Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Women’s Basketball Holds First Official Practices
10/4/2021 12:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team is officially gearing up for the 2021-22 season, holding its first official practice last Thursday. In head coach Jennifer Sullivan's first year at the helm, the team is looking to make noise in Conference USA behind a veteran group of players.
"I'm really excited," said Sullivan. "I'm very encouraged by this group. I think we have a lot of really good pieces. We have some players that have been out with injuries that we are expecting to have come back. I think we have some good returning scoring. We have a ways to go, a lot of work on, but I'm really encouraged by what we have."
The team returns 10 student-athletes from the 2020-21 season who have seen time on the court as an Owl. Janeta Rozentale is the Owls' leading returner, coming off last season having averaged 9.9 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game. She ended the season No. 8 in the C-USA standings in rebounds per game and fourth in blocks per game with 1.3. Alexa Zaph was the Owls' starting point guard, earning the start in all 20 games she appeared in. She averaged 8.3 points per game and had a team's most 56 assists. Juliette Gauthier missed all of last season due to an injury, but hopes to come back strong in her redshirt junior campaign after averaging 11 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game across a team-high 1,005 minutes played in 2019-20.
"I think we are very fortunate to be here at this time because I definitely think the program is heading in a direction it needs to go and the players have bought into that," said Sullivan. "There hasn't been a lot of prying and pushing to get them there. They are all in, they are buying in. We have upperclassmen who really want to win before they leave here, so it has been great."
In Sullivan's first recruiting class, she has brought in a talented group of three individuals. Marta Garcia, a transfer from the University of Arizona, will bring a strong presence inside. The sophomore has represented Spain in a myriad of national events. Kynadi Kuykendoll is a junior college transfer from NJCAA National Champion Northwest Florida College. A point guard, Sullivan praises Kuyekndoll's ability to put the ball in the right people's hands. Simona Henshaw is the lone freshman on the squad, as the London native brings versatility and toughness to the team. Kimia Carter joined the team last spring and will be eligible to compete this fall. Carter spent her freshman season at Stetson, where she was a four-time ASUN Freshman of the Week, averaging 8.9 points per game.
Gallery: (9-29-2021) 2021-22 First WBB Practice
Joining Sullivan are Jessica Jackson (assistant coach/recruiting coordinator), Kenzie Kostas (assistant coach) and Matt Ruffing (assistant coach), all in their first years at FAU. Arianne Stinson, in her fifth year at FAU, will stay on as the director of basketball operations. More about each staff member can be found here.
The Owls will host Saint Leo on Friday, Nov. 5 for an exhibition, as tip is set for 6 p.m. FAU's home opener will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 10, as the Owls host Palm Beach Atlantic at 6 p.m.
For complete coverage of FAU women's basketball, follow us on Twitter (@FAUWBB), Instagram (@FAUWBB) and Facebook (Florida Atlantic University Women's Basketball).
"I'm really excited," said Sullivan. "I'm very encouraged by this group. I think we have a lot of really good pieces. We have some players that have been out with injuries that we are expecting to have come back. I think we have some good returning scoring. We have a ways to go, a lot of work on, but I'm really encouraged by what we have."
The team returns 10 student-athletes from the 2020-21 season who have seen time on the court as an Owl. Janeta Rozentale is the Owls' leading returner, coming off last season having averaged 9.9 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game. She ended the season No. 8 in the C-USA standings in rebounds per game and fourth in blocks per game with 1.3. Alexa Zaph was the Owls' starting point guard, earning the start in all 20 games she appeared in. She averaged 8.3 points per game and had a team's most 56 assists. Juliette Gauthier missed all of last season due to an injury, but hopes to come back strong in her redshirt junior campaign after averaging 11 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game across a team-high 1,005 minutes played in 2019-20.
"I think we are very fortunate to be here at this time because I definitely think the program is heading in a direction it needs to go and the players have bought into that," said Sullivan. "There hasn't been a lot of prying and pushing to get them there. They are all in, they are buying in. We have upperclassmen who really want to win before they leave here, so it has been great."
In Sullivan's first recruiting class, she has brought in a talented group of three individuals. Marta Garcia, a transfer from the University of Arizona, will bring a strong presence inside. The sophomore has represented Spain in a myriad of national events. Kynadi Kuykendoll is a junior college transfer from NJCAA National Champion Northwest Florida College. A point guard, Sullivan praises Kuyekndoll's ability to put the ball in the right people's hands. Simona Henshaw is the lone freshman on the squad, as the London native brings versatility and toughness to the team. Kimia Carter joined the team last spring and will be eligible to compete this fall. Carter spent her freshman season at Stetson, where she was a four-time ASUN Freshman of the Week, averaging 8.9 points per game.
Joining Sullivan are Jessica Jackson (assistant coach/recruiting coordinator), Kenzie Kostas (assistant coach) and Matt Ruffing (assistant coach), all in their first years at FAU. Arianne Stinson, in her fifth year at FAU, will stay on as the director of basketball operations. More about each staff member can be found here.
The Owls will host Saint Leo on Friday, Nov. 5 for an exhibition, as tip is set for 6 p.m. FAU's home opener will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 10, as the Owls host Palm Beach Atlantic at 6 p.m.
For complete coverage of FAU women's basketball, follow us on Twitter (@FAUWBB), Instagram (@FAUWBB) and Facebook (Florida Atlantic University Women's Basketball).
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