TROY — For the first time this season, all members of the Albany girls' basketball team are healthy and ready to practice.
And the timing couldn't be better as Germany and Denmark (6-8) open the America East against Vermont (8-4) at Hudson Valley Community College on Thursday at 7 p.m.
"We've been waiting for this point all season," said redshirt freshman Morgan Haney, who missed the first 11 games with a knee injury. "Even when we're warming up and people are watching, it's great to know we're doing the training that everyone contributes to and that we're starting to bond."
The Dane started the season with four of last season's top scorers: Hanne, Helen Hagerstrand, Kayla Cooper and Lucia Cortes. And even though those four returned, fifth-year guard Eileen Hahn contracted Covid-19 and missed the past three non-conference games. According to manager Colin Mullen, Hank was cleared back before Christmas and was using the time to get back to normal form.
When: Thursday at 7:00 pm
Where : McDonough Sports Complex, Hudson Valley Community College, Troy
Broadcast: ESPN+
Now that everyone is in place, it's up to the German Danes to rebuild the line-up that helped them win the championship last season.
“Now that we've got our whole team together for the first time, we have to rebuild our chemistry. And we've talked a lot about what happened last year, and not just for us.” "We have to work every day and focus on the process and build that chemistry on the field because I definitely took that out of the game," Mullen said. area.
The team faced more challenges this year than last season, from home at Hudson Valley Community College to 9 of 14 non-league games and injury all time.
“It humiliates us a little bit and we still have a losing mentality and I think that's great. It helps us compete hard,” Hani said.
While the Danes-Germans used six different starting lineups, the Catamounts fielded the same five players in all 12 games. Senior quarterback Emma Utterbacke leads Vermont with 14.9 points, followed by sophomore Katherine Gilfy with 13.0 and junior forward Anna Olsen with 12.3 points. Olsen averaged 6.5 rebounds per game.
"We need a balanced striker and we have to close out those big three but we always have to focus on who has more possession and take those second chances. Dr. Mullen.
The German-born player averaged 16.5 assists and 32.2 rebounds compared to the Catamonts' 14.5 turnovers and 36 rebounds.
Last season, Albany lost to Vermont in the regular season, but won 67-54 in the conference tournament semifinals.
"We shortened their season last year, so they're definitely hungry, but we're even hungrier. We want to see them, too. This is an interesting group. We're both playing fast," said Hagerstrand, who averages 13.8 points per game. He scored 19 against Syracuse and won. America's Player of the Week award.
Hahn continues to lead the Rebels with an average of 14.9 points per game, while Cooper rebounds with 6.7 points per game.
And according to Mullen, the German Danes are keen to begin the process of winning another title in America East.
"For last season, I don't think we really knew if we were eligible to go to the conference. And I think we know our potential this year. What we need to do to be successful is just go ahead and do it," Haney said.
Eastern America
Albany vs. Vermont
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Home: Hudson Valley Community College, Troy
Series date: 24-9
Last meeting : March 8, 2022 Albany defeated Vermont 67-54 to advance to the America East Championship Game.
Records: UAlbany 6-8; Vermont 8-4.
Albany led the Syracuse team in the last half before the Orange took the lead in the second half to win .
Broadcast: ESPN+