January 5, 2006

Vespa will lead William Smith ou west as the Herons embark on a three-game swing. (photo by Kevin Colton)

GENEVA, N.Y.—Under the direction of Interim Head Coach Lindsay Drury, the William Smith women’s basketball team will compete in the 23rd Annual Purple & Gold Poet Classic Tournament, hosted by Whittier College, on Jan. 5-6. The field includes Liberty League rival Vassar College, Wheaton (Ill.), Whittier, as well as the Herons.

William Smith will conclude its three-game West-coast swing at 9 p.m. EST on Jan. 8, when the Herons tangle with the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags, located in Claremont, Calif.

William Smith (4-2) opens the tournament against the eighth-ranked Wheaton (Ill.) Thunder on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. EST before facing the host, Whittier Poets, at 9 p.m. EST the following evening.

Offensively, the Herons are led by the sharp shooting of sophomore guard Marisa Vespa (Immaculate Heart/Watertown, N.Y.). The 2005 Liberty League Rookie of the Year averages 11.8 points per game, while dishing out a team-best 23 assists.

William Smith’s relentless defense, which has held five opponents under 66 points this season, is led by senior guard Pria Young (Council Rock/Richboro, Pa.). The 2005 first-team Liberty League selection has controlled the defensive boards (30), averaging 6.2 rebounds per game, while igniting the transition game with a conference-leading 28 steals.

For a complete schedule and updated scores, please visit the Whittier Tournament homepage.

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