This season, however, the commencement of Liberty League play is even more of a cherished sight for an RPI squad that limped through one of the country’s most difficult preseason schedules. The nine opponents RPI faced in the preseason boast a combined record of 31-9.

“I had coaches coming up to me saying we were the best 1-4 and 1-7 team in country,” Rensselaer Head Coach John Greene said, although he quickly admitted it was a mixed compliment. “We have had so many close games.”

After destroying John Jay 88-13 in their season opener, the Red Hawks, who stand at 3-8 overall and 1-1 in conference play, lost seven straight, falling to 1-7. A combination of long road trips to Phoenix, Arizona, and some stiff competition combined to send a young RPI team reeling.

“We have played well in every game, but just not every half.” Greene said. “We have to find a way to put two solid halves together to win.”

While the Red Hawks, who endured the 2-7 stretch, hoped to forget their earlier season woes as they entered Liberty League play against rival Union January 14.

The Dutchwomen had other plans, though. Rensselaer again failed to put together two complete halves of basketball as they fell 63-55, despite leading with just 3:44 remaining in the game.

The Red Hawks displayed remarkable resilience against the Dutchwomen as they rallied from an early 10-point second half deficit to claim the lead at the 7:20 mark for the first time since the midway point of the first half.

Rensselaer extended its lead to five on a jumper from Nicole Van Slyke with just over five minutes remaining, but the Dutchwomen would respond in hurry.

Union allowed Rensselaer just one basket for the remainder of the game and sent the dejected Red Hawks home with yet another disappointing loss.

“We played well enough to win,” Greene said. “We showed we can play with and possibly beat Union, but we did not play well in the first half.”

Once the Dutchwomen regained the lead with 3:44 left in the game, Union Head Coach Mary Ellen Burt quickly called a timeout and ordered the team to retreat out of their normal pressure man-to-man defense and back into a zone.

The ploy worked, as the game’s paced slowed, and Rensselaer, fatigued after battling for the lead, became stagnant in their offensive set and missed numerous open shots.

Kristi Baranowski posted a double-double in the loss with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Kaitlyn Saunders, who has been selected Liberty League Forward of the Week four times already this season, had 13 points and Amy Morin added 12.

Despite the tough loss, the women would respond impressively on Saturday 15, as Saunders scored 18 points to lead RPI to a 57-37 stomping over the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore.

Destany Eagles and Baranowski added 11 and 10, respectively, for the Red Hawks.

Rensselaer received another gift over the Christmas break as senior forward Stephanie Pelletier returned to the team after missing a semester while on co-op. The addition of Pelletier, along with a finally healthy squad will give RPI some needed depth heading into the difficult conference schedule.

“We are making progress,” Greene said. “Some say we are a year away, but I think we are ready. Our experiences in the preseason should help us in conference.”