ALFRED, NY – Following a season with a program-high 10 wins in Empire 8 competition, the Alfred University women's basketball team is preparing for a new season that brings along high hopes. The Saxons will welcome several returning student-athletes along with 6 first-year talents and 1 transfer.
 
The Saxons are led by Head Coach Mike Moskowitz, who enters his sixth season with the program.
 
"We are at a phase in our program where we have a philosophical continuity," Moskowitz said. "We have the right people and leadership in the building. The leadership by committee this offseason has been great. All our returners have played a role in the transition here dating back to March to prepare us for the upcoming season. We know who we are and what we are capable of on and off the court on a day-to-day basis."
 
Last season, the Saxons finished with a 15-10 overall record, winning each of their final five games of the regular season by double-digits to return to the Empire 8 Tournament. The key victories for Alfred University included conference matchups against Elmira, Houghton, and Russell Sage.  
 
"We feel like we have gotten better each year at preparing our team to compete at a high level," Moskowitz said. "We are prepared to endure the long season and are focused on getting 1 percent better each day."

Leah Harkenrider (Hornell, NY/Hornell) is among the returners for the Saxons this season, having scored a team-high 340 points during the 2022-23 season. Harkenrider additionally led the Empire 8 conference with 58 field goals from 3-point range and was honored as a member of the All-Empire 8 Second Team. In a win over Utica University, Harkenrider set the program record with 8 successful shots from 3-point territory.
 
"Leah may be the most improved player each of the past four offseasons," Moskowitz said. "That is true based on her physical skills, leadership, and her mental toughness. It's been great to see her improve once again this summer. It speaks to the work she has put in for the team."
 
Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) joins Harkenrider as one of three seniors on the 2023-24 roster. Last season, Rittenhouse set career-high marks in almost every statistical category, including field goals made (85), rebounds (115), points (223) and steals (35). During the Hoops for Hounds Classic last season, Rittenhouse scored a career-high 23 points as part of a win over Baruch College.
 
"Grace is the player with the most personal growth since joining us," Moskowitz said. "The confidence which she is playing with has been improving over time, but she has grown as a person as well. She constantly makes the right plays on both ends of the floor. We're excited for her to take the next step of her career."

Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) will return to the Saxons roster for her junior season. Across 18 games last season, Stewart led the program with a 47.2 field goal percentage. In a win against Houghton, Stewart enjoyed a breakout performance that included a team-high 15 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 7-of-11 from the field.
 
"Felicia is a matchup nightmare for her opponents," Moskowitz said. "Her ability to score at all three levels makes her difficult to guard. She is the best communicator we have on the defensive end of the floor. She has taken on some expanded responsibilities this year and is becoming a more complete player every day."
 
Alfred University will open their season at home against Oswego State on November 8 at 6:30 PM as part of a 5-game homestand. The Saxons will begin Empire 8 competition at home versus Elmira College on December 2 at 2:00 PM. The Empire 8 Tournament is slated to run from February 20-24.
 
"We hope to continue to grow in all aspects as a program this year," Moskowitz said. "We want to be the most consistent version of ourselves that we can be."