Women's Basketball Schedule-----Women's Basketball Roster-----2000 Men's Basketball Team

Coaching Staff

Mark and Maggie Peeler with daughter Hope

Maggie Peeler, Head Coach
mgpeeler@erskine.edu

Maggie Peeler begins her second season guiding the Erskine women's basketball program in 2000-2001. Peeler joins with her husband Mark, the Erskine men's coach, to form a unique college coaching duo. The goal for Peeler is two-fold. She wants to bring a family atmosphere into the Erskine program while also developing a winning tradition that has not been experienced at the NCAA Division II school.

Her rebuilding efforts in 2000-2001 were positive. The Fleet could only manage five wins during the season but clearly the attitude had changed. Peeler used several freshmen to lay a solid foundation for the future and hopes to bring in a large class for 2001-2002. She instituted a new playing style, relying heavily on the three-point shot and focusing on strong defense.

Peeler provided the Flying Fleet with a shot in the arm of enthusiasm and energy as she took over the reigns in the summer of 2000. Her passion for the game is reflected on her players. The 1996 graduate of Davidson College played four years for the Lady Wildcats, despite suffering through two ACL surgeries. Peeler, who served as co-captain from 1994-96, remains in the Davidson women's basketball record books for three-point shooting. 

"My biggest goal is to establish a new attitude. These players need to love the game and play with passion. Love of the game and passion can make up for any difference in talent levels. Success at this level takes too much hard work for players not to enjoy it. We will be much more up-tempo, with players having much more freedom than they've had in the past. I look forward to continuing to recruit young people who are committed to the task and see Erskine College as a wonderful place to spend the next four years," states Peeler.

Peeler is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and has a wealth of experience in athletics. She is a former All-Region high school star in basketball, volleyball, and track. She anchored the 3200 Relay team in high school which finished third in the state of Kentucky. Peeler graduated from Davidson with a degree in English.

The Peelers reside in Due West with their two children, Hope (2 years) and Jenkins (born September 16, 2001).

Kristi Pollonais, Assistant Coach

Kristi Pollonais enters her second year as an assistant in the women's basketball program. The Topeka, Kansas native is a 1997 graduate of Tabor College where she played volleyball, basketball and softball. She served as a student assistant basketball coach her final two years at Tabor.

Pollonais comes to Erskine after serving as the middle school basketball coach at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina during the 1999-2000 season. She gained a reputation at Ravenscroft for being an excellent teacher of fundamentals.

"I hope to bring my knowledge and experience of fundamentals of the game to the Erskine players. I think sometimes at this level the fundamentals are forgotten. I also want to be an uplifter, a positive coach for them, because I don't think they have had that in the past few years," comments Pollonais on her new role.

First-year year head coach Maggie Peeler is excited about having Pollonais join her staff. "She will be a positive role model and an expert in when it comes to the basics of the game. I welcome her positive attitude and feel Kristi will be a tremendous help," comments Peeler.

Pollanais is married to Erskine men's soccer coach Garth Pollonais. The couple reside in Greenwood, South Carolina along with their son, Donte' (2 yrs. old).