Reading, Pa. (Nov. 15, 2013) - Alvernia University Women's Basketball made wholesale roster changes for the 2013-14 season with just seven of the 17 players on the roster carryovers from a season ago.

The Crusaders do return four of five starters from last year's team led by sophomore Chelsea Ebersole (Palmyra, Pa. / Palmyra) who averaged 14.4 points.  Ebersole finished the season strong averaging 18.5 points in the final four games of the season accounting for nearly 25 percent of the teams scoring.  She broke a 15 year old 3-pointer record by making 96 her freshman year--a number that put her second in the nation in 3s made.  She was named Commonwealth Honorable Mention, one of only two freshmen on the All-Conference team.

Stevie Fortna (Lebanon, Pa. / Lebanon Catholic) also recorded double digit scoring for the 2012-13 season.  The freshman combo of Ebersole and Fortna tallied 136 made 3-pointers and accounted for over 41 percent of scoring for the team (612-1,468).  Fortna led the team with 60 steals.  Her best game came against commonwealth opponent Stevenson when she scored a personal-best 22 making 4-of-6 from behind the arc.

Alvernia's assist leader from last season is also returning, Kaitlyn Yoh (Wernersville, Pa. / Conrad Weiser) averaged four assists per game.  Yoh also has the best field goal percentage of the returning players (.393).  One of her best games came against Alfred University she was 6-11 from the field scoring 13 points and eight assists.

The team was rounded out with Brittany Young (Columbus, N.J. / North Burlington) a key member of the starting rotation who was able to reach the line of scrimmage 85 times the most for any returner.  There are many additions to the women's team including nine incoming freshman.

The Crusaders are selected 8th in the Commonwealth Preseason Coaches Poll.  Alvernia will open there season against Gallaudet University at the Washington & Lee Tip-Off on November 16th at 8:00 p.m.  Gallaudet finished six out of seven teams in the NEAC South Division with a 5-13 record.  The Crusaders open up their conference schedule at Stevenson University on November 23rd at 6:00 p.m., the Mustangs are ranked one higher than the Crusaders at 7th.

The Commonwealth Championships tip off with a 4/5 quarterfinal game on Monday, February 24th with the Championship game scheduled for Saturday, March 1st.

Commonwealth Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

1)	Lebanon Valley	77 (6)
2)	Messiah	73 (3)
3)	Widener	64 (1)
4)	Albright	52
5)	Elizabethtown	47
6)	Lycoming	36
7)	Stevenson	33
8)	Alvernia	29
9)	Arcadia	24
10)	Hood	15

(*) denotes first place votes