Story by: Alex Tejada

Ranging from the phenomenal… to the downright frustrating. Head Coach Stan Van Atta’s first season since returning to coach Montevallo women’s basketball team saw the Falcons finish with a 5-21 record.

“I said this from the very beginning, I love my team. They gave me everything I asked them for.”  said Coach Van Atta.

In their final season in the Peach Belt conference, the Falcons picked up crucial victories over Flagler and Young Harris colleges.

Add to that a double overtime thrilling victory over Lemoyne Owen and last season produced many positives to take away from Van Atta’s first year back.

“We were in a lot of games that we probably shouldn’t have been. Even up until the end of the season, I think they fought and clawed and stratched for everything they got.” said Van Atta.

Taking over a program that only won eight games in the previous two seasons was a tough task for the coach, even a coach who won 166 games during his previous tenure with the Falcons.

However, with junior college transfers Aaliyah Rice and Kassidy Bonebrake being named top newcomers by the Gulf South Conference, Van Atta has lots of reasons to be optimistic.

“Both of those girls are quality basketball players. they have a lot of college games under their belt.” Van Atta said.

True freshman De’asia Marsh and Nautika Philpot arrive after averaging double digit points in high school.

With a new assistant coach, Matt Durkin, and a new conference, things will be very different this season.

“I think we can really compete at a high level in this conference. we have an opportunity to continue to grow, as a squad we’re very young. we’re all going to experience this together and so we’re all going to learn and develop and succeed in a short period of time given what our goals are.” said Coach Matt Durkin.

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Montevallo vs. Young Harris at Trustmark Arena

 

The Falcons are predicted to finish 13th in the Gulf South, Montevallo will be seen as an underdog in most matches, even at home.

However with the most successful coach in school history in his second stint in charge, a first winning season since 2013 could be heading to Trustmark Arena.

The Falcons play UAB in an exhibition on November 1st before their first home game against Miles College on the 11th.