Women welcome four new faces

The Xavier women's basketball team, coming off an 8-20 season, welcomes four new players to this year's squad. The Musketeers hope that these newcomers will add talent to a roster that is more experienced this season.
Freshmen Jenna Crittendon, Brianna Glover, Kristine Rose and Aliyah Zantt will don Xavier jerseys
for the first time on Nov. 10 against Bucknell University.
This year's freshman class includes
three guards (Crittendon, Rose and Zantt) and one forward (Glover).
Though none of the incoming
players were rated above three stars according to ESPN.com, they will nonetheless
be relied upon to contribute
to Xavier's success
for the 2012-2013 season.
Head coach Amy Waugh was pleased with the progress these incoming
players have made thus far in practice, noting that there is a definite
growing process
for first-year college basketball players.
"We expect them to contribute right away for our team," Waugh said. "Our upperclassmen
have done a great job of bringing
them along so far in practice, which has really
helped their transition."
Unfortunately for the Musketeers, the fifth member of this recruiting class will not suit up for Xavier this year due to a medical condition.
Freshman Ce'Dra Evans was diagnosed with "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy"
and has not been medically cleared to play this season.
While the future for Evans is still unknown at this point, the Musketeers will have to play this season without her.
Waugh was especially impressed
with the progress that Crittendon and Glover have made so far at Xavier.
"We have thrown a lot at them, but they both have been getting better every day," Waugh said. "All of the freshmen have been energized
in practices, which only improves
our team chemistry."
The Musketeers only return six players from last year's team, so the freshmen will receive quality
minutes early and often this season.
If they are able to make a positive impact on the court, the Musketeers will be the benefactors
of more victories this winter.
"We have high expectations for this year's newcomers, but we believe they can handle it," Waugh said.