GUELPH, ON - The University of Guelph women's basketball will officially tip off their 2016-17 OUA regular season schedule this Saturday (November 5) at Western. Before the regular season opener gets underway, here is a quick look at your 2016-17 Gryphons.


PREVIEW: It will be a new-look squad when the Gryphons take the court in 2016-17, with all five starters from last year's squad no longer with the program. The Gryphons enter the season with one of the youngest rosters in the country, with not a single player in their fourth or fifth year on the 2016-17 team. Third year guards Megan Brenkel and Haley Belyk will be counted on to shoulder the scoring load, while third year forward Quincy Sickles-Jarvis will anchor the Gryphons in the post. The Gryphons will look to carry some of the momentum from last season's success into this year, as the Gryphons are coming off of a year in which they picked up their first playoff win since 2007.


COACH'S QUOTE:  "Despite our relative lack of experience, we have a hard-working group who are eager to prove they belong at this level. Several of our returning players will get the chance to step into a regular starter's role for the first time in their university careers and we're excited about what our six incoming rookies will bring to this program." ~ Mark Walton (1^st season as Head Coach)


Key Returners: Haley Belyk, Megan Brenkel, Sarah Holmes, Samantha Renshaw
 
Departures: Bridget Atkinson, Kate MacTavish, Dana Van Balkom, Barbara Inrig-Pieterse, Kate Yallin, Vanessa Rampado
 
Recruits: Ally Peek, Nyasha Mombeshora, Hanna Pryce
 
Best Outside Threat: Megan Brenkel
 
Scoring: Haley Belyk
 
Rebounder: Quincy Sickles-Jarvis
 
Defender: Haley Belyk
 
Ballhandler: Megan Brenkel
 
Distributor: Samantha Renshaw