Will play a big part in the team’s frontcourt this season due to her ability to rebound, score and defend ... will serve as a team anchor with her strong, veteran presence in the paint ... As a junior: Relieved Liz LeFebvre ’03 in the frontcourt in a career-high 25 games ... shot career-high 57.1 percent (12 for 21) on free throws ... grabbed five boards against Roberts Wesleyan on Nov. 23 during the Radisson Tip-Off Tournament ... pulled down four caroms against AIC on Dec. 1 ... had four points and three rebounds on Feb. 17 against Green Mountain ... collected four points and two boards on Feb. 22 at Saint Anselm ... named to NE-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Silver Scholar) after spending both semesters on the Dean’s List ... As a sophomore: Came off the bench in 22 games, including 14 straight to start the season ... had four points and four boards in eight minutes at Stonehill on Nov. 28 ... notched season-high six points in consecutive contests: Dec. 16 at Green Mountain and Jan. 5 versus UMass Lowell ... hit career highs with six boards and 19 minutes during season finale on Feb. 20 at Saint Rose ... named to Dean’s List both semesters ... As a freshman: Appeared in 12 games as a rookie, including the first six games of the season ... scored a basket during three minutes of work in her first collegiate contest against Slippery Rock on Nov. 18 during the Radisson Tip-Off Tournament ... scored four points in seven minutes against Saint Anselm on Jan. 27 ... collected career-high eight points and three boards in only nine minutes against Assumption on Feb. 6 ... High School: Balka was a four-year member of the varsity team at Southern Regional ... named Southern Regional’s best offensive and defensive player in both her junior and senior campaigns ... named team captain for both her junior and senior years ... earned New Jersey all-state honors in 1999 and 2000 ... played AAU basketball for Philadelphia-based Fencor, which entered national championship tournaments in Dallas and Nashville, respectively, during her junior and senior years ... participated in varsity soccer as a freshman, track as a freshman and sophomore, and cross country running as a junior ... a four-year honor roll and honor society student ... Personal: Kathleen Balka was born on February 14, 1981 ... daughter of Louis and Tina Balka ... father ran track at Division I Saint Francis College in Pennsylvania ... majoring in elementary education and art.