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5 Key Takeaways On The Wilkes University Women's Basketball Colonels' 2024-2025 Season Outlook

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The Wilkes University Women's Basketball team, known as the Colonels, is embarking on a pivotal 2024-2025 season, aiming to build a new foundation of success in the highly competitive Landmark Conference. This season marks a crucial phase under second-year Head Coach Al Berger, who is focused on establishing a sustainable culture and improving upon the program's inaugural year in its new conference. The excitement surrounding the 25-game schedule, announced in the fall, is palpable as the team looks to surprise opponents and climb the league standings from their preseason tenth-place projection. The Colonels’ journey is defined by a commitment to growth within the NCAA Division III landscape, with the Marts Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, serving as the home court for their ambitious campaign. With a blend of returning talent and new recruits, the team is poised to showcase a more cohesive and competitive style of play, challenging established Landmark Conference powerhouses like the University of Scranton. The focus remains on individual player development, tactical consistency, and securing key conference victories to make a strong statement in their second year of transition.

The Leadership Core: Coach Al Berger and the All-Conference Star

The success of the Wilkes University Women's Basketball program hinges on the synergy between its coaching staff and its most impactful players. This season is anchored by the continued tenure of Head Coach Al Berger and the dynamic play of their returning All-Conference guard.

Head Coach Al Berger: A New Era Architect

Al Berger was appointed the Head Coach by Director of Athletics Addy Malatesta, ushering in a new era for the Colonels. Berger is now in his second full season at the helm for the 2024-2025 campaign, bringing a clear vision for the program's future. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, execution, and a high-energy approach, which he previously developed as the Head Coach at Keystone College from 2021 to 2023. During his time at Keystone, Berger successfully mentored multiple All-CSAC players, demonstrating his ability to develop Division III talent. Now, working from his office in the Marts Center 124, his primary goal is to translate that development success into consistent Landmark Conference victories for the Colonels.

Yamirelis Matos: The All-Landmark Guard

The undeniable star and statistical leader for Wilkes is guard Yamirelis Matos. Matos, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Chicopee High School, proved her elite status by being named to the 2023-24 All-Landmark Second Team as a sophomore. Her performance was a major highlight in the team's first season in the Landmark Conference, where she frequently made her offensive presence known, earning an Athlete of the Week award during the season. As a crucial returner for 2024-2025, Matos's ability to score, distribute, and lead will be instrumental in the Colonels' pursuit of a winning record. Her leadership and high-level performance set the benchmark for the rest of the team.

The Landmark Conference Challenge: Navigating Division III's Elite

The Wilkes University Colonels made the transition to the Landmark Conference for the 2023-2024 season, marking a significant shift in their competitive landscape. This move has placed the program in a highly competitive NCAA Division III environment, presenting both substantial challenges and immense opportunities.

A Steeper Competitive Slope

The Landmark Conference is known for its strong women's basketball programs, including nationally ranked teams. This heightened competition was immediately evident, as the Colonels were selected tenth in the Landmark Preseason Poll for the 2024-2025 season. The opening of the 2024-2025 conference slate saw the Colonels face a tough test against the No. 3 University of Scranton, a clear indicator of the caliber of opponents they will face throughout their 18-game conference schedule. The team’s 2023-2024 record stood at 9-16 overall, with a 5-13 mark in conference play, demonstrating moments of competitiveness but also the need for consistency against top-tier Landmark foes. The challenge is to improve the overall scoring margin and defensive efficiency to compete with the conference's established elite.

Key Returners and Roster Depth

To meet this challenge, the Colonels rely on a mix of experienced players and promising youth. Beyond Yamirelis Matos, the roster features other key entities poised to make an impact in 2024-2025. * Madison Robel: A veteran Center, Robel provides a crucial presence in the paint, bringing size and rebounding to the Colonels' defensive strategy. * Maliyah Warren: As a Sophomore Forward, Warren is expected to step into a larger role, utilizing her 6'0" height to contribute to both scoring and rebounding. * Charlotte Taylor: A Freshman Guard, Taylor represents the future of the program. Her development is key to building sustainable depth in the backcourt. The development of these players, alongside the leadership of Matos, is essential for the team to navigate the demanding schedule and improve their conference standing. The focus on short-term success is balanced with the long-term goal of becoming a perennial contender in the Landmark Conference.

The 2024-2025 Season: Schedule Highlights and Future Outlook

The 2024-2025 schedule is carefully constructed to prepare the Colonels for the rigors of Landmark Conference play, mixing challenging non-conference matchups with the demanding league slate.

Non-Conference Tune-Ups

The 25-game schedule includes several non-conference games designed to test the team early and build chemistry. A notable early matchup was the season opener against Albright College on November 9th. These early contests are vital for Head Coach Al Berger to assess the team's strengths and weaknesses before the heart of the Landmark schedule begins. They provide the necessary experience for underclassmen and help solidify the rotation for the season ahead.

The Path to the Landmark Tournament

The ultimate goal for the Wilkes Women's Basketball team is to secure a spot in the Landmark Conference Tournament. Given the team’s preseason ranking, this will require significant improvement and a few crucial upsets. The 18 conference games are the priority, with every victory playing a critical role in the standings. Key conference matchups against opponents like the University of Scranton and other regional rivals will define the success of the season. The Colonels have the talent in players like Yamirelis Matos and the structure under Coach Berger to exceed expectations. Their ability to minimize turnovers, improve their assist-to-turnover ratio (which was 0.5 in 2023-2024), and execute consistently on the road will be the deciding factors in their quest to become a competitive force in the Landmark Conference. The 2024-2025 season is not just about wins and losses; it is about establishing a culture of winning and proving that Wilkes University Women's Basketball belongs among the top tier of NCAA Division III programs.
wilkes university women's basketball
wilkes university women's basketball

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