ALFRED, NY – Following a successful offseason, the Alfred University women's basketball team is focused on what the new season will hold. The team will welcome 11 returning student-athletes to go with five first-year talents.

Alfred University will be led by Head Coach Mike Moskowitz, who is entering his seventh season with the program.

"We spoke extensively this offseason about our inconsistencies last year," Moskowitz said. "It felt like we never really played our best, which led to us losing the playoff tiebreaker. Had we been more consistent in our daily actions, we would have won a few more games, made playoffs and given ourselves a chance to make a run. We focused on holding each other accountable, refocusing and adjusting more quickly and we continue to work on our confidence every day."

Last season, the Saxons finished with a 10-14 overall record, which included seven home wins. Alfred University additionally finished in the top 50 across the nation in rebounding.

"This has been the third straight year in which our upperclassmen and leaders have done a tremendous job of easing the transition for our newcomers," Moskowitz said. "The newcomers have done a good job asking questions, watching film, and using their resources to be great students of the game."

Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) is among those returning to the 2024-25 roster, entering her fifth season with the program. Last season, Rittenhouse totaled a career-high 259 points to go with 131 rebounds and 42 assists. On the defensive end, Rittenhouse tallied 44 steals.

"It's been great to see how Grace has grown over the years," Moskowitz said. "She is the standard within the program because of how she goes about her business. She is a more confident, composed person at this point in her career."

Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) will be going into her sophomore season with Alfred University, totaling 204 points and 142 rebounds last year. In wins against Houghton University and Hartwick College, Chest earned her first two collegiate double-double performances.

"Jaidyn has gotten so much better from last year to this year," Moskowitz said. "She puts in a lot of time and is intentional about her work. She is a true competitor. When she steps in the gym, her goal is to be the best she can be. Her maturity as a point guard has grown in terms of patience and understanding that her speed is an asset, but that doesn't mean "play as fast as you can". 

Felicia Stewart (Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer) will be among the upperclassmen for Alfred University this season. During the 2023-24 campaign, Stewart recorded a career-high 152 points along with 79 rebounds and 23 assists for AU. 

"Felicia has continued to mature as a person and has set herself up for success on the court," Moskowitz said. "Her holistic understanding of the game has improved, and she has been more of a leader and has held herself to a higher standard, while understanding all the little things that can help her team to win."

Alfred University will begin their season at home against Pitt-Bradford on November 9. The first Empire 8 matchup for AU will be on the road at Nazareth University on December 7. Over the Winter Break, the Saxons will compete in Massachusetts from December 29-31. The Empire 8 Championship Tournament is slated to run from February 22-March 1.

"We have talked about being the best 'us' that we can be," Moskowitz said. "That comes from consistency in our preparation, our work, communication and building relationships. If we get one percent better every day, we will be on the right path."