Nine Teams, Nine Days – Over the next nine days we’ll take a look at each of the America East’s nine women’s basketball programs in a lead up to the 2023-24 season. The regular season begins on Monday, Nov. 6 with eight teams in action and the full schedule of contests can be found here.
The 2022-23 season was one of perseveration for head coach Colleen Mullen, as the Great Danes dealt with injuries to some of their top players throughout the year, they didn’t have a true home court due to construction and has a less than ideal practice situation due to the construction. Through all of that adversity the team rose the challenge and reached its second consecutive America East Championship, where they came up just one shot from a second straight conference title.
This year Mullen is excited about the talent she has returning as well as the group of 8 newcomers who have joined the program in the quest for another championship.
“With some new additions and some new pieces, there’s just a lot of excitement, a lot of new energy,” said Mullen. “It’s going to be a big challenge, but I think it’s a nice spot to be kind of the underdog again.”
Though the team only brings back two starters, they are two of the best players in league, Kayla Cooper and Helene Haegerstrand. Cooper came into her own as a junior, earning First-Team All-Conference honors after finishing third in the league in scoring (15.2) and fourth in rebounding (8.3) while shooting 48 percent from the floor. Helene Haegerstrand only announced she was coming back for a fifth season earlier this month and Mullen is assuredly thankful. The two-time First-Team All-Conference selection started 29 games and averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 39.0 percent from downtown.
Joining this group is eight newcomers in the form of five freshmen and three transfers. Sarah Karpell comes to Albany after a four-year career at Fordham where she appeared in 109 games over four seasons and as a senior averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 assists.
UAlbany begins its season on Nov. 6 at Merrimack and hits the road for the month of November, highlighted by trips to Cornell and Stanford at the end of the month. The Great Danes christen the Broadview Center on Dec. 2 against Siena and play four more home games in December before beginning conference play at home against Bryant on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.
UAlbany – Roster - Schedule
Head Coach: Colleen Mullen
2022-23 Record: 22-11, 14-2 (T-1st)
Scoring Offense: 58.1 points per game (7th)
Scoring Defense: 55.0 points per game (2nd)
Opponent FG%: 37.2% (1st)
Returning Starters (2)
Kayla Cooper, F – 15.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg
Helene Haegerstrand, F – 14.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 46 3pt FG
Notable Newcomers (8)
Sarah Karpell, G – transfer from Fordahm
Gabriela Falcão, C– transfer from La Salle
Meghan Huerter, G – transfer from Providence
Deja Evans, F - freshman
Fans will once again be able to watch every #AEHoops home game on The AE on ESPN with all games airing on ESPN+ or ESPN3 domestically and AmericaEast.TV internationally.
Follow the @AEHoopsNews X (Formerly Twitter) account to stay up-to-date on #AEHoops news all season long.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
- Building the Complete Student-Athlete –