ROCHESTER, NY – After a historic 2015-16 season that saw the RIT women's basketball team reach lofty heights, the Tigers have set their sights even higher in 2016-17. With the return of four starters from last season's team that won a program-record 20 games, head coach Amy Reed is eager and excited of the prospects for this season.

"Last year was a great year," said Reed who enters her ninth season at the university. "The program has reached new heights. It was an exciting ride, but we are looking to build on that momentum this season."
 
Despite the loss of co-captain Maria Edwards (Forrest Hill, MD/The Carroll School) to graduation, the Tigers will look to returning captain Julia Bender (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) along with first-year captains Jessica Shields (Lyons, NY/Newark) and Jessica Glaz (Rockaway Beach, NY/Scholars Academy) to provide leadership this season.

RIT returns a wealth of talent at the guard spot, including Glaz, last season's leading scorer. She returns after a record-setting 2015-16 which saw her set the single-season record with 444 points. Glaz was fourth in the league in scoring (16.4 PPG) and led the league by shooting 87.4% from the foul line. She was second in the league in 3-pt. field goal percentage (34.6%), 3-pt. field goals per game (2.4) and 3-point. field goals made (64). She is only 279 points shy from 1000 for her career.
 
"Jess is just a really good all-around player," said Reed who has a program record 90 wins. "She can shoot, defend, take it the hoop, create her own shot."

Joining Glaz in the backcourt is Bender. Bender will be relied on to score, rebound and serves as RIT's toughest defender. Last season, she played in all 27 games and was fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 6.8 points per game. Bender led the team in rebounding (6.4), second in steals (1.5) and was third in minutes, playing 27.4 minutes per game.
 
"Nobody works harder than Julia," said Reed. "She leads by example and expects her teammates to work as hard as she does on and off the floor. Both (Jessica) Shields and (Jess) Glaz have taken a more vocal leadership role, too. They all three have different strengths that complement each other."

Sophomore Cori Okada (Fullerton, CA/Troy) returns after a successful freshman campaign at point guard. She finished fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.6 points per game and was third averaging 2.4 assists per game.  Her ability to get into the lane and create her own shot will be key to the Tigers success in 2016-17. Junior Sydney Frank (Haverford, PA/Friends' Central) returns after a year off on co-op and will provide solid depth at point guard.

"Cori has elevated her game this season," stated Reed. "Along with her scoring ability, Cori has taken a more vocal leadership role, which is what you want from your quarterback."

Graduate student Ashlynn Palmitesso (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) returns after taking a year off in 2015-16. She is 182 points shy of 1,000 for her career, and will add shooting range and scoring to the guard spot. She averaged 13.5 points per game in 2014-15, making 34 3-pointers.

"It is good to have Ashlynn back," said Reed. "She gives us another scoring option. She has made an active effort to improve defensively and could really help us this season."
 
Junior Whitney Kent (Hinsdale, NY/Cuba-Rushford) has worked hard in the off-season and could see more minutes at guard in 2016-17. Newcomers Brooke Stanley (Minnetonka, MN/St. Margaret's) and Emily Nunez (San Marcos, CA/Mission Hills) will vie for playing time.

"We have such depth and talent at guard, we could have a different player step up each night," said Reed. "Whitney worked hard in the off-season and will contribute for us this season."
 
Taylor Burns (Rochester, NY/Greece Odyssey), a 6'1" senior guard/forward, will provide versatility and solid defense as well as another outside scoring threat for the Tigers.
 
"We can always count on Taylor to make solid decisions both offensively and defensively, and we have challenged her to be more assertive on the offensive end of the floor," said Reed.

Amanda Olsen (Glen Mills, PA/Archmere Academy) returns for her junior season. Last season, she was third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.6 points per game and was third on the team, with 6.0 rebounds per game. Her size and athletic ability provide matchup problems for the Tigers opponents.

"Amanda has one of the best turn-around jumpers I have ever seen in Division III," stated Reed. "It is really hard to guard. We are expecting more from her this year in terms of defense and rebounding."

In the post, sophomore Tara Lynch (Green Township, NJ/Newton) returns after a highly successful first season. Lynch, the Liberty League Rookie of the Year, finished second on the team and eighth in the league in scoring, averaging 14.7 points per game. She was second in the conference, shooting 50.7% from the floor and was 13th in rebounding, averaging 6.3 per contest.

"Tara is really finishing well around the basket this preseason," said Reed. "She is utilizing both hands around the basket, is using a variety of post-moves, and has expanded her shooting range."

Shields and classmate Abby Judd (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland) will provide talent and depth down low. Each are tough defenders that can provide toughness and rebounding to the lineup.  "We are going to rely on Jessica and Abby up front this year," said Reed.

Charlotte Myers (Boston, MA/Concord-Carlisle) and Kamille Davis (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) are talented newcomers who could step in and provide valuable minutes in the lineup right away.

"Charlotte is athletic and can jump and finish around the rim," said Reed. "She has a toughness about her that cannot be taught and could really step right in and help us out."

RIT opens the season on Nov. 15 at The College at Brockport. RIT will travel to Southern California in mid-November to play in the Occidental College Tournament. The Tigers will face Occidental on Nov. 19 and Whittier College on Nov. 20.

Other non-conference games include Allegheny College (Nov. 28), Nazareth College (Dec. 2), St. John Fisher College (Dec. 3), Buffalo State (Dec. 6), University of Rochester (Jan. 3), SUNY Geneseo (Jan. 17).

"We are playing three teams that were in last year's NCAA Tournament," said Reed. "The level of competition is key to get us ready for the tough Liberty League."

The Tigers open up Liberty League play on Jan. 6-7 with a weekend series at Rensselaer and Skidmore. RIT closes out the regular season with six home games in their last eight games, including the regular season finale versus Union.

The Tigers are poised to make another run at a berth in the Liberty League Tournament in 2016-17. Coach Reed feels if the team continues to improve every day, that it is a very realistic goal.

"The girls have worked hard in preseason." said Reed. "Our goal is to win a championship. We emphasize getting better every day and trusting the process. I think we could be a lot of fun to watch. If we can score and be tough defensively, we will be really tough to beat."