But the season hasn’t even started and the Siena women’s team has already suffered more than its share.
Not only will the Saints open the 2024-25 season against Army West Point on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the UHY Center, but they will also open the 2024-25 season without three players – Valencia Fontenelle-Posson, Allison O’Hanlon and Alden Yergey – who will not play in the opener. It is expected. About to be out of season.
It was a particularly shocking development for Guilderland graduate Fontenelle-Posson, who missed most of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. This time, she injured her left knee during a preseason scrimmage.
O’Hanlon, a former Duanesburg High School star who scored more than 2,500 points for the Eagles and holds the NYSPHSAA career 3-point record, had foot surgery, and Yergey, a sophomore who averaged 21 minutes in 28 games last season, is out with an undisclosed injury.
When asked what all this means for the Saints, who were ranked second in the MAAC in the preseason coaches poll, new Siena coach Terry Prim said: “Now we are ready to go.
“Next girl. It’s a family matter. We’re always preparing for whatever role anyone can play, and we love each other so much that I think they’ll step up and prepare. I was heartbroken for each of them. We are all one team. “We have to go out there and have a season for them because when something like that happens, it’s a terrible thing.”
“It’s just the next player. The team we have today is the team we are working with,” said graduate student Ahniysha Jackson. “Hearing about that situation again after the last one, I feel really bad for her (Fontenelle-Posson) right now. But I am here for her and I will do everything I can for her.”
Siena will also play its first three games without junior Teresa Seppala, who averaged 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds last year and was a first-team All-MAAC preseason selection.
She is back in Finland playing for her country in the European Championships qualifiers in the spring.
Primm, who was promoted from assistant coach following Jim Javir’s retirement, is looking forward to providing playing time to other players, including freshmen.
“I try to keep it all about growth. Because it’s wrong to get too ahead of yourself,” he said. “It’s too early to be frustrated and disappointed about everything.
It’s all about challenges. So if we can challenge ourselves and play faster, we can also challenge ourselves to become stronger and more versatile.”
The Saints beat American International 80-48 in an open exhibition Friday at the UHY Center.
Esther Toury (16 points), Jackson (14 points), Anaja Brown (12 points) and freshman Aniyah Hooker (11 points) scored in double figures.
Jackson and Brown were each named to the All-MAAC second team, so with a core that includes them and Seppala, expect the Saints to still be a force in the conference despite the injuries.
“I would say the expectations are pretty much the same as last season,” Brown said. “I think Terry makes us believe in him a lot more. If that makes sense. He is very persistent about making sure everyone believes in the same goal.”
“Coach Prim is the tip of the spear and the guy who brings the energy,” Jackson said. “We give that energy back to him and put it on the court.” “We had pretty high hopes last season and we have high hopes this season too. Wednesday will be a big game for us and we are very excited.”
Primm accelerated the already fast attacking tempo installed by Jabir.
Brown said based on the AIC game, the Saints are still adjusting to it.
“By Terry’s standards, I would say no.” She laughed when asked if they were playing as fast as expected. “We can always play a lot faster, we can always play a lot harder. He is literally always trying to push our limits. “It’s tiring, but it’s really fun.”
For Jackson, a graduate of Albany High School in Watervliet, Wednesday’s game will be his fifth season opener in the green and gold.
“I feel good. “I think this will be my last year and my last trip,” she said with a smile. “It will be fun. It feels good just to wear the Siena jersey. Not many people have the opportunity to do this. I am a local. “I live five minutes away and it feels great to have a supportive community here.”
“I wish I had a whole team, but I always feel like there is a silver lining in the struggle,” Primm said. “So we will find it.”
