Three keys to the season:
Defense. McInelly began talking about defense when the cadets returned to the grounds Aug. 10. They lowered the scoring margin last season, but the rebounding margin went up.
Rebounding. Senior forward Dana Loveless writes “OB” on her wrists before practice to signify better play on the offensive boards.
Taking care of the ball. McInelly believes she has players who can score points but avoiding turnovers will be essential; AFA had 528 last season (18.2 per game).
Most improved part of team: Half-court and transition defense. McInelly says the Falcons are doing a “good job” in those areas. Last year, 15 of their 19 losses were by 10 points or more.
Biggest surprise: Kathleen Schjodt. The junior forward has stepped up in preseason practice and is looking for playing time after playing just three games last season.
Who has taken ownership of the team? Until freshman Anna Gault and sophomore Stevie Puentes gain experience at point guard and assume leadership roles, veteran center Kim Kreke and sophomore guard Raimee Beck, last year’s point guard, are take-charge types.
Game/stretch most worrisome: McInelly breaks up the schedule into segments, and right now, she is focused on the first four games. “We’d like to see four wins,” she said. “We want to see where we are before moving on.”
Roster adjustments: Look for eight or nine players to gain starting roles during the season, with five freshmen coming off the bench.
Coming out strong: McInelly remains enthusiastic, even though victories are hard to come by at Air Force. Four of the first five regular-season games are at home, providing an opportunity for a fast start.
Irv Moss, The Denver Post
