St. Vincent girls preview: Squaws want to build off volleyball program's success in district play

St. Vincent's volleyball team experienced unusual success this year -- and basketball coach Terry Wengert hopes some of that rubs off on her squad.

The Squaws, coming off a 6-19 season, feature six players who were on the volleyball team that won the program's first district title since 1987.

"Hopefully that kind of success will carry over to basketball," Wengert said. "They get a little taste of it, and maybe that will help motivate them even more."

Wengert doesn't expect the Squaws to be an overwhelming unit -- they graduated their top scorers -- but she believes there is sufficient talent to be competitive.

Three seniors who saw at least some starting action last year return in guards Theresa Mattingly, Kelsey Kutz and Lauren Schumer, although Schumer will miss at least the early part of the season with a back injury.

Mattingly and Kutz are St. Vincent's top returning scorers at about four points per game apiece, but Wengert said, "They're capable of scoring."

The Squaws return a few other players who saw some varsity time last year, including sophomore Jessica Welker, who saw considerable action the second part of the season.

Wengert will also be counting on several players up from the junior varsity team.

"Everybody is working hard, but they're going to have to play good defense. That's the key for us," Wengert said. "I do believe we can be competitive, if everybody gets out there and gets after it."

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zST. VINCENT GIRLS

Coach: Terry Wengert, 14th season

Assistant: Mary Rozier

Last season: 6-19

Conference: Jefferson County Conference

Returning starters

Theresa Mattingly 5-6 Sr. G

Kelsey Kutz 5-7 Sr. G

Lauren Schumer 5-7 Sr. G

Rest of roster

Jessica Welker, 5-5, So., G; Lisa Abbott, 5-9, Sr., F; Alexandra Lundy, 5-9, Sr., C; Miranda Holmes, 5-5, Jr., G; Hannah Schremp, 5-7, Jr., G; Kate Guyot, 5-3, Jr., G; Lindsay Prost, 5-6, Jr., F; Lacey Siegmund, 5-6, So., F/C; Brooke Brown, 5-6, So., G

Schedule

Nov. 28-Dec. 1 -- Valle tournament

Nov. 29 -- Delta, 6 p.m.

Dec. 6 -- at Kingston, 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 -- Fredericktown, 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 -- Meadow Heights, 6 p.m.

Jan. 3-7 -- Delta New Year's tournament

Jan. 5 -- at Herculaneum, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 -- Windsor, 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 -- at Grandview, 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 -- at Ste. Genevieve, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 -- at Festus, 6 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- Kelly, 6 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- Perryville (Perry Park Center), 3 p.m.

Feb. 2 -- at De Soto, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Hillsboro, 6 p.m.

Feb. 8 -- Notre Dame, 6 p.m.

Feb. 9 -- Crystal City, 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 -- at Oran, 6 p.m.

Feb. 20 -- St. Pius, 6 p.m.

Feb. 22 -- Scott City, 6 p.m.