Believe it or not, the end of the fall semester will be upon us sooner rather than later. However, for one group of Colonels, the focus has shifted to the start of a new season. 

Currently sitting with a record of 2-1 in the early going, the Wilkes women’s basketball team has three games under their belt, the most recent being a home victory against Saint Elizabeth University on Nov. 14. 

With a wide-range of players this season, the Colonels welcomed back some previous stars, as well as a big group of new faces for Head Coach Al Berger.

Returning to the squad this season are Maliyah Warren, Madison Robel, Carolyn Lundy, Yami Matos, Reagan Holden, Kyleen McCance, Dana Wartzenluft, Madison Olguin and Delaney Bogdan. 

The new group of Colonels includes Charlotte Taylor, Addison Place, Anya Richet, Aivry Devoy, Delaney Moyer, Izzi Toland and Mercedes Artaiz. 

The new group of Colonels is already impressing Berger with their defensive capabilities. 

“The best part is that we have young players who add defense and rebounding, which were areas we needed significant help with.

Offense will come, but being able to trust our new people in our defense has been extremely valuable,” he said. 

On the coaching side, Berger is joined by Haley Bestrycki. Bestrycki, a former assistant at Keystone College, joined the Colonels after the departure of John Perez. 

It’s safe to say that the 2024-25 season for the Wilkes women’s basketball team did not go exactly to plan as they went winless. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t one to remember, but for Berger, it’s all about moving forward. 

“We are a much different team this year. Our 16-player roster is almost ½ new people. Our returners learned from last year, but our group is very different and we’re moving forward.”

Many returners as well as a big group of starters has combined into a success story early on this season for Berger and his team. 

The Colonels open their Landmark Conference campaign tonight against Lycoming College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from Williamsport, Pa  

Later in December, the team will travel down to Puerto Rico for their winter tournament. There, they’ll take on Kenyon College and Western Connecticut State. 

Between now and then though, it’s a mixture of Landmark and non-conference matchups. 

But when the spring semester begins, it’s all Landmark as the Colonels look to improve off of last season’s results.