Dialog reporter
and Jason Winchell
For The Dialog
MILLTOWN – Another new era of St. Mark’s girls basketball begins Thursday, as the Spartans welcome Archmere for a 7:15 p.m. start. The team is working under its third coach in three seasons, although Val Karch is a familiar face. She’s been a varsity assistant and junior varsity coach for 17 seasons. Karch was named to the varsity post just a few weeks ago, and although the timing was not ideal, she already knows the system, the school and the girls.
The Spartans welcome back senior Kaitlynn Wolff, who tore her Achillies last season. According to Karch, she and junior Emily Coyle have stepped up as leaders during the preseason, and sophomore Kendra Schweizer “is still our ball of energy who gives 110 percent at all times,” the coach said. Other players to watch include sophomores Angel Lorang, Natalie Alessandrini and Kara Dougherty, and freshmen Kayla Wolff and Delaney Carey.
Karch is particularly excited by the underclassmen. “Whatever they might lack in minutes played, they more than make up for in ability.”
“I think fans can expect to see a young, talented team who will be getting back to traditional St. Mark’s-style basketball,” Karch said, “with a focus on defensive intensity and controlled play while at the same time looking to push the ball upcourt more than we have in the past.”
The Spartans finished last season 6-15, falling in the first round of the state tournament. In addition to a difficult Catholic Conference schedule, St. Mark’s will face Concord, A.I. DuPont, and Caravel, and they are also in the Diamond State Classic. Karch said the goal this season is to get back to the playoffs.
“No one expects anything from us, and we are looking forward to capitalizing on that,” she said.
Schedule (Home games in CAPS)
12/08/15 @ William Penn 5:15 pm (postponed)
12/10/15 ARCHMERE 7:15 pm
12/11/15 CONCORD 7:15 pm
12/15/15 @ Brandywine 5:15 pm
12/19/15 ST. GEORGES TECH 1 :30 pm
12/27/15 vs Oxford High (Pa.) @ St E Center 11:45 am Diamond State Classic
12/28/15 vs William Penn or Friends @ St E Center 10:45 am or 4 pm Diamond State Classic
01/05/16 @ Conrad 5 pm
01/07/16 @ Padua 7:15 pm
01/09/16 @ A.I. DuPont 12:pm
01/12/16 DELAWARE MILITARY ACADEMY 12:30 pm
01/21/16 @ St. Elizabeth 7:15 pm
01/29/16 URSULINE 7:15 pm
02/02/16 CAESAR RODNEY 7:15 pm
02/04/16 ST. ELIZABETH 7:15 pm
02/06/16 @ Wilmington Christian 1:30 pm
02/09/16 PADUA 7:30 pm
02/11/16 CARAVEL 7:15 pm
02/13/16 @ Ursuline 7 pm
02/16/16 CHARTER 7:15 pm
