Katie Whittier, a two-time Bangor Daily News All-Maine second-team selection, failed to pass NCAA Clearinghouse requirements and won’t be able to play or practice for the University of Maine women’s basketball team this season, pending appeal.

The 6-foot-2 forward from Gray-New Gloucester High School averaged 13.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots per game last season for the Patriots and earned an athletic scholarship to attend Maine.

The university has filed an appeal with the NCAA, but no date for a decision has been set.

Whittier is still planning to attend Maine, according to women’s basketball coach Sharon Versyp, who feels they have a respectable chance to win the appeal.

“Otherwise, we wouldn’t have done it,” said Versyp.

Interim athletic director Paul Bubb and Versyp can’t discuss the specifics of the situation due to the Buckley Amendment, prohibiting administrators from discussing academic matters involving student-athletes.

However, Bubb did say “the NCAA has fairly specific requirements and there could be any number of reasons” for a student-athlete to be deemed a non-qualifier by The Clearinghouse.

If they don’t win the appeal, Whittier would have to pay her own way for the first year.

If she was in good academic standing after her freshman season, she would gain her eligibility and scholarship for the 2003-2004 season.

Bubb and Versyp said Whittier would have either three or four years of eligibility after her freshman season.

“It will depend on what happens with the appeal,” said Versyp, who feels Whittier would be in the hunt for playing time at the power forward slot if she regained her eligibility.

Husson women are optimistic

A veteran Husson College women’s soccer team, buoyed by an infusion of youth, has its sights set on winning the first-ever Sunrise Conference tournament championship this season.

The Braves open their season on the road against Delaware schools the College of Wilmington and Goldey Beacom on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Husson went 10-8-1 a year ago in the final season of the Maine Athletic Conference.

“We feel we’re going to be better this year,” said fifth-year head coach Keith Bosley. “The freshmen have filled in some holes for us. [Freshman striker] Deidra Ham looks like she’s going to live up to expectations and some of the other freshmen are stronger than I expected.

“We had four of the top eight scorers in the league and three of them are back,” said Bosley, referring to MAC Rookie of the Year Melissa Achorn of Bangor, fellow freshman Beatriz DeYcaza of Ecuador and sophomore midfielder Kristin Pelletier of Madawaska.

They combined for more than 50 goals and 20 assists a year ago.

“The players coming back have more experience and we also have some good freshman,” said Kristin Pelletier.

“I’m very excited about the season,” said Achorn.

Lee Academy’s Ham was one of the state’s most prolific scorers a year ago and she will join sophomores Achorn and DeYcaza up front.

Sophomore Pelletier and older sister Erin, a senior, will key the midfield where they will be joined by junior Jessica Letendre and freshman Kelly McHatten of Castle Hill and Presque Isle High School.

Bangor sophomore Kerry Tuck, Swanville senior Sarah Cole and Madawaska junior Janie Michaud return in the back to protect senior goalie Meg Taylor of Orono.

Achorn and Kristin Pelletier were All-MAC first team picks a year ago and DeYcaza and Cole were second teamers.

Freshman midfielder Kristy Harriman of Dixmont and junior striker Sam Scott of Sullivan will also get plenty of playing time.

The league championship is definitely the goal of the Braves.

“Nothing less,” said Taylor.

Maine women hosting tourney

The Maine women’s soccer team, coming off its first winning season ever (7-6-3), will open the season by hosting the Black Bear Invitational on Sunday and Monday.

Maine faces Canisius (N.Y.) at 3:30 on Sunday after a 1 p.m. game between Iona (N.Y.) and Central Connecticut.

The Bears face Iona at 1:30 Sunday after an 11 a.m. game between Canisius and Central Connecticut.