Great things are happening this season for Mercyhurst College women’s basketball and Coach Deanna Richard could not be more proud of her team. The women seem to have taken a complete 180 since the beginning of their season.

“The team has really united as a whole,” Richard said.

Richard has had faith in the team and knew it would only be a matter of time before they started to shine, mesh together, and understand one another as teammates.

“Everyone knows their roles and accepts them and truly gives it their all every day,” Richard said. “I ask a lot as a head coach, and these young ladies never cease to amaze me. They keep right on working and earning respect on and off the court.”

Richard is also very proud of her captains, juniors Samantha Loadman and Amy Achesinski. Loadman’s career-high 31 points last weekend and Achesinski’s 1,000 career points and 500 rebounds so far are accomplishments to be pleased with.

Their dominant presence shows the great leadership that the team has.

“The two of them have made it their mission to change the face of women’s basketball here at Mercyhurst, and in just three years they have worked very hard on and off the court to make that difference,” Richard said.

As the PSAC conference continues to get under way, Richard said she can only focus on continued improvement from her Laker basketball team. If they continue to do this and work hard, Richard believes anything is possible.

She adds that it is a great feeling when student athletes expect to win when they step out on the court. With a lot of fight in them, the women are prepared to keep making their coach, their fans, and themselves proud.

“They deserve to be recognized and they have truly earned it,” Richard said.

Despite a tough fall to California University this past weekend, the team expects to get back at it today in their match-up against Erie rival Gannon University.