernandez and Kelsey Hatcher of Oklahoma State University will both arrive on the Hilltop this season to join the Conference USA threat. With second-round appearances in both the Big 12 Championships and WNIT last season, both athletes know the skill it takes to advance to the post season - something the Mustangs had never done prior to Rompola becoming the team's head coach in 1991.
With two transfers from OSU coming to the Hilltop in the fall, head coach Rhonda Rompola just keeps adding record-breaking scorers and younger players to the 2009 Conference USA Regular-Season Champions roster.
All five starters from last season (Brittany Gilliam, Delisha Wills, Jillian Samuels, LaShandra Hill and Alice Severin) are expected to return. Each player, with the exception of the incoming freshmen class has experience in the post season, something the Mustangs will need if they hope for a repeat appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Hernandez, a junior from Duncanville (Texas) High School, totalled 238 points in the 2009 season. In her sophomore year at OSU, Hernandez averaged 7.4 points in 32 games. As a freshman, the 5-foot-9 guard set a school record for points scored by a freshman in a season opener with 25 points in her first collegiate appearance.
Rompola describes Hernandez as a player who will, "add to our depth at the perimeter position. … a very strong and physical guard that does a great job of creating her own shot."
Prior to graduating from high school, Hernandez was the 18th-best prospect in Texas, according to TexasGirlsBasketball.com. Hernandez joined the Mustang roster on June 5.
Joining her former teammate in Dallas will be Hatcher, a former guard of the Cowgirls. Heading into her sophomore year, Hatcher leaves her position as an OSU guard to help strengthen the SMU offense. Being one year younger then Hernandez, Hatcher will be eligible to play for three years at SMU.
Former teammates Kristin Hernandez and Kelsey Hatcher of Oklahoma State University will both arrive on the Hilltop this season to join the Conference USA threat. With second-round appearances in both the Big 12 Championships and WNIT last season, both athletes know the skill it takes to advance to the post season - something the Mustangs had never done prior to Rompola becoming the team's head coach in 1991.
With two transfers from OSU coming to the Hilltop in the fall, head coach Rhonda Rompola just keeps adding record-breaking scorers and younger players to the 2009 Conference USA Regular-Season Champions roster.
All five starters from last season (Brittany Gilliam, Delisha Wills, Jillian Samuels, LaShandra Hill and Alice Severin) are expected to return. Each player, with the exception of the incoming freshmen class has experience in the post season, something the Mustangs will need if they hope for a repeat appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Hernandez, a junior from Duncanville (Texas) High School, totalled 238 points in the 2009 season. In her sophomore year at OSU, Hernandez averaged 7.4 points in 32 games. As a freshman, the 5-foot-9 guard set a school record for points scored by a freshman in a season opener with 25 points in her first collegiate appearance.
Rompola describes Hernandez as a player who will, "add to our depth at the perimeter position. … a very strong and physical guard that does a great job of creating her own shot."
Prior to graduating from high school, Hernandez was the 18th-best prospect in Texas, according to TexasGirlsBasketball.com. Hernandez joined the Mustang roster on June 5.
Joining her former teammate in Dallas will be Hatcher, a former guard of the Cowgirls. Heading into her sophomore year, Hatcher leaves her position as an OSU guard to help strengthen the SMU offense. Being one year younger then Hernandez, Hatcher will be eligible to play for three years at SMU.
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