Lynchburg Women’s Basketball Focuses on Offseason Development and Leadership

By Piercen Young | Guest Writer

As the University of Lynchburg women’s basketball team heads into the offseason, their focus has shifted to player recovery and leadership growth, as well as finalizing a recruiting class that will address the team’s needs for the upcoming season.

NCAA Division III rules limit the time coaches can spend with their players on the court. This means that leadership and accountability amongst the players is vital to improving the team in the offseason. 

Coach Allison Nichols has designated strength and conditioning as a priority for the team’s development this offseason. 

“We are very lucky to have great strength and conditioning staff, so that is a big focus for our program right now,” said Nichols, who has coached the team since 2021. “In the past, we only did two days a week lifting, but we have amped that up to three days now.”

Lynchburg struggled to match opponents’ athleticism and physicality this past season, so Nichols has challenged players with a new dynamic approach. 

“They have been trying to play with some guys in pickup just to get a little different dynamic and sense of athleticism out there,” said Nichols. 

The upcoming senior class is filled with 11 motivated players who are looking to lead by example.

“That group now has a lot of experience,” Nichols said about next year’s team. “I am really going to lean on them to provide leadership and build great habits for our younger ones.”

Recruiting has also been a focal point for Nichols this spring and summer. Nichols is looking to bring in eight players for next season and wants to fill areas of need on the roster. 

“We did not have a true floor general, and we have addressed that in our incoming class,”said Nichols. “We’ve filled some positions of need that I feel can come in and compete for minutes right away.” 

Rising senior captain Brooke Cason has embraced her new responsibilities as captain and is excited for the opportunities and challenges that next season will bring. 

“We have established our leaders now and feel we have a better sense of accountability,” Cason said. 

Ashley Vandergrift, a rising senior sharpshooter, noted that it is the responsibility of the upperclassmen to feel welcomed on the team and create a synergy between players.

“We will help the new players adjust and teach them to keep pushing through even through tough times,” Vandergrift said.

For more information on women’s basketball, visit Lynchburg Sports.