MARIETTA, Ohio — Third-year Head Coach Jon VanderWal and his Marietta College men's basketball team are anxiously awaiting the start of the 2009-10 season. The Pioneers are looking to build off a successful 2008-09 campaign, which saw youthful Marietta finish 12-14 overall and place sixth with a 7-11 record in the final Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) standings.

VanderWal, who led Marietta to its first OAC Tournament appearance since the league changed to the eight-team format in 2003-04 and to the most wins since the 2001-02 team went 13-13, will once again be leading a young and talent squad this winter. The Pioneers return two senior post players along with eight sophomores and have added 13 talented newcomers to a program that is dedicated to playing competitive basketball each time it takes the court.

Marietta's roster will mirror that of a year ago, as the Pioneers welcome back 7-of-11 letterwinners and 4-of-5 starters. The 10 veteran players accounted for 76.9% of last year's scoring, 84.9% of last year's rebounding and 69.3% of last year's minutes.

VanderWal and his staff will look for on court leadership from all of its players, especially captains senior Matt Kubachka (Shade/Alexander) (Shade, Alexander) and sophomore Kevin Knab (Lakewood/Lakewood) (Lakewood, Lakewood). Kubachka, an athletic post player, missed the majority of last season with an injury and received a medical redshirt, allowing him to suit up for another year. Knab, who played in just 19 games due to his own injury, earned All-OAC honorable mention after averaging 14.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while also setting a new single-season school record for field goal percentage by shooting 68.7% as a freshman.

Wing Trevor Halter (Malvern/Malvern) (Malvern, Malvern) is also back for his sophomore season after a successful freshman campaign. Halter matched Knab in earning All-OAC honorable mention after tying him for the team lead with a 14.3 scoring average. He also averaged 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 2008-09.

Sophomore wing Joe Puch (Brunswick/Brunswick) (Brunswick, Brunswick) and sophomore center Conner Kilpatrick (Bowling Green, Bowling Green) join Halter and Knab as returning starters from last season. Puch finished fourth on the team with an 8.2 scoring average, hitting 37 of his 59 field goals from three-point range, and paced the team with 27 steals. Kilpatrick worked his way into the starting center slot down the stretch and contributed 4.6 points and 4.0 rebounds a year ago.

Two more talented big men, senior Daun Lutes (New Matamoras/Frontier) (New Matamoras, Frontier) and sophomore Zane Carter (Wellsville/Wellsville) (Wellsville, Wellsville), also return after showing the ability to provide both a scoring threat and defensive toughness on the block. Lutes tied Knab for the team lead with a 5.1 rebounding average while also averaging 7.1 points as a junior. Carter contributed 5.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a freshman. A healthy sophomore wing Zach Walton (St. Louisville, Utica) will also go along way to bringing depth and athleticism to the Pioneers this winter.

Marietta will open the 2009-10 season at Denison University on Nov. 15. The Pioneers then travel to Buffalo, N.Y., Nov. 20-21 for the Buffalo State Tournament before opening OAC play at 2009 NCAA Tournament qualifier Capital University on Nov. 29. Marietta's home opener is against Baldwin-Wallace on Dec. 5 and its annual Shrine Tournament is slated for Dec. 29-30.

Here is a closer look at the Pioneers by position:

Point Guard: Point guard is the only position that Marietta does not return a starter. Sophomore Zach Walton showed great promise running the offense but was limited by injury during his freshman season. In addition, five freshmen have entered the program with the talent to contribute early at the key spot on the floor in 2009-10.

Wing: Gone is three-time All-OAC honorable mention pick Isaiah Creasap. Returning to the floor, however, are 2009 All-OAC honorable mention selection Trevor Halter (Malvern/Malvern) and Joe Puch (Brunswick/Brunswick), Marietta's two starters as freshmen a year ago. Classmates Zach Walton and Jordan Nichols (Rossford, Rossford), as well as a host of freshmen, including Scott Kimmey (Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Falls), will give the Pioneers multiple options at wing in 2009-10.

Post: Marietta's frontcourt may be its deepest in recent history as five different players have extended starting experience. 2009 All-OAC honorable mention selection Kevin Knab (Lakewood/Lakewood) and Connor Kilpatrick are the Pioneers' designated returning starters. In addition, seniors Matt Kubachka (Shade/Alexander) and Daun Lutes (New Matamoras/Frontier) are expected to finish their careers with solid seasons in the paint, while sophomore Zane Carter (Wellsville/Wellsville) should continue to develop as tough match-up for any opponent on the floor. Freshman Jason Humphrey (Naples, Fla., Barron Collier) will lead a host of newcomers looking to earn time at the post in 2009-10.