Upon the completion of an intrasquad scrimmage at last Friday's practice, the women's basketball team huddled together at half court as a complete 15-person unit once again.Togetherness will likely be the theme for the Judges this season, as they hope to build on their second-straight NCAA Tournament second-round appearance. To do so, they must replace a large hole in the middle with the graduation of all-time leading scorer and three-time All-American forward Caitlin Malcolm '07, as well as starting guard and defensive force Alison Chase '07.

"You don't replace a Caitlin Malcolm," coach Carol Simon said.

Captain and guard Jaime Capra '08, the team's leading scorer with 15.6 points per game last season, said Chase will also be missed.

"She just always seemed to come up with a big steal or a big three-pointer when we needed one," Capra said. "A lot of teams didn't necessarily look for her or focus on her on defense, so she was able to get a bunch of points and a bunch of steals that we're going to miss this year."

The cupboard is far from bare, however, as five of the top seven scorers return from a team that posted a 20-6 record last season, including a 71-66 season-ending loss to Emmanuel College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Capra, a first-team all-University Athletic Association performer last season, returns along with fellow captain and point guard Kiersten Holgash '08.

Guard Jessica Chapin '10, who came off the bench to average 7.9 points per game last year, third-best on the team behind Capra and Malcolm, also returns, and inside players Lauren Orlando '09, Cassidy Dadaos '09 and Amanda Wells '09 provide an experienced frontcourt rotation.

"Everyone knows their role, and if everyone can play up to what's expected of them, then we can go really far," Orlando said.

After struggling with a torn labrum in her shoulder as a sophomore two years ago, Capra returned to the all-UAA first team and took over the scoring lead from Malcolm. Without Malcolm to double-team, however, opponents may now choose to focus their efforts on Capra.

"They're just going to not want the ball in her hands," Holgash said. "A lot of times last year, teams would double-team [Malcolm], so now I'm sure [Capra] can expect a lot more of the double-team on her ... They're going to focus on her no matter what."

Holgash, Orlando, Chapin and Dadaos each averaged more than four points per game last season and will try to contribute more to the offense this year.

"I think a lot of people are going to step up," Chapin said. "Jamie's going to score her usual points and play her part, Kiersten's going to step up and score, Cassidy [too]. A number of people are going to step up and find their roles on this team, and we're going to be successful for it."

With Chase's departure, Chapin will go from being the team's sixth man to one of its starters.

"She was a freshman last year, so now she has a whole another year under her belt as well, and that's a really huge advantage that you have on the court, is having experienced players out there," Holgash said.

The women's bench boasts a lot of experience from returnees and rookies alike.

Wells, Orlando or Dadaos will play off the bench along with returning guards Lauren Rashford '10, Carmela Breslin '10 and Courtney Tremblay '08.

Three rookies-guards Mia Depalo '11 and Diana Cincotta '11 and forward Amber Strodthoff '11-add experience to an already seasoned roster.

"A lot of times when you come in as a freshman, one of the things you do lack is experience, but they have a lot of basketball knowledge, which they really bring to the floor," Holgash said.

The Judges, who went 11-1 last season in non-conference games, face a demanding regional schedule this season that includes an NCAA rematch at Emmanuel College Nov. 27 and a Dec. 8 matchup against Williams College, who also reached the NCAA tournament.

"Our schedule is more challenging this year," Simon said. "We've picked up some very good teams with Emmanuel and Williams. So I think that our non-conference is very strong."

As usual, however, the Judges will expect tough competition from their University Athletic Association foes during the latter portion of their season. The Judges, currently ranked 14th by D3hoops.com, lag behind fellow UAA members Washington University in St. Louis (6th) and New York University (8th), each of whom they will face twice.

"Everybody in the UAA is good," Simon said, noting that four of eight UAA teams last year made the NCAA tournament. "The competition is just so tough . you can't underestimate anybody."

-The Judges host the Tip-off Tournament against Mt. Holyoke College Friday at 6 p.m. and play again Saturday against either Wesleyan University or Kenyon College, depending on Friday's results.