NJAC Preseason Poll | Schedule | Roster

NEWARK, N.J. (November 14, 2016) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's basketball team tips off its 2016-17 season Tuesday at Centenary College, and the Scarlet Raiders will be working towards a postseason berth come late-February.
 
"We want to play in the conference tournament and that is one of our main goals this year," said second-year Head Coach Ashley Cieplicki. "It's been a great preseason so far. Everyone is excited and we are seeing some great chemistry develop between the new faces and the old."
 
Leading the Scarlet Raiders this year will be senior co-captains Shala Glenn and Maria Simmons. The talented duo will be key for Newark and seems primed to help the Scarlet Raiders find a way into the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.
 
Glenn is a hard worker and someone that has developed into a leader. She has improved her outside shot which will be a major asset when coupled with her speed and driving ability, and with improved consistency she should be in for a career year. Glenn started 24-of-25 games as a junior, averaging 9.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. She added 44 steals and 32 assists to her line and comes into her final season with a total of 498 points, 287 rebounds, 130 assists and 99 steals.
 
Simmons was an all-region, all-conference and All-Met performer as a junior after a sparkling all-around campaign. She poured in 493 points and just 393 field-goal attempts, shooting 46.6 percent from the field. She led the conference in assists, assists per game, steals and steals per game, ending '15-16 fifth in the entire nation in assists per game. She had 20-plus points in 12 contests, leading R-N in scoring, assists and steals.
 
"I am really happy with what I have seen from Maria and Shala so far," added Cieplicki. "It goes without saying that they are incredibly talented players, but they have been doing a great job leading and a great job setting the tone all preseason."
 
Veteran guard Sarah Schwartz is another returner looking to make an impact. A committed and hard-working player, the Roselle, N.J. native will be fighting for minutes in the back court.
 
Junior forward Nicole Skelly has had a solid preseason after making 23 starts and 25 appearances as a sophomore. The now-veteran played 32.9 minutes per game a year ago, averaging 5.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per outing. A player that knows Coach Cieplicki's system well and someone with a high basketball IQ, Skelly could be in for a big year.
 
Junior forward Nikki Sammartino also started 23-of-25 games for Newark in 2015-16 and should be in line for a big role again this year. A player that is willing to do the dirty work underneath and someone that has great energy, Sammartino was third on the Scarlet Raiders in rebounding and second in blocked shots as a sophomore.
 
Sophomores Chelsea Scott and Jocelyn Rodriguez also return to the squad after making 20-plus appearances as rookies. Scott is a strong defender with excellent speed, and brings hustle and energy to the court each and every day. Rodriguez has demonstrated a lot of growth from freshman-to-sophomore year and has a nose for the ball on both the offensive and defensive glass. With improved consistency, Rodriguez could be a key for Rutgers-Newark.
 
The Scarlet Raider coaching staff has brought in a very talented group of newcomers this year. Sophomore transfer Faith Ashby has fit right into everything Rutgers-Newark is doing and is an immensely talented and well-rounded player with a high basketball IQ. Sister Hannah Ashby is a shooter and great player to have around, bringing wonderful energy and leadership to the team despite being just a freshman. Freshman Genesis Bayron is also a good shooter, and she is working hard on adjusting to the college game, while Louise Ann Borja brings incredible energy to the floor each day. Borja is well-rounded and should have an impact on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Rookie Emani Formeus-Marshall will miss time due to injury this year, but she promises to bring toughness and rebounding to the Raiders upon her return. Freshman guard-forward Autumn Webster has a lot of talent and with continued improvement and adjustment to the college game will be a contributor on both ends of the court for Rutgers-Newark throughout her career.
 
"All-in-all I have been pleased with our preseason," said Cieplicki. "This group wants to win and is practicing like it and that has been great to see."
 
After opening the season Tuesday, Rutgers-Newark will play in the Mayor's Cup at Hartwick College Saturday and Sunday. The team opens NJAC play at New Jersey City University on Tuesday, November 22, with the home-opener at The Golden Dome on Saturday, December 3. Senior Night is slated for February 11 at The Dome with the NJAC Tournament starting Saturday, December 18.
 
"We are hoping to be a quicker, more aggressive team this year," said Cieplicki when asked about the Raiders' playing style. "If we play to our strengths, continue to improve and come ready to play each night, I think we will be able to compete in every game."
 
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