Women's Basketball Schedule-----Women's Basketball Roster-----2000 Men's Basketball Team

Coaching Staff

Maggie Peeler (left) with husband
Mark and daughter Hope

Maggie Peeler, Head Coach
mgpeeler@erskine.edu

Maggie Peeler finds the task in front of her a difficult one, but she is prepared for the challenge which lies ahead. She inherits a program that went 8-18 a year ago and lost All Conference performers Val Warren and Margot Richards. Peeler found the cupboard nearly bare when she accepted the head coaching position in May. Only five players remained on the roster and no recruiting for the upcoming season had been done. She quickly added five newcomers to the squad as she begins to rebuild the program.

Peeler provides the Flying Fleet with a shot in the arm of enthusiasm and energy. Her passion for the game will be reflected on her players. The 1996 graduate of Davidson College played four years for the Lady Wildcats, despite suffering through two ACL surgeries. Peeler, who served as co-captain from 1994-96, remains in the Davidson women's baskeball record books for three-point shooting. She will install a new playing style, relying heavily on the three-point shot and tenacious, scrappy defense. The Fleet will also have a strong inside game with the return of two 6-0 seniors in the post.

"My biggest goal is to establish a new attitude. These players need to love the game and play with passion. Love of the game and passion can make up for any difference in talent levels. Success at this level takes too much hard work for players not to enjoy it. We will be much more uptempo, with players having much more freedom than they've had in the past. I can't predict how successful we will be this first year, but we will be fun to watch," states Peeler.

Peeler is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and has a wealth of experience in athletics. She is a former All-Region high school star in basketball, volleyball, and track. She anchored the 3200 Relay team in high school which finished third in the state of Kentucky. Peeler graduated from Davidson with a degree in English.

Peeler is married to Erskine men's coach Mark Peeler. The couple reside in Due West and have a daughter, Hope (1 yr.).

Kristi Pollonais, Assistant Coach

Kristi Pollonais enters her first year as an assistant in the women's basketball program. The Topeka, Kansas native is a 1997 graduate of Tabor College where she played volleyball, basketball and softball. She served as a student assistant basketball coach her final two years at Tabor.

Pollonais comes to Erskine after serving as the middle school basketball coach at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolinaduring the 1999-2000 season. She gained a reputation at Ravenscroft for being an excellent teacher of fundamentals.

"I hope to bring my knowledge and experience of fundamentals of the game to the Erskine players. I think sometimes at this level the fundamentals are forgotten. I also want to be an uplfiter, a positive coach for them, because I don't think they have had that in the past few years," comments Pollonais on her new role.

First-year year head coach Maggie Peeler is excited about having Pollonais join her staff. "She will be a positive role model and an expert in when it comes to the basics of the game. I welcome her positive attitude and feel Kristi will be a tremendous help," comments Peeler.

Pollanais is married to Erskine men's soccer coach Garth Pollonais. The couple reside in Greenwood, South Carolina along with their son, Donte' (2 yrs. old).