PHILADELPHIA (8/01/03) - Expectations were sky high when Saint Joseph's class of 2004 arrived on campus in the fall of 2000. Co-host of the Women's Final Four that spring, the Hawks had recently made their fourth straight postseason appearance and were coming off their third NCAA Tournament trip in four years. This ballyhooed group of newcomers was touted as arguably the tallest, deepest and most talented collection of newcomers to ever don the Crimson and Gray. Four years later that group, which includes seniors Stephanie Graff, Irina Krasnoshiok, Amra Mehmedic, Elizabeth "Hootie" Mohan and Esther Hoffer, has individually etched their names in Hawk lore. Collectively they won a Big Five championship as freshman, while capturing Atlantic 10 Eastern Division titles, and making a pair of postseason appearances the last two years. Still, the ultimate prizes, an A-10 Tournament crown and ticket to the Big Dance, have eluded them. Despite averaging nearly 20 victories per season during their careers, this group of Hawks still believes it has unfinished business. All five starters and 11 letterwinners return to the lineup for SJU head coach Cindy Griffin. In addition, a quartet of highly regarded newcomers should give the Hawks much improved depth and contend for immediate playing time. With these pieces in place, the Crimson and Gray will firmly set its sights on its goals for 2003-04 - win the Big Five, win the Atlantic 10 and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Little question exists that the Hawks' seniors will be the catalysts for the team's success. A talented and versatile group, Graff, Krasnoshiok, Mehmedic and Mohan will be called upon to reach their full potential in their final collegiate seasons. A fifth senior starter, former transfer Erin Brady, however, may be the key that will allow SJU to take off this season. Tabbed as the team's Most Valuable Player, Brady's emergence as a capable solution at the point after a slow start last season coincided with the Hawks' improved play and eventual run through the A-10. An explosive scorer, she matched Krasnoshiok for the team lead in 20-point games and ranked second on the team in scoring (11.8 ppg.), while topping the team in both assists (3.9) and steals (2.1). "Erin's leadership and maturity both on and off the court have progressed at a rapid pace," relates Griffin. "Nobody grew more from our early season experience against the Dukes and UConns last year." Krasnoshiok, meanwhile, appeared to finally grasp her immense ability and pieced together her best season on the court. A dynamic offensive talent who was virtually unstoppable at times, she garnered first team All-Big Five and third team All-Atlantic 10 honors after leading the team with a 14.3-points-per-game average and ranking second in rebounding (5.8 rpg.). The cerebral tandem of Graff and Mehmedic took on added leadership responsibilities, while providing a consistent presence in the front and backcourt, respectively. Graff topped the squad in rebounding and was third in points. A disruptive force on the defensive end of the floor, she also set SJU single-season and career marks for blocked shots. A native of Bosnia, Mehmedic continued to mature as both a ball handler and perimeter shooter. One of the top three-point threats in program history, she is likely to eclipse several Hawk career marks by season's end. The final returning starter, Mohan possesses an all-around game that will make her a wildcard as the season develops. The team's Unsung Hero does all of the little things necessary to make a good team great. Her versatility and willingness to make the extra pass, grab the tough rebound or take a charge make her an invaluable asset. "How each player fills her role this season will determine our success on the court this year," assesses Griffin. The Hawks' 2002-03 non-conference schedule was rated the fourth toughest nationally, and this season's slate should be just as demanding. SJU will likely square off against ten teams that made postseason appearances last year in addition to the rigors that accompany the traditional Big Five and Atlantic 10 circuits. A December 21 meeting with National Player of the Year Diana Taurasi and two-time defending national champion Connecticut at the Palestra highlights the schedule, while games against NCAA Tournament participants Charlotte, George Washington, Penn State, Villanova, Virginia and Xavier, as well as WNIT qualifiers Florida International, Iowa and Richmond also dot the schedule. "I believe we have compiled one of the most competitive schedules in the country," touts Griffin. "It will definitely prepare our players for the stiff competition in our league." With 11 letterwinners, including all five starters, back in the fold, SJU will place its deepest squad in years on the floor. Couple that with a senior sextet that is hungry to finish out their careers with a flourish, and expect the Hawks to be dancing in March. BACKCOURT The senior tandem of Brady and Mehmedic should provide Saint Joseph's with one of the East's most experienced and versatile backcourt combinations in 2003-04. SJU's unquestioned floor general and team MVP, Brady started last season slowly after transferring to SJU from American and sitting out the 2001-02 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. The Weatherly, Pa., native tallied just 6.1 points and 4.8 assists, and shot 37.0% from the floor (17-46) in the Hawks' first eight games. The second-team All-Big Five choice, however, elevated her play over the final 22 games of the season, averaging 13.9 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 50.5% (101-200). She finished the season second on the team in scoring (11.8 ppg.) and led the squad in both assists (3.9) and steals (2.1). One of the most prolific long-range snipers in program history, Mehmedic is on track to become SJU's career leader in three-pointers made and attempted by mid-season. Steady and reliable, the Bosnia native has worked hard to to become an adept ball handler and capable passer. A charismatic and emotional leader, the Academic All-District pick has proven willing and able to take big shots in tight spots during her career. Sophomore Kelly Springman saw spot duty in a reserve role at the point in her first collegiate campaign and should see similar action this year. An excellent ball handler who is capable of running SJU's halfcourt offense, she has battled to overcome several knee surgeries during her brief Hawk tenure. FRONTCOURT The Crimson and Gray return a trio of senior starters up front in Graff, Krasnoshiok and Mohan. Graff remains one of the Atlantic 10's most physical players. Her punishing style of play can be unrelenting. As a sophomore, the southpaw set the Hawk single season record for field goal accuracy and could eclipse the career standard by season's end. A ferocious rebounder and imposing defensive presence, she has already established school-season and career marks for blocked shots. She topped the Hawks in rebounding last season (7.3) and placed third in scoring (11.4 ppg.). If Graff ranks as the East's most physical performer, Krasnoshiok may be the league's most dynamic. A 6-5 center who can dribble, pass and shoot from any range, she captured first-team all-Big Five and third-team All-A-10 honors after leading the team in scoring (14.3 ppg.) and ranking second in rebounding (5.8 rpg.). A native of Moldova in the former Soviet Union, she only began to unlock her limitless potential as a junior, nearly tripling her scoring average. If she makes similar gains in her final season, she could rank among both the A-10 and the nation's leading scorers. The final returning frontline starter, Mohan has a versatility which causes matchup problems for opponents at both ends of the floor. She averaged 3.5 points, 3.5 boards and 2.0 assists per outing as a junior, but it was her willingness to do the dirty work that doesn't register in a boxscore that makes her an invaluable asset. Sophomores Faith Gross and Maura McBryan should both see expanded playing time in their second seasons. Raw, but extremely athletic, Gross displayed glimpses of her vast potential, tallying 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds. Possessing a balanced all-around game, McBryan brings an infectious energy to the floor. She made 12 starts for SJU during the second half of her rookie season. A high school teammate of Mohan's, junior Kristin Cuff is a versatile frontline reserve. The former transfer from Marquette has the size and offensive ability to make an impact for SJU. Senior Esther Hoffer and sophomore Christen Scanlon round out the Hawks' frontcourt returnees. Both walk-ons, Hoffer has established herself as a fan favorite with her boundless spirit and energy. Scanlon, a two-sport standout, also competes with SJU's women's rowing team in the fall and spring. NEWCOMERS A quartet of new faces hope to compete for immediate playing time in Griffin's rotation, while infusing the squad with fresh energy and athleticism. The versatile group includes a pair of Philadelphia-area products in Ayahna Cornish and Brie Finney, as well as Canadian import Whitney Ffrench and Bowie, Md. native Erica Pollock. A four-time all-city selection and two-time Philadelphia Catholic League Northern Division MVP at Cardinal Dougherty, Cornish is the most decorated of the new Hawks. An explosive scorer and ball-hawking defender, she can slash to the basket and possesses outstanding quickness. The honorable mention All-American averaged 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists as a prep senior. A native of Richboro, Pa. in suburban Philadelphia, Finney helped Council Rock-North High School reach the Pennsylvania State Final Four twice during her standout career. The Bucks County Courier Times Player of the Year averaged 16.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists as a senior. A deadly perimeter shooter, she established both single-season and career marks for three-point field goals made at CR-N. Another guard, Ffrench is expected to provide immediate relief at the point. The Canadian national grew up in New Minas, Nova Scotia, but prepped at Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass. A two-time all-area pick, Ffrench averaged 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 steals in leading Tabor to a 48-2 record and back-to-back New England Prep School titles as a junior and senior. The final newcomer, Pollock will add depth in the frontcourt. A talented all-around athlete, she averaged 12.0 points and 11.0 rebounds to help Riverdale Baptist win both the Maryland State title and National Christian Academy Championship. SCHEDULE With ten games slated against teams that qualified for postseason tournaments on tap for 2003-04, including matchups with two-time defending national champion Connecticut, Penn State and Virginia, all ranked in the preseason Top 25, little doubt exists that the Hawks' schedule will be one of the nation's most stringent. Battle tested by last season's run through the gauntlet, this year's Hawk squad will be better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. UConn will travel to Philadelphia on December 21, as the Hawk women play host to the national champs at the Palestra. The Crimson and Gray will be more than prepared for that contest, after facing Villanova (NCAA) and Virginia (NCAA) in the preceding games. The Hawks will also host Drexel and travel to Lehigh in the early going. SJU closes out the non-conference portion of the schedule in January, facing traditional Philadelphia Big Five rival Pennsylvania and intrastate foe Penn State. In addition to the aforementioned battles, SJU will compete in a pair of in-season holiday tournaments. In late November, the Hawks will travel to Miami, Fla. to participate in Florida International's Thanksgiving Classic. The tourney field includes the host Golden Panthers (WNIT), as well as Iowa (WNIT) and Appalachian State. After Christmas, SJU hosts the 14th annual Hawk Classic. Charlotte (NCAA), George Mason and Stony Brook will contend for the Classic crown. Rated seventh out of 32 conferences nationally, the competitive Atlantic 10 slate is highlighted by matchups with NCAA qualifiers George Washington and Xavier, along with WNIT participant Richmond. In addition to those games, SJU will also square off with three other A-10 Western Division foes, Dayton, Duquesne and La Salle. In the East, the Hawks will play home-and-home series with Fordham, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure and Temple.