CENTERS
     Monmouth has good depth at the center position where JEWONDA BRIGHT, BRIDGETTE BYNUM, and TARA STEFANUCCI all add power and athleticism to the post position. 
     Bright is a transfer from Delaware State, who sat out last season due to NCAA regulations.  Although only a sophomore, Bright has experience in the post, as she played one year at Delaware State and practiced everyday with the team last season.
     Bynum is an eager learner, with good post moves.  Her strength and gritty attitude will bring positive minutes to the Hawks’ front court.
Stefanucci, a walk-on returning for her second year will provide valuable depth for Monmouth.  The sophomore appeared in nine games for the Hawks last season and has improved mightily in her time in the Blue and White.
     “The center position is the least experienced in our program but we have three strong performers,” DeVane said. “It is going to be interesting to see this play out, as all of our centers are young and improving.  Each of them will get their minutes and help the others get better.  Between the returning Stefanucci and Bright, Bynum will be in a battle for playing time.”
 

FORWARDS
     Monmouth once again has great depth at the forward position where it returns the two-time Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-NEC performer MICHELLE CAPPADONA and starter LaTOYA THOMPSON. Cappadona has proven herself as one of the league’s top players, averaging 16.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.22 assists per game.        Cappadona earned honors as the league’s best defensive player for the second straight year by leading the conference in steals with 3.22 per game and ranking seventh in the NEC in defensive rebounds. The versatile Cappadona ranked fourth in the conference in scoring (16.3 ppg), seventh in rebounding (7.2 rpg), third in assists (4.22 apg), 14th in free-throw percentage (.736), ninth in assists-to-turnover ratio (0.84) and 15th in offensive rebounds (2.30 rpg).  Cappadona also led the team with seven double-doubles and completed the school’s first-ever triple-double against Fairleigh Dickinson. 
     LaTOYA THOMPSON, a tremendous leaper with great strength, returns to the Hawks’ lineup after starting 24 games last season.  The senior posted 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest last year.  RASHAWNAH FRENCH, another transfer from Delaware State who sat out last season, will challenge last year’s starters for valuable minutes.  The durable and strong French adds a great deal of strength and versatility to the lineup. MEREDITH THORNTON and ZANE HERNANDEZ add depth at the forward position. Thornton appeared in 18 games last season and Hernandez is a scrappy, hard-nosed transfer from Palm Beach Community College. 
     “We are real deep at the forward position,” DeVane said. “All of these players are interchangeable between the power and small forward spots.  I am real excited to see them perform together because they all can post-up, drive to the basket, and hit the jumpshot.”
 

GUARDS
     Monmouth’s backcourt will be young and relatively inexperienced except for senior JAIME JANDA.  Janda played in 26 games last season at the point, but will be looking forward to the move over to the shooting guard this season.  LaSHEENA MARTIN, played a lot as a freshman and learned quickly what it took to play at this level.  Now a sophomore, Martin will look to run the offense and improve on her numbers. 
     “Jamie and LaSheena will make a great combination.  Jamie has a great shot but has not used it often while running the offense.  The move will increase her production and LaSheena’s,” stated DeVane. 
     Monmouth will need to replace Amanda Rosato at the shooting guard position. Last season, Rosato led the team with 17.8 points per game and was the only player to start every contest. 
      SARAH HATCHER and KATIE TURPIN are a pair of seniors that will compete for playing time and add depth to the backcourt. 
     The Hawks will also be looking for a pair of freshmen, in COURTNEY LUMPKIN and ERIN WINSTON to make a sudden impact. Both freshmen will have an opportunity to earn minutes, and may push for a starting spot.  The two are fiesty, hard-nosed players, who are great on-the-ball defenders, as Lumpkin adds rebounding ability and sound fundamentals, while Winston contributes tremendous speed and versatility.  They will have to learn quickly and adjust to the pace of the collegiate game immediately.
     “I am confident in our guard play,” DeVane said. “Except for Jaime, they are young, but these kids hate to lose.  They will do whatever it takes to win a game.  I’ve watched them develop and work hard.  It is going to be fun to see them in action.”
     Once again, Monmouth has scheduled a tough early part of the season in order to get ready for the conference race. 
      The campaign to rejoin the conference elite starts in November with four straight road contests.  The kick-off is with Drexel and Hofstra before traveling to Miami, Fla. to take on Big Ten Conference powers Michigan State and Northwestern.  The Hawks then host Seton Hall, Denver and St. Peter’s in non-conference action before traveling to Maryland-Eastern Shore. 
     “We want our schedule to be tough,” DeVane said. “Those first few games will prove to be a good test for this squad heading into conference play.  We have our work cut out for us in the first half of the season, but that is what we want.  We want people to look out for Monmouth.”