Following yesterday’s heartbreaking loss to Alfred State 59-62 Hilbert’s Women’s Basketball team falls to 0-4 on the season.  

This is the third straight year in which the Hawks had started the year 0-4 or worse. However, the Hawks have qualified for the playoffs despite slow starts the past two seasons. With the departure of notable players Macy Kissner and Ashley Schroeder, Head Coach Nicole Bullock said it is going to take a little while for this team to find its identity. 

“I think it’s gonna take some time for this group to develop their identity because it’s different,” Bullock said. “We’ve had Macy and Smash (Ashley Schroeder) for so long and to be honest with you, everybody but Kayla Johnson has been around those two. Now that they’re gone and bringing Kayla in, I think we’re still trying to figure out who we really are going to be as a team and like where do we go in this situation, where and who needs to step up and do all those type of things.” 

Despite the slow start Bullock remains encouraged the Hawks can turn things around. 

“I’m still encouraged because it’s not like we’re out of these games,” she said. “Yes we’re 0-4, but two of them have been by one possession so we easily could be 2-2 right now so it’s just a matter of continuing to stay the course because we’re still trying to figure out who we are and what direction we’re trying to go.” 

“We’ve always had like two major impact players and then it was just kind of like the rest would just kind of follow, so I do think this team is much more balanced, much more has the ability to share and make shots on from different spots,” said Bullock. 

Facing a confident Penn State Altoona team Saturday coming off a blowout win over rival Pitt Greensburg, Bullock believes a major key to beating the lions Saturday is being prepared for their press. 

“Handling a press is going to be a big-time key for us,” she said. “Everyone’s going to watch our games and see that handling a press is something that we really struggle with and so they’re just going to press us so until we really try and embrace that and get better at handling a press that’s always going to be at the forefront of something that we have to focus on.” 

Bullock also mentioned how historically her teams play well in the Adler Center, the home gymnasium to the Lions. 

“I’m not going to lie to you,” she said. “Our team in the past loves that gym it shoots really well in that gym so we’re a little bit more excited.” 

Under Bullock the Hawks are 2-0 at the Adler Arena with players Makenzie Catan and Alesia Hamm having exemplary performances, combining to shoot over 47% from the field. 

Tip-off is Saturday December 2 at 1pm at the Adler Arena.