Miranda Capuano (right) and Katie Keller are both four-year players who have been key contributors for the Lady Cougars during their careers. The two players guided MVNU to a 15-14 overall record last season that ended with an overtime loss in the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region championship game, and they are helping the Lady Cougars finish strong this year as MVNU has won three of its last four games.

Capuano, a 6-foot post from Carrollton, Ohio, has played in 109 games during her career and has scored 406 points and grabbed 334 rebounds. She has also contributed 67 assists, 13 blocked shots, and 36 steals. This season, the former Carrollton High School standout has played in all 26 games and is averaging 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds. Her best game of the season so far came in a 76-67 upset win over the University of Rio Grande when she scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds.

"Four years have flown by since we began this odyssey together,” said MVNU head coach Steve Gregory. "I remember seeing Miranda at a recruiting event four years ago and being impressed with her ability to run the floor at her height and position. As I continued to watch her, I saw much more from her that I was impressed by. It is hard for me to believe that my days with ‘Cap’ are almost done and that she will be getting her degree in a few short months.”

"Miranda has relished her role on this team,” Gregory added. "Each year, she has been ready, willing, and able to be placed in whatever position or role we’ve needed her in. I’ve especially been impressed with her throughout her senior season. She came in with a little different approach this year and has been a very nice presence inside and outside the locker room. She has provided us with stable, no-nonsense leadership this season, and she has been extremely loyal to her fellow teammates and coaching staff. Underneath that cool façade, Miranda deeply cares for her team. Win or lose, it’s family.”

Keller, a 5-foot-6 guard from Prospect, Ohio, has etched her name across the MVNU record books since the first game she played as a freshman. In that contest against the University of Michigan-Dearborn, the former Elgin High School star nailed a school-record 12 three-pointers and finished with 39 points to set the stage for what has been an outstanding career.

For her career, Keller (left) ranks first in school history in starts and consecutive starts as she has started in all 112 games during her four years. She is first in three-pointers made (258), second in field goals made (564), third in free throws made (321) and steals (254), and tied for fifth in assists (299). She is also just 11 points shy of tying the school’s all-time scoring record of 1,718 points as she is currently second with 1,707 points for a career average of 15.2 points per game. She also set the school record for points in a season (507) last year. This season, Keller is averaging 17.2 points and has nailed 75 three-pointers. She is also second on the team with 76 assists and 75 steals.

During her career, Keller has received numerous awards. She was named to the American Mideast Conference South Division All-Freshmen Team, the AMC South Division Second Team, and the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Second Team as a freshman. She was also featured in the December 8, 2003 issue of Sports Illustrated in the "Faces in the Crowd” section. After earning AMC South Division Honorable Mention status and landing a spot on the NCCAA East Region Team as a sophomore, she was selected to the AMC South Division Second Team, the NCCAA East Region Team, and the NCCAA All-American Second Team as a junior.

"Katie has made an indelible mark on the Lady Cougar basketball program over the last four years,” said Gregory. "Her name will be stamped all over the MVNU record book from her exploits on the basketball court. I am very proud of her accomplishments. To make a run at the all-time scoring record, you have to be consistent over a four-year period and avoid injuries. You would also have to be able to put points up on the board every night. That is exactly what Katie has done over the last four years. She would also be the first to tell you that she has had a lot of help over the years from her teammates. They have been very unselfish and have recognized that Katie is a scorer.”

"I’m equally proud of Katie’s achievements off the basketball court,” Gregory added. "She has grown into a loving and caring teammate who wants the best for her team. She has been a co-captain the past two years and has led us in team prayer before every game. She will get her degree from MVNU and she has also deepened her faith in God while here. I’m far more proud of those things than the wins, losses, and records.”