Pelles helps Mount Union grow
ALLIANCE, Ohio — The Mount Union College women's basketball team needed some height.
Enter Kehle Pelles.
The Mars High graduate is a freshman center for the Purple Raiders, who open the 2009-10 season this week.
"We were the smallest team in the (Ohio Athletic Conference) last season," said fifth-year head coach Suzy Venet. "We had nobody over 6 feet.
"But with Kehle at 6-3, she's definitely going to bring height to our lineup."
Pelles, who averaged 9.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game as a senior for the Planets last season, made the decision to attend Mount Union, a Division III school, in the spring.
The Purple Raiders won out over Walsh (Ohio) University and Messiah (Pa.) College.
"I visited the campus and met the team," said Pelles. "I really liked the team chemistry and the enthusiasm the coach has for the program."
"I felt like I fit in there," she added.
Pelles is one of 10 freshmen in Mount Union's newest recruiting class.
"I saw Kehle play quite a few times in high school," said Venet. "She has great touch around the basket, but, like all young players, she's going to have to adjust to the speed of the college game."
The Purple Raiders graduated Stephanie Schwartz, who averaged 7.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as the starting center on last season's team.
"We make no promises," said Venet. "You have to earn playing time, but Kehle will be one of a few players battling for time at center."
Pelles also battled mononucleosis over the summer and struggled to keep up with her new teammates in conditioning and practice, which began Oct. 18, but she is looking forward to her freshman campaign.
"I should at least see playing time for the junior varsity team and dress for the varsity games," said Pelles. "I'm hoping to get better with my post defense."
In the two years before Venet became head coach, Mount Union went a combined 9-42.
In the four seasons since, the Raiders have gone 53-52 overall, including last year's 16-9 mark (11-7 and fifth place in the OAC standings).
The conference includes, among others, John Carroll, Ohio Northern, Marietta, Heidelberg and Baldwin-Wallace.
"We play in one of the toughest conferences in the country," said Venet. "We were picked No. 4 in the preseason poll, but we're hoping to compete for the title."
