#6 GLIAC SOUTH
WALSH CAVALIERS (12-16 ALL, 8-14 GLIAC)

2014-15 Walsh Preview (by Brian Lester, GLIAC contributor)

Coach: Maria Marchesano enters her second year as the head coach of the Cavaliers

Overview: Walsh won four of its last five and will look to carry that momentum into this season. The Cavaliers should be able to do just that as they return two of their top three scorers, including leading scorer Kelsey Funderburgh, who averaged 15.9 points per outing. The junior guard was the top 3-point shooter as well, hitting 69 treys. Sophomore guard Jalynn Graham is also back after averaging 11.1 ppg. Senior forward Whitney Dabbelt will also play a key role after averaging 6.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Junior guard Rachel Trujillo also returns after averaging 7.6 ppg. The experience the Cavaliers have should help them be a much better team offensively this year. Walsh shot 39.2 percent from the floor last year and averaged 73.6 ppg.

Noteworthy: Dabbelt not only came up with 32 steals last year, but she was also second on the team in blocks with 14.

Walsh Sports Information Preview

Maria Marchesano led Walsh to a 12-16 overall mark and 8-14 GLIAC mark in her first year as head coach. The Cavs return four starters and nine letter winners, coupled with a strong recruiting class in their third year in the GLIAC. The Cavs recorded quality wins over Findlay, and beat GLIAC playoff participant Malone twice.

Marchesano returns two of her three top scorers in Kelsey Funderburgh (5-7, Jr., North Lewisburg, OH/Triad/Morehead State) and Jalynn Graham (5-5, So., Columbus, OH/Central Crossing). Funderburgh led Walsh in scoring (15.9 ppg), field goals (135) and three-point goals (69). She can change the course of a game with her long-range shooting skills and set a Walsh record with nine three’s in a four-overtime thriller with Hillsdale. Graham averaged 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds despite battling an ankle injury suffered at Northern Michigan in the fifth game of the season.

The 5-5 Graham proved to be one of the best rebounding guards in the conference. Also back is guard Rachel Trujillo (5-8, Jr., Cleveland, OH/Westlake) and Whitney Dabbelt (6-0, Sr., West Carrollton, OH/Archbishop Alter). Trujillo flourished when she became a starter and posted career numbers in points (7.6), assists (81) and steals (44). Dabbelt led the team in rebounding (7.1) despite battling an early season bout with mono and bad knees.

Also back is guard Audrey Badovich (5-5, Sr., Norwalk, OH/St. Paul) and three-point sharp shooter Sarah Stephenson (6-0, Jr., New Philadelphia, OH/HS). Badovick finished second on the team with 70 assists and shot 83% from the foul line. Despite a shoulder that would require off-season surgery, Stephenson led the GLIAC in three-point shooting (45%).