Pioneers Ready to Start 2017-18 Season

The Alfred State women's basketball team will look to continue the success they achieved last season as they open up the 2017-18 season tomorrow (11/15). The Pioneers return seven players from the 2016-17 season.

Catherine Bialecki (Alfred Almond) and Kelly Kane (Wellsville) will be asked to anchor the team. Bialecki was the USCAA Player of the Year last year after averaging 20.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks on the season. She recorded 15 double-doubles and her 523 points is the 4th most in a season by a Lady Pioneer. Kane started in all 26 games last year and averaged 5.3 points and 4.2 rebounds. She also passed out 60 assists and was credited with 17 steals.

Rayanna Anderson (Wellsville) and Michayla Salatel (Geneseo) will be counted on to run the offense. Anderson averaged 3.8 points per game in 13 games last year while Salatel averaged 2.9 points per game and passed out 52 assists.

Head Coach Gina Boyd (27 seasons, 403-289) will count on newcomers Kelsey Shaulis (Ovid/South Seneca), Emily Benes (Buffalo/Mount Mercy), and Janae Gibson (Bronx/Pelham Prep) to be impact players from the start.

The blue & gold open up the season tomorrow vs. Villa Maria and have 23 games scheduled concluding with the ACAA Championships at Pine Manor College. The schedule features 10 home games and road trips for contests all across New York and to Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC.

The Pioneers were 15-11 last season, won the ACAA Championship, and qualified for the USCAA Championships.