SHERBROOKE, Que. - Zero wins is always tough to swallow, however that is what the Gaiters have faced against RSEQ competition the last three seasons.  The 2015-16 campaign promises to be different. The Gaiters are still young but they have a certain swagger to them that suggests their losing days are over.
 
Head coach Alex Perno added the services of former CIS Coach of the Year Craig Norman to his staff for the 2015-16 season.  He also has his former point guard Catherine Rondeau and former all-Canadian Mike Andrews as assistants. Steve Cassivi, Perno's long-time aid also returns to the bench.
 
On the hardwood point guard Edith Noblecilla (Quito, Ecuador) returns for her third season as floor general.  She is fresh off representing Ecuador at the FIBA Americas championship that took place in Edmonton this summer. Former RSEQ all-rookie team member Naomi James (Ajax, Ont.) is back for her junior year as are 6-5 forward Mara Marchizotti (Buenos Aires, Argentina), guard Valerie Tremblay (Baie-Comeau, Que.) and centre Ashley White (Cambridge, Ont.). Joy-Celine Bermillo (Montreal), Catherine Guay (Saint-Augustin-de-Desamaures, Que.), Marie-Laurence Dulude (Quebec City) and 2014-15 Bishop's University Newcomer of the Year Noemi Hamel-Petit (Magog, Que.) all are back as sophomores.
 
Three-time CCAA champions from College Montmorency Ashley Milhomme (Saint-Augustin-de-Desamaures) and Maude Archambault (Repentigny, Que.) will look to transition to the CIS and contribute immediately for the Gaiters.  Alexandra Ethier (Sorel, Que.) and Charlene Pettigrew (Montreal) from College Edouard-Montpetit and Taylor Dennis (Cambridge, Ont.) from Champlain-Lennoxville round out the recruiting class that will look to turn a program around that hasn't won in league play since 2012.
 
"We are young but talented," said Perno. "We have competed against some good teams in the pre-season and won some games we would have lots in previous years.  Our newcomers will have to continue to learn the CIS game and put the work in but I definitely think we will improve and be better on the court. I really think if we win one game a few more victories will come.  In our league if you make the playoffs anything can happen."
 
The Gaiters posted a 3-5 record against CIS competition in the pre-season and a 5-6 record overall. They picked up two wins over NCAA competition to conclude their exhibition action last weekend.
 
The Gaiters open the 2015-16 season on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. against UQAM in Montreal before returning home to face No.3 McGill in Mitchell Gym on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the home opener are available online at www.gaiters.ca/tickets.
 
Webcasts
Thursday at UQAM: http://tvgo.ca/uqam/
Saturday vs McGill: www.gaiters.ca/webcast
 
Quick Facts:
2014-15 Record: 0-16, 5^th in RSEQ
RSEQ Playoffs: N/A
Head Coach: Alex Perno, 8^th year
 
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Clare Webb
Sports Information Intern