Women's Basketball | 12/22/2025 10:30:00 AM

Thirty years ago, a dynasty was born. Saint Francis women's basketball won nine NEC Tournament titles from 1996 to 2005. Leading that "Golden Era of Red Flash Women's Basketball" was Stacy Alexander (1992-96), Mary Markey (1994-98), Jess Zinobile (1996-00), and Beth Swink (2001-05) as the four pillars of that dynasty. Zinobile's jersey number already hangs in the rafters at DeGol Arena. Alexander, Markey, and Swink jerseys will join the Zinobile as part of a celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the start of the incredible run during the Saint Francis game against New Haven on Saturday, January 24, at 2 p.m.

STACEY ALEXANDER (#11) CLASS OF 1996 - (PORTAGE, PA. / PORTAGE AREA HIGH SCHOOL)
Alexander became the first player in program history to be named the NEC Player of the Year in her junior season (1994-95). Alexander, along with classmate Colleen Joyce, were the first two players in program history to earn All-NEC honors three times in their careers. Alexander was named to the All-NEC second team in her sophomore year, followed by first-team distinction in her last two seasons. She was also named to the NEC All-Tournament team in her final three seasons. Alexander finished her career ranking second in program history in career points (1,566) and now sits ninth. She also registered 433 assists in her career, leaving Saint Francis in third, and has moved down one spot to fourth. Alexander helped the Red Flash to its first three NEC Championship Games in program history and its first NEC Tournament title in 1995-96. Saint Francis was 61-53 overall and 37-25 in NEC play in her career, and 52-35 overall and 30-14 in league play in her last three seasons.

"Saint Francis holds a very special place in my heart, and I am honored to have No. 11 hanging in the rafters. I am grateful for the support of my teammates, coaches, and family, and look forward to coming back to Loretto!" - Stacy Alexander

MARY MARKEY (#42) - CLASS OF 1998 (NEELYTON, PA. / SOUTH HUNTINGDON HIGH SCHOOL)
Markey was the NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player in the first Red Flash title in 1995-96 and again in 1997-98, and was a three-time All-NEC Tournament honoree. She also became the second player, after her teammate Alexander, to be named NEC Player of the Year in 1996-97, and the first to win two major awards, having also been named NEC Rookie of the Year in 1994-95. A two-time All-NEC first-team performer in her last two seasons and an NEC All-Rookie team performer, Markey was named to the NEC 25th Anniversary team. Markey left as the program's all-time leading scorer (1,704) and now sits sixth, while she left fourth in rebounding (818, now sixth) and third in blocks (129, now fifth). Markey was also the first player in program history with two 500-point seasons (522 [1996-97] and 533 [1997-98]). Markey was one of the first players in team history to play in the NEC Championship Game all four years and was a member of the first three NEC Championship teams. During her four years, Saint Francis was 81-38 overall and 58-12 in NEC play. 

"It is difficult to put into words what this honor means. I am deeply grateful to everyone who shaped my journey at Saint Francis University. To my coaches — Jenny Prezkwas, Pippa Pierce, and Carol Holtz — thank you for taking a chance on a raw, small‑town kid from Southern Huntingdon and welcoming me into this program. To the Loretto community, your energy and unwavering support filled the stands and carried us through every home game. To the athletic training staff, Jennifer and Terry, thank you for tending to every ache, pain, and setback that comes with competing at the Division I level. Lastly, to ALL of my teammates, your dedication, work ethic, and talent pushed me in every practice and helped build the winning history we share. I am humbled and grateful for the people who stood beside me, and above all, I am truly blessed by God Almighty for the path He has laid before me. This is a "full circle" moment. I will carry it with me always as a proud, lifelong member of the Red Flash family." - Mary Markey

BETH SWINK (#52) - CLASS OF 2005 (CONNELLSVILLE, PA. / CONNELLSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL)
While Alexander and Markey started the dynasty, Swink helped Saint Francis continue the run after a one-year absence in the NEC postseason the season before she arrived in Loretto. Swink and four of her teammates joined Zinobile's class as the 11 players in team history to win an NEC Championship all four years. She was named NEC Rookie of the Year (2001-02), the NEC Player of the Year (2003-04), and a two-time NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player (2002-03, 2004-05). The second player in team history to be a three-time All-NEC first-team performer, Swink was a member of the inaugural NEC Hall of Fame Class and the 25th Anniversary team. She was the second player in team history to reach 2,000 points in her career and now sits fourth with 2,127 career points. Swink also ranked third in rebounding when she left (957, now fourth), fourth in steals (204, now seventh), and sixth in blocks (87, now seventh). In the classroom, she was twice named the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2003-04, 2004-05), the NEC Female Team Student-Athlete of the Year (2004-05), and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2003-04, 2004-05). The Red Flash went 88-36 overall in her four years and 64-8 in NEC play.

"Saint Francis has always felt like home to me. Looking back on my career, I'll cherish most the family atmosphere and the memories with my teammates and coaches. ​Having my jersey retired is the ultimate icing on the cake of my basketball career. But I'm most grateful for the people who helped me get here. Just want to say a big thank you to my family, friends, teammates, coaches, and the SFU community for being part of my journey." - Beth Swink

HISTORY OF THE RED FLASH WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DYNASTY (1995-05)
Before Alexander arrived on campus in the fall of 1992, Saint Francis was 165-278 in the first 24 years of program history. The arrival of the Portage native changed the program's trajectory, with the team going 243-144 over the next 12 years. After going 8-18 in Alexander's freshman year, the Red Flash went 15-14 overall and 12-6 in NEC play to set team records for overall and NEC wins, both marks would not stand for long. Saint Francis advanced to the NEC Championship Game for the first time, a regular occurrence over the next 12 years. Markey joined the team in Alexander's junior year when Alexander was named the first-ever Red Flash NEC Player of the Year in 1994-95. The Red Flash finished a program-record 21-9 overall and 16-2 in NEC play in 1995-96. After falling to the Mount in the first two NEC Championship bouts in 1993-94 and 1994-95, Saint Francis ended the Mountaineers' dynasty hopes in Emmitsburg at Knott Arena with an 83-75 victory, and Markey was named the NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Alexander graduated, and Zinobile arrived in 1996-97, and the Red Flash continued its dominance by winning the next four NEC Tournament titles. Markey was named the NEC Player of the Year in 1996-97 and earned her second NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player award in 1997-98 Zinobile became the first player to win NEC Player of the Year honors twice in her career (1997-98, 1999-00), the first player to be named NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player three times (1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00) and was also the NEC Rookie Of the Year in 2015-16. Markey, Swink and Zinobile are the only three players in program history to win the NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player award more than once.After Zinobile graduated in 2000, the Red Flash had its first losing season since Alexander's first year before Swink arrived in the fall of 2001 to rejuvenate the program and lead the Red Flash to four more titles. Swink was named the NEC Player of the Year in 2003-04 and the NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2002-03 and 2004-05. During the 2003-04 season, Saint Francis went 25-6 overall and was perfect at 18-0 in NEC play, becoming the first team in NEC history to go undefeated in NEC play. Zinobile also scored a then program-record 46 points against LIU on March 4, 2000, while Swink was the first player to have 40 points in an NEC Tournament game against St. Francis Brooklyn on March 5, 2005.

During this 10-year period the Loretto program won at least 18 games in nine of the 10 years with six 20-win seasons, including a program record 25 wins in 2003-04.
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Saint Francis was one of four teams that won its conference tournament in nine of 10 seasons from 1996 to 2005. Old Dominion won the Colonial Athletic Conference all 10 years, while UC Santa Barbara won nine tournament titles from 1997-05 in the Big West, and Louisiana Tech won the Sun Belt Tournament from 1996-01 and then continued its dynasty in the Western Athletic Conference with titles in 2002-04. 

The Red Flash won five straight tournament titles, then, after a year's break, won four more. Old Dominion won 10 straight in the 10 year span, while Louisiana Tech (9), UConn (seven, Big East, 1995-02), Duke (five, Atlantic Coast Conference, 2000-04), Grambling (five, SWAC, 1996-00), Stephen F. Austin (five, Southland Conference, 1998-02), Austin Peay (four, Ohio Valley Conference, 2001-05), Chattanooga (four, Southern Conference, 2001-04), Green Bay (four, Horizon League, 2002-05), Holy Cross (four, Patriot League, 1998-01) joined Saint Francis with a streak of four of more crowns during this span. 

With Swink's class graduating in 2005, the dynasty ended, but the Red Flash returned to glory and won the NEC Tournament title in 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2017-18. Saint Francis has an unprecedented 12 NEC Tournament titles and appeared in 17 NEC Championship Games. NEC play begins on January 2 with the Red Flash sitting at an NEC-record 396 wins, just four wins shy of 400. 

BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS FROM THE RED FLASH WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DYNASTY
Four NEC Tournament Championship titles (11 players)
Beth Barnabei (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Christin Black (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05); Linda Boyer (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Jen DiFilippo 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Angel Edwards (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Ashley Enyeart (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05); Regina Schlichter (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05); Nikki Shrift (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05); Beth Swink (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05); Bridget Ward (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Jess Zinoble (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00)

Three NEC Tournament Championship titles (10 players)
Shannon Burnham (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04); Kristin Casker (1998-99, 1999-00, 2001-02); Carlin Chesick (1999-00, 2001-02, 2002-03); Kristen Cirigliano (1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Karen Hewitt (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04); Deanna Jubeck (1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Mary Markey (1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); April Sanner (1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99); Jessica Van Der Leest (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04); Tonjee Ward (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04)

Two NEC Tournament Championship titles (4 players)
Sara Bolten (2003-04, 2004-05); Carolyn Bull (1995-96, 1996-97); Nicole Hudson (2003-04, 2004-05); Jean Williams (1995-96, 1996-97)

One NEC Tournament Championship title (19 players)
Stacy Alexander (1995-96); Emily Bollinger (2004-05); Casey Burke (1995-96); Lauren Canavan (2001-02); Mandy Clelland (1998-99); Colleen Connors (1995-96); Cara Davis (1996-97); Danya Dougherty (1995-96); Amber Hein (2004-05); April Jackson (2004-05); Tracey Jackson (2004-05); Colleen Joyce (1995-96); Monique Mason (2002-03); Laura O'Bryan (2004-05); Sally O'Donnell (1995-96); Kamara Price (1995-96); Jordin Schaffner (1999-00); Kristin Summers (2003-04); Nicole Whitworth (1995-96)

NEC AWARDS (1995-2005)
NEC Player of the Year
Mary Markey (1996-97), Beth Swink (2003-04), Jess Zinobile (1997-98, 1999-00)

NEC Defensive Player of the Year
Christin Black (2004-05); Tonjee Ward (2002-03, 2003-04)

NEC Rookie of the Year
Jess Zinobile (1996-97), Beth Swink (2001-02)

NEC Coach of the Year
Jenny Pzekwas (1994-95, 1996-97)

All-NEC First Team
Stacey Alexander (1995-96); Carlin Chesick (2001-02, 2002-03); Colleen Joyce (1995-96); Mary Markey (1996-97, 1997-98); Beth Swink (2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05), Tonjee Ward (2003-04); Jess Zinobile (1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00)

All-NEC Second Team
Christin Black (2004-05); Carlin Chesick (2000-01)

NEC All-Rookie Team
Jen DiFilippo (1996-97); Jordin Schaffner (1999-00); Beth Swink (2001-02); Jess Zinobile (1996-97)

NEC All-Tournament Team
Stacey Alexander (1995-96); Sami Allison (2002-03), Christin Black (2004-05); Carlin Chesick (2001-02, 2002-03); Jen DiFilippo (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00); Karen Hewitt (2001-02); Colleen Joyce (1995-96); Mary Markey (1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98); Beth Swink (2003-04, 2003-05); Tonjee Ward (2001-02, 2003-04); Jess Zinobile (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00)

SAINT FRANCIS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RECORD (1995-2005)
 

YEAR	W	L	W	L	NEC CHAMPIONSHIP	NCAA TOURNAMENT
1995-96	19	11	13	5	W, 83-75, Mount St. Mary's	L, 66-98, Georgia
1996-97	21	9	16	2	W, 69-56, Monmouth	L, 50-94 Alabama
1997-98	22	8	14	2	W, 774-49, Wagner	L, 39-92, Old Dominion
1998-99	18	12	14	6	W, 88-76, Monmouth	L, 46-97, UConn
1999-00	23	8	15	3	W, 74-60, Wagner	L, 63-92, Iowa State
2000-01	9	18	8	10	-	-
2001-02	19	12	14	4	W, 74-53, LIU	L, 37-86, UConn
2002-03	23	8	16	2	W, 58-41, UMBC	L, 36-51, Villanova
2003-04	25	6	18	0	W, 70-55, Monmouth	L, 59-78, Purdue
2004-05	21	10	16	2	W, 65-50, Robert Morris	L, 33-64, Minnesota
TOTAL	200	102	144	36	-	-