Who’s Back:
Danielle Hood (13.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg) was a unanimous first-team all-conference pick in 2007 and enters this season as a member of the preseason all-conference team. She ranked in the conference’s top 10 for scoring and field goal percentage. Hood led the team in scoring last year for the second consecutive season.
After a year hiatus, 2006 Rookie of the Year Erica Beverly (7.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg) returns for her sophomore campaign. She started eight games last season before red-shirting the rest of 2006-07 with a knee injury. Beverly averaged 10.2 ppg as a freshman.
Who’s gone:
Ikea Witt was a first-team all-conference selection in 2007 averaging 11.0 ppg. She led the Hawks in minutes played and finished fourth in the conference with a .489 fg percentage. Witt will return this season as Director of Basketball Operations.
Newcomers:
The Hawks welcome four freshmen in 07-08, including a pair from Massachusetts.
Notable:
Jennifer Rizzotti received Coach of the Year honors for the second straight year in 2007 and extended her contract through 2014 during the offseason.
With 25 wins in 2006-07, Hartford currently has a streak of three seasons with 20+ wins, including a victory over a ranked opponent in each of the last two years.
Hartford was the fourth-stingiest defense in the nation last year, giving up just 53.2 points per game.