Penn State women’s basketball looks for bounce back season with returning talent
Penn State looks to bounce back after a tough 11-18 season last year. With that being said, coach Carolyn Kieger returns a lot of her talent from last year and arguably has the most talented roster she’s had during her tenure in University Park.
Kieger will have her star player from last season in senior guard Makenna Marisa. Marisa has garnered some national praise for her talents, and was selected to the Nancy Lieberman Award watchlist. Marisa was one of 20 players selected to the list for the award given to the best point guard in the nation.
Marisa was also selected to the preseason All-Big Ten team as well, and is regarded as one of the top players within the conference. Marisa averaged over 22 points per game a season ago, and will need to be great again this year to lead the Lady Lions to success in the tough Big Ten conference.
The Lady Lions also return guard Leilani Kapinus who is coming off a phenomenal redshirt freshman season. Kapinus started every game last season and ranked inside the top 10 all time in blocks, steals and rebounds by a freshman at Penn State.
The Big Ten All-Freshman Team member is expected to see her role increase in her second year and could be an even more impactful force on both ends. If Penn State is successful this year, expect Kapinus to be a huge reason why on both ends of the floor.
Kieger’s squad relied heavily on Kapinus and Marisa a year ago, but should get help from Notre Dame transfer Alli Campbell. The Altoona native was a highly touted recruit coming out of Bellwood-Antis High Schoo, transferring to Penn State after one year in South Bend.
Campbell was unable to make her debut last season due to injury, but looks to play a key role for the Lady Lions this year. Campbell has been described by the coaching staff as versatile on both ends with the ability to stretch the floor at the forward position, making her a perfect fit for Kieger’s squad.
In the fourth year in the Kieger era at Penn State, the Lady Lions have improved in win totals every year from seven wins in year one to 11 a season ago. A huge reason for that is the continued building of culture within the Lady Lions program led by the veteran leaders on the team.
One of the leaders Kieger has relied on is senior Anna Camden, who has been a leader in the locker room and in the community. Camden’s presence within the community running basketball camps for youth as well as being a vocal leader for the team helps create an environment for the team to thrive at a high level.
This season will be challenging for a Penn State team that is still improving in Kieger’s fourth year at the helm. In the grind of the Big Ten conference, there will be challenges for the Lady Lions, but with the leaders ingrained in the program as well as new faces, expect Penn State to take another step in the right direction this season.
Adam Sheetz is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
