Courtesy of Bob Heller, USP SID

PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 2, 2009) - The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's basketball program is pleased to announce the addition of four players to the squad for the 2009-10 season.

A pair of 6-foot forwards will bring added depth to the front court for the Devils.  Rebecca Ruggear (Oxford High School) was a first team All Ches-Mont league selection this past season and averaged a double-double for the year.  Ruggear will be a pharmaceutical marketing/management major at the university.

Carolyn Edwards comes to the Devils from St. Basil's Academy.  Edwards averaged around ten points per game and was a First Team All-Catholic Academies honoree.  Edwards will be pursing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree while she plays basketball for the Devils.

In the backcourt, the Devils will be getting a solid shooter in Brick Township High School graduate Kathleen Connelly.  The 5'4" guard averaged around eight points and four assists per game.  Connelly will be a physical therapy major at USP.

The Devils also bring in another first team All-Ches-Mont selection to join Connelly in the backcourt, Katie Armstrong from West Chester Henderson.   Armstrong, a point guard, led her team in assists and a berth in the PIAA state playoffs, losing in the second round to Downingtown East.  Armstrong will also major in physical therapy while playing ball for the Devils.

The women's basketball team finished last season with a 15-13 record last season under Nate Ware, qualifying for post-season play for the eighth consecutive season and eventually losing to Philadelphia University in the quarterfinals of the CACC championship.  Paul Stadelberger will take over the head coaching duties for the 2009-10 season.