Maura McAfee and Angelique Gaddy bring different perspectives to their joint roles as captains for the 2015-16 Hope College women's basketball team.
McAfee, a senior and preseason All-American, is driven by her final season. Beginning with tonight's season opener at Defiance, Ohio, these are her last basketball games for the Flying Dutch.
Gaddy, a junior, is excited to be back on the court after missing last season due to injury. She is not scheduled to play today but is expected to see game action soon.
"Mac heading into her senior, that's always a unique viewpoint having been through the program for four years," head coach Brian Morehouse said. "Your understanding you're not going to have another scrimmages. You're not going to have another first day of practice. Geeky sees the joy and possibilities of just being back out on the court after being out for so long.
McAfee and Gaddy are great captains because they complement each other as leaders, Morehouse said.
"They communicate really well together," Morehouse said. "Their message is always the same. When that happens, when it's similar whether they're in the lunchroom, whether they're in the lockerroom or on the court, I think there's a real strength from that."
The 6-foot McAfee is poised to complete her college career among Hope's elite players. The D3Hoops.com Preseason All-American and Midland, Michigan native (Midland HS) is coming off a junior season where she grabbed a school-record 312 rebounds and scored 431 points that tied for the fifth-most in team history.
McAfee needs 38 points to become the 14th member of the Flying Dutch's career 1,000 point club. She needs 194 rebounds to become Hope's all-time leading rebounder.
The 5-4 Gaddy returns after getting hurt on Feb. 18, 2014 at Adrian. The native of Caledonia, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian HS) started all 21 games as a freshman, averaging 7.7 points, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
McAfee and senior guard Autumn Anderson of Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS) are Hope's two returning starters and only seniors on the roster.
The 5-9 Anderson took over the starting point guard spot from Gaddy and helped the Flying Dutch post a 25-5 record and reach the sectional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Hope graduated six seniors, including three starters and its all-time leading 3-point shooter in guard Brittany Berry.
Forward Mandy Traversa is expected to grab a larger role for the Flying Dutch. She averaged 7.8 points off the bench last season. She tied Berry with a DeVos Fieldhouse record 28 points against Albion last season on 10-of-15 shooting from the field and a record 8 3-pointers on 13 attempts.
Other juniors set to contribute are guard forward Elizabeth Perkins of Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Lansing Christian HS), guard Paris Madison of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian HS), guard Mary Gipson of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS), and forward Allison Hedrick of Naperville, Illinois (Neuqua Valley HS).
Four sophomores will see time on the court: guard Madison Geers of Scottville, Michigan (Mason County Central HS), guard Allie Gorcyca of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (Mercy HS), forward/center Heather Randall of Novi, Michigan (Northville HS) and forward/center Jacquelyn Schwark of Fraser, Michigan (Lutheran North HS).
Two freshmen have made Hope's varsity: forward/center Francesca Buchanan of Grant, Michigan (Sparta HS), and guard Victoria Swift of LaGrange, Illinois (Lyons Township HS).
Morehouse said the Flying Dutch are going to count on their entire roster as they have in years past.
"We've going to rely on the team. We've never been a superstar system. I don't anticipate in my 20th season a change of philosophy," Morehouse said. "I think you're going to see a balanced team, an athletic team. Not much drop-off when we sub.
"My goal would be that we would be able to play to our strengths. I think we get the ball up and down the floor pretty well. I think we play well together. I think we should be a pretty good defensive team."
Morehouse is in his 20th season as head coach. He has a career record of 479-76 for a winning percentage of .863 that ranks among the best in Division III.
After the season opener at Defiance, Hope plays the first two of 13 home games this season with its Tipoff Tournament at DeVos Fieldhouse on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21. The Flying Dutch led the nation for the seventh consecutive season in 2014-15.
Hope's request for its 15th Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship begins on Wed., Dec. 2 against Trine at DeVos Fieldhouse. The Flying Dutch were picked second in the MIAA preseason coaches poll.
The Flying Dutch were ranked in the preseason Top 25 polls by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and D3Hoops.com.
"I like the attitude. I like the work ethic. I like the passion," Morehouse said of his team. "Our play in scrimmages reflects that intensity we're showing in practice."
