Key Returnees, New Faces Look to Take Mercy 
Women's Basketball in New Direction in 2006-07
∙ 2006-07 Roster
∙ 2006-07
Schedule
The Mercy College Women's basketball program changed directions in the 2006 off-season. Director of Athletics Kevin McGinniss hired Quinnipiac graduate Ashlee Kelly as the new head coach for the Flyers. Kelly is excited for the upcoming season and feels she knows what it takes for Mercy to begin to climb the ladder in the East Coast Conference (ECC). "The ECC has some great teams," said Kelly. "We are looking to get in the mix and make some things happen this year."
This year's squad returns a total of four players from last season. Those returnees will be looked upon to carry the load and help the newcomers adapt. "All of the returning young ladies will be a key part of this year's team," said Kelly. "We will look to Elissa to take charge and lead us."
Kelly is referring to graduate student Elissa Krossber (Canandaigua, NY), who is coming back to the squad after missing most of last season due to injury. She played in only four contests, but averaged 19 points and six rebounds per game. During her junior campaign Krossber played in all 25 games averaging 15 points, 6.3 rebounds, and two assists.
Another top returnee is sophomore guard Christina Baxter (Greenwood Lake, NY), a preseason All-ECC Second Team selection. She was named NYCAC Rookie of the Year last season after leading the team in steals and assists, and ranking second in scoring at 11.1 points per game.
Also
returning are Tannyka Bent (Queens, NY) and
Davilla Moore (East Elmhurst, NY), who will again
look to contribute. Bent, a sophomore guard, made 17 starts
last season, averaging 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Moore,
a senior forward, appeared in 22 contests.
When Kelly was hired and she added Tony Staffiere and John Desio as assistants, they went right to work at bringing in some more talented players. All totaled, six new names will dot this year's roster. "We were fortunate enough to bring in so many great student-athletes in a short amount of time," said Kelly. "With all the new faces and new coaching staff you can feel the energy."
In this group, Kelly will have four transfers and two freshmen. She expects them to make an immediate impact. "You can see the strides that they have taken since the first practice and they keep getting better every day," said Kelly.
This mixture of returning players with the newcomers and new coaching staff will have a challenging road ahead as this year's slate will pit the Flyers against three teams that played in last year's NCAA Tournament along with their rigorous ECC schedule. Despite those prospects, Kelly has reason to be optimistic about their chances at success.
"I feel with the players on this year's team and their willingness to work, we have what it takes to be one of the top eight teams in the conference at the end of the season," said Kelly. "They bring game-intensity to every practice and I expect that energy will carry over into the games this season."
