Sophomore Lindsay Sydness ended the season leading the conference in blocked shots (4.5 per game), rebounds (10.8 per game), and points scored (16.1 per game). Leading the conference in these three categories and receiving Player of the Week twice during the regular season, solidified Sydness’ spot on the St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference First Team All-Conference and All-Defensive Team. Another outstanding performance was put in this season by freshman Sarah Corbitt who, other than playing the most minutes (32.4 per game) for this year’s squad, also led the SLIAC conference in steals (3.2 per game), and was third overall in points scored (13.6 per game).
This season for the Lady Panther basketball program was truly a blessing to behold. Starting the season with just seven players, four of whom were incoming freshmen, the season had been labeled as a “rebuilding” year for Principia women’s basketball. Truth be told, rebuilding did take place, but not in the ways expected. Instead, rebuilding was evident in the recreation of tradition as the Lady Panthers consistently set new records and shattered others’ expectations. Several individual records were set, including the in-game free throw streak set by junior Emily Wheeler with hitting 21 consecutive free throws, as well as the new blocking record set by sophomore Lindsay Sydness, logging 112 blocks in this season alone (#2 in the Nation for Div. III). As a team in the SLIAC, Principia finished #1 in free-throw shooting (69.2%). A standout game was the win over St. Mary’s of the Woods College (55-51), as the Lady Panthers played with the most unity and poise shown all season. Principia won the tip off and scored on the next possession from an Emily Wheeler pass to back door cutter Sarah Corbitt good for the first two points on the board. The Corbitt sisters were unstoppable, hitting back-to-back three-pointers and creating many fast breaks together. Sarah Corbitt hit four 3-pointers, for the total of 18 points and 9 rebounds; junior Dani Corbitt hit two critical 3-pointers; and freshman Dani Carney added in a 3-pointer nearing the end of the first half. Freshmen Shannon Briggs had a stunning drive to the hoop for the score, drew the foul, and knocked down her free-throw. Senior Lyndsay Eaton was also finished a solid drive, good for two! Leader and commander, Emily Wheeler, shot many clutch free-throws down to the wire, shooting 8-8, and also finished with 14 points and 4 assists. Lindsay Sydness had more of an impact on the defensive end, adding in 2 blocks, 3 steals, and 9 defensive rebounds. The Lady Panthers will be working hard in the off season to further build upon their success, to create the possibility of an exciting 2010-2011 season.