1/3/2007 - (Riverdale, NY) - A year ago, first year Mount Saint Vincent Head Women's Basketball Coach Ed Ryder saw his team mired in a slump almost from day one. The Dolphins began the year 2-2, but an eight-game losing streak put the Mount at 2-10 during the early stages of 2006, and the Dolphins never fully recovered. After graduating one of the best senior classes in the history of the program and boasting a 2006-07 line-up that includes eight freshmen, Ryder and company expected a rebuilding year, however much

Freshman Courtney Heesemann was named the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week after registering her fourth double-double of the season during a 75-37 win over Yeshiva on Dec. 19.

to his delight the team has surpassed expectations, opening the campaign by winning five of their first seven games, and now for the second time this season a Dolphin has earned Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week honors as freshman Courtney Heesemann (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park HS) was awarded this week after an incredible effort during a 75-37 win over Yeshiva on Dec. 19.

Heesemann, who currently leads the Mount in both scoring (15.4 points per game) and rebounding (9.3 per game), notched her fourth double-double of the 2006-07 campaign against Yeshiva, scoring 21 points and adding 11 rebounds during an outstanding individual effort. She also registered a career-high three blocked shots as the Dolphins improved to 2-0 in Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference (HVWAC) play. The previous Mount Saint Vincent Women's Basketball player to earn Rookie of the Week honors was freshman Karissa Koerner (Bay Shore, NY/Brentwood HS), who received the honor during the week of Dec. 11.

Mount Saint Vincent is now 5-3 overall after a loss to NYU on Tuesday evening and returns to action on Monday, Jan. 8 when they travel to face USMMA-Kings Point at 7:00 p.m. for a Skyline Conference match-up.