| George Fox is missing more
than just Hannah Munger, with three starters graduating from last
season's runner-up team. Jamie Roos has stepped into the lineup and
leads the Bruins in scoring through three games. George Fox athletics file photo |
In a way, George Fox women's basketball coach Michael Meek sees the benefit of his team being without preseason All-American post player Hannah Munger, a 6-5 presence, despite the Bruins’ slower than expected 1-2 start.
"It wasn't an ideal start," Meek said. "I felt like we got stronger throughout the weekend."
It's a stark contrast from last season when the Bruins lone loss was in the title game to Illinois Wesleyan.
"Honestly, it's been great for our kids," Meek said. "We will have moments when she is not on court. I feel it's just going to build and make us stronger. We have a bunch of really good players."
Munger, a senior, tore her ACL after playing just five minutes in the title game last season and hasn't played since. Last year she averaged 14.2 points a game and 9.3 rebounds per game and was the West Region Player of the Year. Three other starters from 2011-12 were seniors and did not return either, leaving last year’s runners-up a little young.
Munger's rehab has gone favorably, Meek says, however, and she could return any time. Munger has a high probability of returning by the conference season opener on Dec. 22 against visiting Pacific.
"I expect her to take some time to get in game shape, but she looks wonderful," Meek said. "She looks strong and she worked hard on her rehab. I don't think there is any question she won't be back for league play as long as things continue to progress well."
In Munger's absence, McKenzie Wolfe and Megan Hays have been trying to fill the role as best as possible. Hays started and tallied 11 points and six rebounds in the team's first win of the year, a 75-44 triumph against Cal Lutheran Saturday.
"She's done a great job," Meek said. "She prepared herself really nicely and clearly had her best game against Cal Lu."
Munger, the Bruins’ all-time leading shot blocker, won’t be the lone starter to come back this season as Megan Arnoldy (8.0 points per game last season, 36 points in three games this season) and Hayley Cusick (5.4 points then, 6.3 per game now) return. Jamie Roos, a backup guard averaging 19 minutes per game as a freshman last year, leads the team with 12.7 points per game.
"When she comes back, we have a pretty nice base of experienced kids," Meek said.
