SALEM - Carla Flaherty will serve as the new head coach of the Roanoke College women's basketball program announced by Director of Athletics, Scott Allison, on Monday. Flaherty steps into the role previously held by Susan Dunagan, who retired after 33 Years at the helm of the women's basketball program.

"We're pleased to welcome Carla to our staff. She's a great fit for us," said Allison. "At Bates College, Carla developed her NCAA Division III roots. As a player at Bates she was one of their all-time greats. She stayed on as an assistant, cutting her recruiting "teeth" in the NESCAC, an elite Division III conference. Most recently, as the Head Coach at Lasell College, Carla took over a neophyte program. In four short years, she turned Lasell into a competitive Division III program."

Flaherty comes to Salem after spending four years as Head Women's Basketball Coach at Lasell College. In the 2013-14 season, she guided the Lasers to a record of 12-14 and the team's first Great Northeast Athletic Conference post-season appearance in program history.

Prior to her time at Lasell, Flaherty spent six years as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at her alma mater, Bates College from 2004-2010. During that six year span, Flaherty aided the Bobcats to a record of 104-53, which included four NESCAC Tournament appearances, along with a NCAA Division III Tournament Sectionals appearance in the 2004-05 season. Also during her time at Bates College, she served as the Interim Head Women's Soccer Coach in 2008, as well as the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach from 2005-07.

"I am excited to join the Roanoke family with its rich history that is evident within the athletic department and the surrounding campus community," said Flaherty. "I am honored to take over the reins from a true coaching legend. I look forward to working with the women's basketball team to achieve excellence both on and off the court."

Flaherty inherits a women's basketball program that is coming off of a 13-13 season and advanced to the ODAC Tournament Quarterfinals. The team also returns three starters, including Tatum McKee, who was the team's leading rebounder with 7.2 rebounds per game. McKee is joined also by Kelsey Smith as the pair averaged over nine points per game in the 2013-14 season.

Flaherty received her bachelor's degree from Bates College in 2003, where she was a four-year two sport athlete in basketball and softball. As a Bobcat, she finished her basketball career with 1,143 points, the fifth highest point total in program history at the time. Her success on the hardwood earned her All-NESCAC First Team, All-Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association First Team and All New England honors from d3hoops.com. She continued her education with a Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University in 2010.

Flaherty's position will begin effective September 1.

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