PHILADELPHIA (8/01/02) - Most programs would be satisfied after posting a 24-8 record, capturing the A-10 Eastern Division title, winning a third straight Hawk Classic crown, advancing to the second round of the WNIT and topping the nation in free throw shooting accuracy in head coach Cindy Griffin's first season at the helm. The Saint Joseph's University women's basketball program is not like most.

Among the most successful teams in women's basketball history, making eleven NCAA Tournament appearances and 17 postseason appearances overall, Cindy Griffin's first year reasserted the Hawk program to its rightful perch among the nation's top programs. In 2002-03 the Hawks aim to soar higher by returning to the "Big Dance" after a two-year absence.

Nine letterwinners, including a pair of returning starters, will serve as the core of this season's squad. In addition, a pair of highly regarded transfers, a red-shirt freshman and a tandem of true-freshmen will join the mix in Griffin's second season at her alma mater. As always their team's goals remain clear: Win the Big Five, win the Atlantic 10, and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

"One of the biggest advantages this team has is that a lot of our freshmen and sophomores have had an opportunity to play early in their careers," states Griffin. "Now they're juniors and seniors and, while we had to count on them last year, this season we'll have to sell our house with them. I think they are ready for the challenge."

With the team's objectives in focus, Griffin must find a way to replace a veteran trio of seniors, including the program's all-time leading scorer Susan Moran, who composed the heart-and-soul of the 2001-02 Hawk squad. SJU went 21-5 with Jane Meade, Amy Snell and Moran in the starting five.

Moran's assets will be particularly difficult to replace. The only player in Hawk annals to lead her team in both scoring and rebounding in four straight seasons, she captured both national and regional recognition for her accomplishments last year. An honorable mention All-American (AP/WBCA), as well as a finalist for the inaugural Senior CLASS (National Senior Player of the Year) Award, she counted both Big Five and Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year awards, as well as a third team Academic All-America honors, among her postseason accolades.

"I don't think that you can replace Susan with one single person, but I think that collectively we have a combination of people who can help to fill her shoes," relates Griffin. Among those most likely to fill Moran's shoes offensively are a skilled group of juniors, including Stephanie Graff, Amra Mehmedic and Irina Krasnoshiok, who each brings a different style to the floor.

A force in the lowpost, Graff came into her own as a sophomore capturing second team all-Big Five and Atlantic 10 All-Tournament accolades, while placing second on the team in both scoring (10.1) and rebounding (7.1). The physical southpaw set a new SJU single season record by shooting a staggering 62.2% from the field (138-222). She was particularly efficient down the stretch, connecting on 25-26 shots from the floor over her final four games, including the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament semifinals and finals.

Mehmedic meanwhile displayed significant maturity, becoming a more capable ball handler and more consistent with her shot from the perimeter. The Bosnian native placed third in the A-10 with a 1.71 assist-to-turnover ratio and increased her numbers in virtually every significant statistical category. She also topped the squad in three-point field goals made and attempted for the second consecutive season.

One of the East's most dynamic talents, Krasnoshiok continues to flash glimpses of her vast potential. The Moldovan national's infusion of height and athletic ability, coupled with a silky smooth stroke, make her difficult to defend offensively. The Hawk coaching staff hopes that a rigorous summer training regimen will unshackle the missing intangible element that will release her complete game.

Failing to garner NCAA consideration last season despite 24 victories, SJU took measures to assure the rigor of its overall strength of schedule this year. A ten-day tour of Italy in August, during which the Hawks will take on top-flight international competition, will offer a prelude to the regular season schedule. Compiling one of the nation's most demanding slates, SJU will likely square off against nine teams that made postseason appearances last year. A December 22 clash with defending national champion Connecticut highlights the schedule, while games against NCAA Tournament participants Duke, Hartford, Penn State, Temple, (home and home), Villanova and Virginia, along with WNIT qualifiers George Washington and Siena also dot the schedule.

"We have a tough schedule. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it," assesses Griffin. "We are going to find out how tough we are."

With the return of nine letterwinners, SJU places a poised and experienced squad on the floor. Coupled with the influx of a talented quintet of newcomers, look for these Hawks to satisfy their goals in 2002-03. FRONTCOURT Greater expectations will fall upon the shoulders of SJU's returning frontcourt performers now that Moran has taken her game to the WNBA. The only player to lead SJU in both scoring and rebounding in four consecutive seasons, her consistent all-around game will be sorely missed. Nonetheless, SJU can turn to an experienced group of returnees to shoulder the load.

Arguably the Atlantic 10 and Philadelphia Big Five's most improved player last season, Graff blossomed as a sophomore earning second team all-City honors. An intimidating physical presence, the southpaw could be virtually unstoppable at times on the low block and set a new SJU single season record by shooting a staggering 62.2% from the field. A ferocious rebounder and imposing defender Graff possesses the ability to take over a game at both ends of the floor. SJU's second leading scorer and rebounder, she also topped the team in blocked shots and could become the school's career leader in rejections by season's end.

Somewhat of an enigma, Krasnoshiok boasts limitless potential. A 6-5 center with the athletic ability of a two-guard, her size, quickness and shooting touch from any range give her a physical advantage against most opponents. The Hawk coaching staff hopes that the Moldovan will unlock the intangible element that will take her game to the next level this season.

Fellow juniors Elizabeth "Hootie" Mohan and Terraya Richardson are expected to take on added responsibility this year. A versatile swing-player, Mohan's ability to dribble, pass and shoot from long range can cause match-up problems for opponents. Richardson, undersized at 5-6, surprises teams with her strength and explosiveness. Bringing a high-level of activity to the floor, her energetic style of play often serves as a welcome change of pace.

Rounding out the Hawk frontcourt is junior Esther Hoffer. Hoffer walked on to the team as a freshman and established herself as a fan favorite with her spirit and energy. BACKCOURT Junior Amra Mehmedic heads a group of four returnees in the backcourt. The versatile 5-8 guard displayed improved maturity and decision making in her second full season as a starter. Becoming a more adept ball handler, a refined passer and more consistent perimeter shooter, the Bosnian native upped her numbers across the board and topped the squad in three-point field goals made and attempted for the second consecutive season.

The squad's leader both on and off the court, fifth-year senior Colleen McGahan returns for her final collegiate season. A three-year captain, McGahan is regarded as one of the nation's most lethal long-range snipers when healthy. A starter in all 31 games for the Hawks as a sophomore, she missed the entire 2000-01 season with a stress fracture and eight games in 2001-02 with a broken finger. Among SJU's career leaders in three point field goals made and attempted, she connects at a nearly 40% clip from beyond the arc.

Senior Takeya Trayer emerged as a capable backup at the point position in 2001-02 seeing action in 31 games. An explosive penetrator and solid ball-handler, Trayer should again be a valuable reserve. Another senior Natasha Pronga will also contend for time in the Hawks' rotation and could see action as a defensive stopper on the perimeter. A two-time all-conference pick as a member of the SJU field hockey team in the fall, Pronga possesses great athleticism.

NEWCOMERS While the veteran returnees comprise the core of the roster, the Hawks add five newcomers who should make an immediate impact on the team's fortunes. Highly-regarded transfers junior Erin Brady (American) and sophomore Kristin Cuff (Marquette) rank as the most seasoned of the first-year Hawks, but red-shirt frosh Kelly Springman and true-freshman Maura McBryan and Faith Gross possess the talent to contribute in their inaugural collegiate seasons.

Arguably the Eagles top player, Brady led American in scoring, assists and steals as a sophomore in 2000-01. Slated as the likely successor at the point, she couples great quickness with a scorer's mentality. Cuff, a high school teammate of Mohan, is a versatile frontline performer, who can play in the post or step out to the perimeter.

An excellent ball-handler and hard-nosed defender, Springman missed all of last season with a partial meniscus tear. Springman averaged 12.5 ppg. and 5.3 apg. at Archbishop Carroll High School in suburban Philadelphia as a prep senior.

Gross, a 6-1 forward/center from Philmont Christian Academy and McBryan a 6-0 forward from Archbishop Carroll, were the first freshmen signed by Griffin upon her return to SJU in April 2001. Gross averaged 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game last season, returning to the U.S. in January after studying abroad in South Africa. McBryan averaged 11 points, 6 boards and 3 assists per game last season. She is the third player from the Philadelphia Catholic league to sign with SJU in the last three years, joining current SJU teammates Graff and Springman.

SCHEDULE A tour of Italy in August offers the Hawks an opportunity to get a jump on their stateside competition. Taking on some of Europe's premier club teams should allow SJU to get an early taste of high-level competition. The early international contests will be critical to the Hawks success due to the rigor of the team's overall strength of schedule in 2002-03. Featuring one of the nation's most demanding slates, SJU will likely square off against nine teams that made postseason appearances last year, including defending national champion Connecticut.

An early Christmas present, SJU will travel to UConn on December 22. By that point, however, SJU should be well tested for their meeting with the Huskies. Highlighting the early-season non-conference schedule are road encounters with NCAA qualifiers Virginia and Penn State, as well as cross-town rival Drexel. The Crimson and Gray will also host Boston University in addition to traditional Philadelphia Big Five battles with Villanova (NCAA) and Pennsylvania.

Aside from these clashes, SJU will compete in a pair of in-season tournaments. In early December, the Hawks travel to Durham, N.C. to compete in the Duke Classic at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The tournament field includes the host Blue Devils (NCAA), as well as Buffalo and Howard. After Christmas, SJU hosts the 13th annual Hawk Classic. Hartford (NCAA), Siena (WNIT) and Maryland-Baltimore County will contend for the Classic crown.

A pair of Atlantic 10 Conference games with A-10 champion and NCAA participant Temple, as well as a meeting with WNIT qualifier George Washington present difficult challenges once the league portion of the schedule gets underway. In addition to the Owls, SJU will play home-and-home series with eastern division rivals, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure and Fordham. In the West, SJU will host Dayton, G.W. and Xavier and take on Duquesne, La Salle, and Richmond on the road.