FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2013
Courtesy of Bentley Athletics Communications
Senior Lauren Battista named Division II
Bulletin Preseason Player of the Year
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley University Falcons, with 11 players back from last year's 30-2 team, has been deemed the preseason favorite in Division II by Women's Division II Bulletin, a monthly newsletter that has covered the sport for 21 years.
The publication also selected Bentley senior forward Lauren Battista as its preseason Player of the Year, guard Courtney Finn as a preseason All-America and senior forward Jacqui Brugliera as a preseason honorable mention All-America.
"Being ranked number one by Women's Division II Bulletin is a tremendous honor as there are a number of teams deserving of that recognition," said Bentley head coach Barbara Stevens, who'll begin the season with 882 career victories. "However, as we all know, there is a long, challenging season to be played."
For the complete Division II Bulletin release, please click here.
Four of Bentley's first six games are against teams that were in the NCAA tournament a year ago, including a season-opening visit to 13th-ranked Holy Family Nov. 9. The Falcons will also face 22nd-ranked Dowling on Nov. 16 in a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II East Regional final, won by the Golden Lions, and tenth-ranked Stonehill on the road a week later.
Stevens' cast of returnees includes seven players in their final year of eligibility, including the triumvirate of Battista, Finn and Brudgliera. The three have combined for 3,680 points, 1,879 rebounds, 503 assists, eight All-Conference awards and an .890 winning percentage during their three years together. All have scored over 1,000 points as collegians.
Preseason Player of the Year is the latest in a long list of accolades for Battista, who helped lead Team USA to the gold in the Maccabiah Games this summer. The versatile six-footer has twice been named to the WBCA Division II All-America team and is also a two-time Capital One NCAA Division II Academic All-America®.
Battista will enter the year 10th on Bentley's all-time scoring list with 1,504 career points and a 15 point-per-game average. Last year, she shot 53 percent overall and 82 percent from the line while providing 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals a game.
"To be named Women's Division II Bulletin's Preseason Player of the Year is an affirmation of the impact Lauren Battista has had on our team's success over the past three years," praised Stevens. "She epitomizes the term student-athlete with her accomplishments on the court and in the classroom."
Finn, a graduate student who joined the 1,000-point club last March, was named to the first-team All-Northeast-10 team following last season and also received honorable mention All-America recognition. She led the Falcons in rebounding (7.1 a game) while also averaging 13.8 points and 2.3 assists.
Brugliera averaged 10.5 points and 6.2 rebounds overall last year, and bumped her production to 15.2 points and 7.2 boards in the postseason. Her career point total stands at 1,125.
Following Bentley in the preseason top five were Clayton State (Ga.), Gannon University (Pa.), Central Missouri and Nova Southeastern (Fla.).
