Albany's women's basketball program is entering a pivotal season as it welcomes a new head coach, Kelly Morrone, who takes the reins of a team that finished last year with a modest 14‑16 record.
A Fresh Coaching Era
Morrone inherits a roster that has been stripped down to just two veterans, guard Lara Langermann and forward Emma Zuccon, while the rest of the lineup will be reshaped by fresh talent.
The coaching staff has bolstered the squad with three transfers from Merrimack College — Madison Roman, Cadence Johnson and Daria Shishkina — each bringing a different skill set to the mix.
In addition to those newcomers, seven other first‑year players will join the program, meaning the Great Danes will field a roster that is overwhelmingly new.
A Revamped Roster
Roman, one of the transferred players, said the team intends to play fast, aggressive and scrappy, aiming to catch opponents off guard.
Johnson echoed that sentiment, adding that the squad will not back down from any challenge, a mindset that reflects the coach’s emphasis on toughness.
Looking Forward
With a blend of experienced returnees and a wave of fresh faces, the Great Danes hope to surprise critics and make a deeper run in the upcoming schedule.