Women’s hoop team loses three-time all star

By Noah Love

If you thought this year’s women’s basketball team was young and inexperienced, just wait until next year when the Rams take to the court without their three -time all-star Miruna Muller.

The talented but often self-centred shooting guard has played out her fifth and final year of eligibility with the Rams. The native of Romania hopes to try out for a professional team in Europe or Australia later this year.
This summer she’d also like to get a tryout with the Romanian national team or student national team.

If neither option works out, Muller said she’ll consider returning to school for her final year of the social work program. If she does return, don’t expect to see her in Kerr gym helping the team as a coach.

“Absolutely not,” Muller said. “I’m only good as a player.”

The Rams will likely miss muller as a player, but not as a leader. Although she’s been the team’s leading scorer the last three years, she has never been a proponent of team chemistry. She often appeared to create tension on the court by criticizing teammates during games.
Partly because seven of 11 players were in their first or second year with the team, the Rams limped to a 5-15 OUA record this season. Their sixth-place standing in the seven-team OUA East Division made them miss the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Muller, who was named to the OUA all-defensive team as well as the all-star team, said the reason was frustrating, but not disappointing.

“It wasn’t like a big surprise,” she said. “As soon as the team was together I knew we weren’t going to win any championships.”

Next year won’t be any easier because guard Eva Ain is graduating in April.

Ain, the team captain, provided leadership on the court by grabbing rebounds and diving for loose balls.

“It’s strange to think that I’m hanging up the shoes,” she said from outside the team therapy room on Monday. “But I achieved my personal goals.”

Women’s coach Sandra Pothier said next season will be a rebuilding year for the Rams.

“It’s tough to lose players like Miruna and Eva,” she said.