Despite the disappointing season that is quickly coming to a close on Saint Mary's, many of the Belles will look forward to next year as their young team continues to grow in hope of better things to come. That's not the case for Katie Miller, the sole senior on a team comprised mainly of juniors and freshmen, who will be ending her basketball career when the Belles' season to a close.Coming to terms with the concept that your playing days are growing sparse could be difficult as the only senior on a losing team, but Miller said she has grown accustomed to it. "It was [weird], but I was used to it," said Miller. "Throughout the four years, there were other girls that were my age that were playing but they all ended up quitting or transferring, so I was fine with it."But Miller was hesitant to accept the idea that the season was coming to an end."It's not over yet," Miller said. "It's sad, it's really sad. It's been a great four years."Miller has averaged 5.9 points per game in 24.2 minutes per game this season. Her 24.2 minutes per game are second only to Emily Creachbaum who clocks in at 25.5 minutes per game. Miller also has 39 assists on the season.Despite the plethora of emotions that are running through Miller's head with another losing season coming to an end, she has remained positive about her experience as a Belle."I think we've improved a lot over the past year," said Miller.While the Belles have improved since last season, it is no secret that Saint Mary's has struggled this year despite their growth. They have faced tough competition and struggled to put together strong first halves against solid conference opponents. But for Miller, she sees a team growing with each other despite the losses piling up in bunches, and the wins few and far between."We're building, we're still building. Hopefully with this experience next year they'll be a lot better, they'll do great things next year," Miller said.Saint Mary's could, in fact, improve on their 6-15 record, going into Wednesday's game with Adrian. With the development of freshmen Bridget Lipke and Jessica Binhack, among others, and the continued growth of sophomores Anne Hogan and Bridget Boyce, and juniors Creachbaum, Emily Pernotto and Maureen Bush, Miller could in fact be leaving a solid nucleus of talent behind her that could make a solid run in the MIAA next year.While the Belles' future is undetermined, Miller's is not. It seems fitting that Miller, the sole senior who has been responsible for leading a younger team on and off the court, plans on going into education."I plan on teaching, I'm an education major so I'm teaching next year ... kindergarten through second grade," said Miller.Adrian will play at Saint Mary's tonight at 7:30 p.m.
