SWARTHMORE, Pa. - With the return of six players that saw significant minutes last season as well as the introduction of talented new players to the team, the 2012-13 Swarthmore College women's basketball will look to take the Centennial Conference by surprise and compete for a spot in the postseason.

The Garnet will miss the veteran leadership of 2012 graduates Brittany Schmelz, Christina Duron, Genny Pezzola, and Nicole Rizzo, but this year's squad looks to turn heads with its tenacious and scrappy play. Hoping to play a more up-tempo and aggressive style than in previous seasons, Swarthmore hopes that what it lacks in significant size is made up for in speed, a strong court sense, and long-range shooting ability.

Pivotal returners in 2012-2013 are junior captain and forward Katie Lytle, sophomore center Elle Larsen, junior point guard Kayla Moritzky, and senior captain and guard Madeline Ross. Senior captain Eliza Polli also returns with her 3 point shooting prowess after missing several games at the end of last season due to injury.

Lytle was named to the 2012 All-Centennial Conference Second Team, and looks to build on her substantial presence this season. The definition of an all-around player, Lytle does just about everything on the court, as she is the Garnet's top-returner in scoring (13.0 ppg), rebounding (9.9 rpg) steals (1.67 pg) and blocks (0.83 pg). Playing with a passion that is unmatched and possessing an ability to get to the basket at will, Lytle should be the Garnet's go-to player in 2012-13 campaign.

Larsen comes in close second, averaging 12.5 ppg and 6.1 rebounds pg. With a keen eye for the ball and a strong post presence, Larsen looks to make a statement in her sophomore season by becoming a feared top post player in the Centennial Conference.

Mortizky averaged 7.9 points and a team-leading 3.08 assists per game last season, while finishing second on the team in steals per game (1.42). With a strong ability to handle the ball and control the offense, Mortizky looks to develop her game even more as a junior, and has the ability to greatly impact the Garnet mentality this upcoming season.

Ross, in her final year wearing Garnet, looks to explode as a slashing and shooting guard. Coming off of a solid 7.8 ppg and cogent second-place field goal percentage (0.42) for Swarthmore, she has proven to be an unyielding presence physically and emotionally on the court. As one of the team's emotional leaders, Ross has the ability to influence the team energy and will be a pivotal factor in the aggressive and scrappy mentality that the 2012-13 squad will showcase.

Polli, always a steady influence will look to continue her under the radar play and catch teams off guard with her tenacious defense and high precision shooting.

Also returning are junior guards Elizabeth Casey and Stephanie Lechich, and sophomore post Chastity Hopkins.

Three first-years joining the squad this season are Isabella Bellezza, Jessica Jowdy, and Abbey Jo Deckard. Each player brings a unique and fresh playing style to the team, enabling them to quickly make a difference and contribute to the high expectations of the women's basketball team in 2012-2013.

The schedule is highlighted by the annual Tip-Off Tournament (Nov. 17-18) to open the season, and a winter break trip to Springfield, Mass for the coveted Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tournament. Centennial Conference action opens on November 20, when the Garnet travels to Dickinson. Tip-off is set for 8 pm.

Centennial Conference Preseason Poll