NORTHFIELD, VT. – Returning three of the program's top five scorers from last season look to put Norwich University women's basketball in strong shape for 2011-12 at least on paper.

However, third-year head coach Mark Zacher knows there will be growing pains.

"It will be tough to replace players the likes of Christine Daniels and Laurel McWilliams," he said. "They both did so much to make us successful.

"But with that being said, we do have the good news of four experienced starters in Karissa Doyon, Andrea Vogt, Jessalyn Sweeney, and Kristin Brown back to help lead us," he added. "In total, we have nine players returning who played last year."

Doyon, a senior from Beecher Falls, Vt., averaged 16.7 points per game and picked up 59 steals and was tied for the team lead in made three-point baskets (26) en route to first team all-Great Northeast Athletic Conference honors in 2010-11. Vogt, a junior from Dedham, Mass., averaged 6.4 points per game in 15 starts, and Brown, a sophomore from Williamstown, Vt., started in all 26 games en route to a 4.9 points per game average.

Doyon and Vogt look to share responsibilities on the wings, while Brown is the team's top returner at point guard, according to Zacher. Sweeney, a native of Stanfordville, N.Y., adds to the perimeter depth after starting 13 games prior to suffering a season-ending knee injury. In-coming freshmen Aliah Curry (Windsor, Mass.) and Kelsey Lotti (South Yarmouth, Mass.) also will be part of the mix.

"Obviously, our immediate strength will be on the perimeter," the Cadets' coach said. "With the returning experience and some solid newcomers, we'll be able to continue to do what we like on offense which is push the basketball."

While the perimeter potential is a plus, Zacher admits the inside play will initially be a challenge. Senior Jocelyn Fasulo (Contoocook, N.H.) has experience after starting in eight games and appearing in all 26 a year ago. She averaged just under four points and three rebounds per game.

"Jocelyn can do some good things for us," Zacher said. "We look for her to lead us inside."

Norwich also has junior Kristine Brammer (Littleton, N.H.), who played in 15 games in 2010-11, senior Kelsey Knapp (Brandon, Vt.) who played in 19 games, and freshman Katrina Laidlaw (Dunblane, Scotland) at its disposal at the post. "Kristine and Katrina each have potential to give us some strong play," Zacher said.

"The post position has seen some truly quality players go through our program over the past few seasons," he added. "We will have to see how quickly it develops this year. .  We may look at playing a little smaller early on, as we are very strong on the perimeter.   This will allow our post play to develop.  But, as always, though, we will be looking to score the ball off of our defense which is something that we have become accustomed to doing."

Norwich opens the 2011-12 campaign against traditional rival Plattsburgh State Nov. 15 with a 5:30 p.m. tipoff inside Andrews Gymnasium. Other highlights on the Cadets' schedule include the annual Ed Hockenbury Classic Dec. 2 and 3, a home clash with in-state rival Middlebury Dec. 6 and the opening of GNAC play Jan. 7.

NOTES – Zacher hopes year three is much like the first two where the Maroon and Gold posted 15-or-more wins in each, including a 20-8 record and ECAC Tournament bid in 2009-10. … Doyon was no stranger to the box scores in 2010-11. She led the team in scoring 11 times including the first six games in a row.