Bobby Martinez – Sports Reporter
After selecting this year’s Women’s Basketball team captains, head coach Bert DeSalvo, added two walk-ons in freshman Abby Hurlbert and junior Liz McKinley completing his 15 women roster for this upcoming 2014-15 season.
DeSalvo, who is in his first full year as Owls head coach, had to make some tough decisions regarding his team this year. Hurlbert attended Thomaston High School in Thomaston, CT., where she was All-State and All-League selection for field hockey, basketball and softball. In addition, Hurlbert helped her softball and basketball team capture a state championship as well.
DeSalvo said Hurlbert provides his team with numerous skillsets that can help benefit his team this season.
“Abby can step back and stretch the floor and shoot behind the arc which can help our team out a lot,” said DeSalvo.
Hurlbert said prior to the tryouts she was unsure what exactly DeSalvo was looking for, but she made sure she gave a 100 percent in every drill.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Hurlbert. “I just made sure I was running as hard as I can up and down the court and get as much rebounds as I can because I really wanted to make the team.”
Hurlbert initially reached out to DeSalvo asking for an opportunity to show him what she is capable of doing on the court, she said. The Owls this season are hoping to have a much better season than they have had over the years under former head coach Meghan Brown. In doing so, Hurlbert said she can help this team in several ways and is hoping she can be able to display her talents on the court this season.
“I been working on my strength and conditioning with the coaches so I can help get as much rebounds as I can and move the ball up and down the court,” she said.
As for the second player chosen by DeSalvo, is a familiar face to the Owl nation. For the 2012-13 season, a team that finished with a 7-18 record, McKinley was at center for that Owls squad where she appeared in just two games.
With this selection, DeSalvo said he wanted size because he does have a lot of guards on the roster. Due to the NCAA rules with transfer students, McKinley has to redshirt this season as a junior but said she will still help her team out as much as she can from the sidelines.
“My role this season is to get everyone better,” she said. “I can’t play in games so I am personally going to go out and kick everyone’s butt in practice and be the opponent they don’t want to play against.”
McKinley, who attended Tourtellotte Memorial High School (Thompson CT.), said coming back to play in an Owls uniform is a good feeling because she considers this school as “home.”
“Coach (DeSalvo) came late in the season last year so players really don’t know him that much, she said. “But it’s great to see the team show progress after each and every practice. It’s really awesome to see how much we have been growing as a team and I don’t think we seen this much growth in such a short time period before.”
With both players making the roster, DeSalvo said he told the players that there are no promises on being able to play. He said they must earn everything this season and that not only goes for Hulbert and McKinley, but also for every other player on the roster.
“They can come in and they can earn playing time,” said DeSalvo, “but at the same time if they don’t, they’re expected to cheer on their teammates and be positive role models on campus, serve the community and be great in the classroom.”
Photo Credit: Gonzalo Andres
