The University of Maine at Augusta women’s basketball team welcomed back a former star as the Moose opened their season Wednesday night while the men are waiting for one of their key players to return from injury.

The women rallied to a 66-51 victory against Fisher College as former Monmouth standout Jenn Lola returned to the team after a year’s absence and scored a game-high 23 points. The Moose return a number of talented players, including Erskine’s Ashley Peaslee, Gardiner’s Ashley Dyer and Dexter’s Katie Poirier, who last season led United States Collegiate Athletic Association players in total rebounds and double-doubles.

“I know we have what it takes,” second-year coach Jennifer Laney said. “We are a quick team.”

The Moose have added some key players, including Kristi Cessna of Orlando, Fla., who is alternating at point guard with Peaslee. Not only is she a strong defensive player, but she’s also a good outside shooter.

The 5-foot-11 Poirier gives UMA a strong offensive and defensive presence in the paint.

“She’s one of the best post-up players in our conference,” Laney said.

Lola, at 5-9, is one of the top players in the Yankee Small College Conference. Not only is she able to take the ball to the basket, she’s also a talented rebounder and good outside shooter.

“She stepped back in and has really taken a leadership role,” Laney said.

Newcomers include Katie Gayne of Augusta, Winslow’s Haley Madore and Winthrop’s Sasha Flaherty. Richmond senior Elora Hixon rounds out the team.

“We have a strong bench,” Laney said. “That’s going to help us out in the long run.”

The UMA men, who dropped their opener to Fisher, are awaiting the return of senior and Messalonskee grad Orlando Holmes. The 6-foot-3 forward is nursing a back injury.

“He’s out indefinitely,” UMA coach Jim Ford said.

Considering the team’s lack of height, Holmes’ presence in the lineup would make a big difference.

“Our biggest problem right now is interior defense and scoring,” said Ford, who lacks a power forward or center in his lineup. “We do have more athletic depth, but it’s in the guard position.”

Wily Walter of Arlington, Texas, returns to the lineup. The 6-2 forward was the second leading scorer on the team last season behind Holmes and led the Moose in steals. Returning for his fourth year is senior David Prior, a Lincoln Academy grad, while guard Aron Cochran returns after missing last year with an injury.

Ford is counting on contributions from freshmen Darius Vanegas and John Elgani of Orlando and Leonel Familia of Brooklyn, N.Y. Vanegas and Elgani are rugged rebounders while Ford hopes to convert the 6-4 Familia into an interior player.

Eric Gagne of Hallowell returns to the team after a two-year absence and is on the verge of starting, Ford said, while Erskine grad and senior Martin Campbell is recovering from a broken jaw he sustained in soccer.

A.J. Coleman, who played at Old Town a few years ago, is playing point guard along with Cochran at times while Edward Little alum Josh Croswell has transferred from Central Maine Community College. Medomak graduate and freshman Blake Nichols will also see playing time.

The conference has added five teams including the University of Maine at Machias and the Moose will play 20 conference games in a 36-game schedule. UMA plays at the Augusta Civic Center but must share the Kennebec Valley YMCA with the women’s team for late-night practices. The school also has no dormitories.

“We’re still feeling the crunch of a program that doesn’t have the attributes and facilities of other schools,” Ford said.

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

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