SPOKANE, Wash. - Alaska Anchorage, coming off back-to-back 30-win seasons and Final Four appearances and a Great Northwest Athletic Conference co-championship, is a slight favorite to win the 2009-10 GNAC women’s basketball title.
But, the Seawolves, who will take the court without three-time GNAC Player-of-the-Year Rebecca Kielpinski for the first team in four years, are anything but a sure bet.
The race, in fact, figures to be a four-team affair featuring the Seawolves; six-time GNAC champion Seattle Pacific; Northwest Nazarene, which has qualified for the NCAA playoffs each of the past two seasons, and perennial playoff qualifier Western Washington, which has missed the playoffs just once in 11 years since joining the NCAA.
While Alaska Anchorage outpointed the other three in the GNAC Coaches pre-season poll, the four teams divided the first-place votes almost evenly.
UAA, which earned 72 ballot points to earn the pre-season nod from the conference coaches, received three of the nine first-place votes, while Seattle Pacific (69 ballot points), Northwest Nazarene (65 points) and Western Washington (64 points) received two first-place votes each.
All four schools qualified for the NCAA playoffs a year ago. For the second year in a row, UAA beat top-seeded SPU in the regional championship game, winning the 2009 title with a 54-43 win.
All four teams return at least seven letter winners and three starters. Northwest Nazarene leads the way with 10 letter winners (Only Saint Martin’s, which was picked to finish fifth in the coaches’ poll, has more as it returns 11).
NNU and Western Washington are also among four GNAC teams (along with Saint Martin’s and Western Oregon) with four starters back.
In fact from top to bottom every team in the GNAC has at least two players with starting experience and six of the nine have returning all-stars. Seven of last year’s top nine league scorers and six of the top nine league rebounders return for another season.
Alaska Anchorage, however, is one of three teams without an all-star as 2009 GNAC Coach-of-the-Year Tim Moser starts his fourth season at the helm after leading UAA to 84 victories in his first three seasons.
Among the conference’s returning all-stars are three first-teamers – SPU guard Daesha Henderson, Saint Martin’s forward Dara Zack and Western Oregon forward Katie Torland.
Torland is the league’s top returning scorer, finishing second a year ago with a 17.7 average. She also ranked ninth in rebounding (7.2).
Zack was the conference’s No. 3 scorer (14.3) and rebounder (8.8) and also ranked fifth in field goal percentage (48.3).
Henderson averaged 11 points per game, ranked second in steals (3.0) and field goal percentage (51.4) and fourth in assists (54.1) in leading the Falcons to a conference co-championship.
Western Washington has the league’s lone returning second-team all-stars in guard Amanda Dunbar and forward Jessica Summers.
Dunbar ranked sixth in scoring (13.1) a year ago, while Summers finished ninth in scoring (12.4) and sixth in rebounding (7.9).
The Vikings also have a third returning all-star in center Krystal Robinson, who was an honorable mention pick in 2006-07 before missing most of the 2007-08 season with an injury and then sitting out last season.
Other returning all-stars include Lindsay Brady, Brittney Roggenkamp and Kristin Hein, all from Northwest Nazarene; Jamey Gelhar and Roni Jo Mielke of Saint Martin’s; and Kayla Ryan and Shantell Marquis of Montana State Billings. All were honorable mention picks.
AROUND THE GNAC: Gelhar, Mielke, Ryan and Marquis were all 2008-09 GNAC statistical champions. Gelhar was the GNAC and national leader in free throw percentage, making 96.9 percent including a NCAA-record 78 in a row at one stage. Mielke led the conference in three-point percentage (57.6). Ryan was the leader in field goal percentage (52.5). Marquis won a pair of statistical titles, finishing first in both assists (6.2) and steals (3.4). . .Western Oregon will get a jump of the rest of the conference this weekend, at least in counting games, competing in the Disney West Coast Classic in Anaheim, Calif. The Wolves will open the tournament on Friday against Southern Indiana. WOU will also play Fort Lewis on Saturday and San Francisco State on Sunday. . .Western Washington played Trinity Western in an exhibition game last night. On Sunday, MSU Billings plays at Montana State and Western Washington hosts Simon Fraser in exhibition contests.
TEAM PROFILES
ALASKA ANCHORAGE SEAWOLVES
Head Coach: Tim Moser, Southern Colorado ’98 (84-15, 3 years)
Assistants: Rebecca Alvidrez, Mari Riser
2008-09 Record: 31-4
Conference: 14-2, 1st-T
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters: Nicci Miller (F, 5-10, Sr., 10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.3 spg); Tamar Gruwell (G, 5-8, Sr., 7.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.3 spg); Kiki Taylor (G, 5-6, Sr., 6.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spg)
Other Returnees: Hanna Johansson (F, 6-2, So., 4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 spg); Nikki Aden (G/F, 5-8, Jr., 4.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.0 spg); Viki Wohlers (C, 6-4, So., 1.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg); Brittany Collins (F, 5-11, Sr., 0.9 ppg, 1.0 rpg)
OUTLOOK
The Seawolves graduated Rebecca Kielpinski, the GNAC’s all-time career scoring (1,752) and rebounding leader (1,181).
But, they do return three of their top five scorers, including forward Nicci Miller (5-10, Sr., Denver, CO – Hinkley) who led a balanced attack averaging 10 ½ points per game and ranked second to Kielpinski in rebounding averaging 5 ½ per contest.
Also back are guards Tamar Gruwell (5-8, Sr., Fairfield, CA - Vacaville) and Kiki Taylor (5-6, Sr., Colorado Springs, CO – Harrison).
Gruwell contributed seven points per game, while Taylor was the only player on the UAA roster in addition to Kielpinski to start all 35 games.
Taylor chipped in with 6.2 points and four rebounds per game and led the team in steals with 69 and assists with 92.
Four other letter winners from last year’s 31-4 team also return including forwards Hanna Johansson (6-2, So., Gothenburg, Sweden) and Brittany Collins (5-11, Sr., Santa Barbara, CA – Alemany), guard Nikki Aden (5-8, Jr., Portland, OR – West Linn) and center Viki Wohlers (6-4, So., Wolfenbüttel, Germany – Conserve, Wisc.).
Among the newcomers for UAA who are expected to contribute this winter are six transfers, including three four-year veterans and three JC all-stars.
Forward Kelsie Gourdin (5-10, Jr., Littleton, CO - Heritage) has the most impressive credentials of the group. She played 54 games in two seasons at Mesa State, averaging 13 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Mavericks two years ago.
Guard Leah Stepovich (5-7, Sr., Fairbanks, AK – Monroe Catholic) contributed 4.7 points and two rebounds per game while playing at Seattle University during the 2007-08 season.
Guard Sarah Herrin (5-8, Jr., Nikiski, AK) averaged 6.0 points and 4.6 rebounds at Alaska Fairbanks in 2007-08.
The JC additions are guards Jessica Dela Cruz (5-10, Jr., Galt, CA) from San Joaquin Delta, Torle Nenbee (5-8, Jr., Salt Lake City, UT - Cypress) from Snow College and Kaitlin McBride (5-8, Jr., Bothell, WA) from Yakima Valley.
Dela Cruz averaged 13.1 points, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals in earning Big 8 Conference MVP honors at San Joaquin.
Nenbee averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds and shot 58.7 percent in earning first team NJCAA All-Region 18 honors at Snow.
McBride, who played her freshman season at Western Washington, was a second team NWAACC all-star at Yakima Valley, averaging 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals in leading the Yaks to a 14-0 conference record and the East Region title.
SEATTLE PACIFIC FALCONS
Head Coach: Julie van Beek, Northwest Nazarene '89 (96-21, 4 years; Overall, 258-140, 13 years)
Assistant: Michelle Skyles, Aubree Chesnut
2008-09 Record: 23-5
Conference: 14-2, 1st-T
Returning Letter Winners: 9
Returning Starters: Daesha Henderson (G, 5-8, Sr., 11.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3.0 spg, 1st team GNAC); Megan Hoisington (F, 5-11, Sr., 8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 spg); Maddie Maloney (G, 5-10, Jr., 8.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.8 spg)
Other Returnees: Melissa Reich (C, 6-2, Jr., 4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Jordan Harazin (G, 5-7, So., 4.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg); Caitlyn Rohrbach (F, 5-11, Jr., 4.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Nyesha Sims (G, 5-8, So., 3.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg); McKayla Gorman (G, 5-7, So., 1.3 ppg, 0.8 rpg); Chanel Smith (G, 5-6, So., 0.7 ppg, 0.2 rpg)
OUTLOOK
While the Falcons did graduate two of its their top three scorers in Kelsey Burns (12.3 points) and Kelsey Hill (10.3 points, 7.1 rebounds), coach Julie van Beek has virtually everyone else back who made significant contributions to last year’s GNAC championship team.
The title was Seattle Pacific’s sixth in the eight-year history of the GNAC - and the third straight under van Beek - as the Falcons improved their all-time conference record to 127-13, a .907 winning percentage,
Daesha Henderson (5-8, Sr., Snohomish, WA), who blossomed into one of the conference’s top guards a year ago, is back to lead a SPU squad that returns nine players. Four freshmen and two 6-2 transfers – including Sydney Benson from Division I Eastern Washington - fill out the roster.
Benson (Snohomish, WA) is probably the key addition. She sat out last season, but averaged 7.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 85 games over three seasons for the Eagles. Two years ago, she contributed 11 ½ points per game for the Division I school.
The other transfer is Joani Reimer (So., Ferndale, WA – Lynden Christian), who averaged 4.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in her freshman season at Corban College.
Henderson was SPU’s No. 2 scorer last season (11.0) and was also one of the top shooters, playmakers and defensive guards in the conference.
She ranked second in field goal percentage (51.4), making 114 of 222 shots including 33 of 94 three-pointers, and also ranked fourth in assists (4.1). She also had 85 steals to rank second in the GNAC.
Also back from SPU’s 2008-09 starting lineup is guard Maddie Maloney (5-10, Jr., Issaquah, WA - Skyline) and forward Megan Hoisington (5-11, Sr., Bremerton, WA – Central Kitsap).
Maloney averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals, while Hoisington chipped in with 8.9 points and was the team’s No. 2 rebounder, averaging 5.4 per contest.
Of the other six returning letter winners, forward Caitlyn Rohrbach (5-11, Jr., Edmonds, WA – Meadowdale) had the best numbers averaging 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game after sitting our the previous season after transferring from Alaska Fairbanks.
As a group the six combined for 16.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per contest.
Guards Jordan Harazin (5-7, So., Colfax, WA) and Nyesha Sims (5-8, So., Portland, OR – Jefferson)) contributed 4.0 and 3.8 points, respectively.
Two other guards, McKayla Gorman (5-7, So., Parker, CO – Chapparal) and Chanel Smith (5-6, So., Los Angeles, CA – University) saw limited time and scored 30 and 10 points, respectively.
The freshmen newcomers include Michelle Teng (5-7, Bellevue, WA – Bellevue Christian), Katie Thralls (5-6, Livermore, CA - Granada), Katie Benson (6-1, Snohomish, WA) and Rachel Murray (5-9, Eglington, New South Wales, Australia)
NORTHWEST NAZARENE CRUSADERS
Head Coach: Kelli Lindley, Washington State ’97 (146-105, 9 years)
Assistants: Ryan McCarthy, Carey Cook, Jessica Metz
2008-09 Record: 18-10
Conference: 11-5, 3rd-T
Returning Letter Winners: 10
Returning Starters: Lindsay Brady (G, 5-8, Sr., 13.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.4 spg, HM GNAC); Brittney Roggenkamp (G, 5-11, Sr., 12.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 spg, HM GNAC); Kristin Hein (F, 5-11, Sr., 10.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.8 spg, 1.4 bpg, HM GNAC), Jennifer Williams (C, 6-2, Sr., 8.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.5 bpg)
Other Returnees: Janee Olds (G, 5-8, Sr., 10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 40 3-ptrs, 1.8 spg) Briaunna King (F, 6-0, So., 9.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Beth Johnson (F, 6-2, Jr., 5.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Falissa Smith (G, 5-6, So., 3.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.1 spg), Julianne Bazzi (G, 5-6, So., 1.3 ppg, 0.8 rpg), Krista Oliver (F, 5-10, Jr., 1.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg in 2007-08)
OUTLOOK
Point guard Mallory Whipple is the only missing piece from last year’s Northwest Nazarene team that finished tied for third in the GNAC with Western Washington and qualified for the NCAA playoffs for the second year in a row.
The Crusaders return their top five scorers, including three honorable mention GNAC all-stars in guards Lindsay Brady (5-8, Sr., Boise, ID – Bishop Kelly) and Brittney Roggenkamp (5-11, Sr., LaCenter, WA) and forward Kristin Hein (5-11, Sr., Tualatin, OR).
Brady led the Crusaders in scoring and ranked fifth in the GNAC last season averaging 13.3 points per game, while Roggenkamp, who ranked seventh in the conference, and Hein chipped in with 12.9 and 10.0 points per game, respectively.
Hein also ranked second in the conference in rebounding pulling down 8.8 rebounds per contest. Brady and Roggenkamp contributed 4.4 and 4.2 boards a piece.
Also back from last year’s starting unit is center Jennifer Williams (6-2, Sr., Boise, ID – Centennial), who averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.
NNU’s returning supporting cast is also solid led by guard Janee Olds (5-8, Sr., Coos Bay, OR – North Bend) and forward Briaunna King (6-0, So., Redmond, OR).
Olds averaged 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals and also made 40 three-pointers. King chipped in with 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds.
Also back are guards Falissa Smith (5-6, So., Tigard, OR - Southridge) and Julianne Bazzi (5-6, So., Silverton, OR). Another returnee is Krista Oliver (5-10, Jr., Oregon City, OR) who was a letter winner in 2007-08 before redshirting last season.
Three freshman fill out the roster led by Katharina Schulte to Bühne, a 6-4 center who has played two seasons with the German national team and is mobile for her size.
The other two freshmen are 5-7 guard Heather Adams from Centennial High School in Boise and 5-10 guard Maria Ramirez from La Pine, Ore.
WESTERN WASHINGTON VIKINGS
Head Coach: Carmen Dolfo, Western Washington ’86 (375-152, 18 years)
Assistants: Jennifer Childress, Claire Pallansch, Liz McCarrell
2008-09 Record: 19-9
Conference: 11-5, 3rd-T
Returning Letter Winners: 8
Returning Starters: Amanda Dunbar (G, 5-9, Jr., 13.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 2nd team GNAC); Jessica Summers (F, 6-1, Sr., 12.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.2 bpg, 2nd team GNAC); Willow Cabe (F, 6-1, Sr., 9.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 bpg); Megan Pinske (G, 5-9, Jr., 4.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
Other Returnees: Gabby Wade (F, 5-9, Sr., 6.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.4 spg); Lauren Hefflin (C, 6-2, Jr., 2.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.6 bpg); Kristin Schramm (G, 5-9, So., 4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg in 2007-08); Krystal Robinson (C, 6-2, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.9 bpg, HM GNAC in 2006-07)
OUTLOOK
Though Western Washington returns just six letter winners from last year’s team that finished 19-9, the Vikings will be much more experienced than that this winter.
Two players from previous Viking teams return and a third player - guard Ashley Fenimore (5-8, Sr., Lynnwood, WA – Meadowdale) - redshirted a year ago after playing the three previous seasons at Central Washington.
Four of five seniors on the team – center Krystal Robinson (6-1, Kent, WA - Kentwood), forwards Jessica Summers (6-1, Blaine, WA) and Willow Cabe (6-1, McCleary, WA - Elma) and Fenimore all started their careers five or more years ago.
It provides Western coach Carmen Dolfo with a quartet that not only has experience, but a unique perspective on the importance of their collegiate careers.
“They’re a very seasoned group,” said Dolfo, whose career record of 375-152 entering her 19th season puts her in the Top 20 among active NCAA II coaches in victories and winning percentage (.712).
The top three scorers are back from last season. The trio is led by second-team all-GNAC guard Amanda Dunbar (5-9, Jr., Marysville, WA - Marysville-Pilchuck), who has been Western Washington’s scoring leader the last two years.
Dunbar averaged 13.1 points in 2008-09 to rank sixth in the GNAC. She also paced the Vikings in assists at 3.2 per game, ranking seventh in the conference.
“Amanda is a great scorer who can shoot outside and also drive,” Dolfo said. “But what a lot of people don’t realize is that she’s also a very good passer.”
Summers, who was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA this summer, was the GNAC Co-Newcomer of the Year last season and earned second-team all-conference honors, averaging 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a contest. The latter two marks were team highs and ranked sixth and fifth, respectively, in the GNAC.
The third starter back is Cabe, who averaged 9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots. She can play nearly any position, with enough height to play inside, but the ball-handling skills to play outside.
Cabe and Summers both sat out the 2007-08 season while not attending school. Fenimore redshirted per GNAC regulations after transferring from CWU where she was a three-year starter for the Wildcats, averaging 7.5 points and 3.8 assists in 2007-08.
Robinson was an assistant coach last season, but successfully petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility after having two seasons in her career cut short by injury.
She last played a full season in 2006-07, contributing 10.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots. She ranks second in Western history in career blocks with 190.
Besides the three starters back, three other letter winners return.
Guard Megan Pinske (5-9, Jr., New Westminster, BC - Port Moody) was a part-time starter, averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds despite still recovering from knee surgery.
Last summer, she was a late call-up to the Canadian National Team that competed in the FIBA Americas Championship, helping Canada earn a 2010 World Championship berth.
Center Lauren Hefflin (6-2, Jr., Ridgefield, WA) provides depth in the post. Hefflin, who has made 15 career starts, averaged 2.0 points and 3.0 rebounds last season.
Another returnee is forward Gabby Wade (5-9, Sr., Lacey, WA - River Ridge), who contributed 6.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 2008-09, twice getting six steals in a game. She, however, is expected to redshirt.
Also back are two players who redshirted last season - guard Kristin Schramm (5-9, So., Chelan, WA) and freshman guard Aly Stewart (5-10, Lakewood, WA). Schramm averaged 4.2 points in 2007-08.
Completing the roster are four true freshmen, including guard Corinn Waltrip (5-6, Tigard, OR). Waltrip was a Class 6A Oregon all-state pick as a high school senior, averaging 20.9 points, 3.5 assists and 3.4 steals.
The other three freshmen are post players. Center Britt Harris (6-2, Marysville-Pilchuck) averaged 15.6 points and 13.1 rebounds as a high school senior while earning all-conference honors at Marysville-Pilchuck.
Forward Erika Ramstead (6-0, Everson, WA - Nooksack Valley) was a first-team Class 1A all-state pick at Nooksack Valley where she averaged 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds.
Center Kendall Williams (6-1, Lake Tapps, WA - White River) averaged 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds and was named MVP of the South Puget Sound League.
SAINT MARTIN’S SAINTS
Head Coach: Tim Healy, Washington State '78 (167-188, 13 years)
Assistants: Lisa Hendrickson
2008-09 Record: 16-12
Conference: 7-9, 6th
Returning Letter Winners: 11
Returning Starters: Dara Zack (F, 5-10, Jr., 14.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.8 spg, 1st team GNAC); Jamey Gelhar (G, 5-6, Sr., 11.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 96.9 FTs, HM GNAC); Roni Jo Mielke (G, 5-6, Jr., 9.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.3 apg,, HM GNAC); Krissy Bassett (F, 6-1, Sr., 10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.6 bpg)
Other Returnees: Megan Teade (F, 5-11, So., 7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Megan Busch (G, 5-8, Sr., 4.7 ppg, 0.9 rpg); Katie Hawkins (C, 6-0, Jr., 3.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg); Emily Lashua (C, 6-0, So., 2.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Kelsey Baker (F, 5-11, So., 1.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg); Danika Lawson (F, 5-9, Sr., 1.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg); Destiny Schang (G, 5-4, Jr., 1.7 ppg, 1.0 rpg in 2006-07)
OUTLOOK
With two transfers joining 11 returning letter winners, Tim Healy’s Saints have as much experience as any team in the conference.
Back from last year’s starting lineup for the 14th year head coach are guards Jamey Gelhar (5-6, Sr., Brush Prairie, WA - Prairie) and Roni Jo Mielke (5-6, Jr., Harrington, WA) and forwards Dara Zack (5-10, Jr., Spokane, WA - University) and Krissy Bassett (6-1, Sr., Washougal, WA).
All four either averaged or were close to double-digit scoring numbers and were SMU’s team’s top four scorers a year ago.
Zack led the way and ranked third in the conference netting 14.3 points per game a year ago to earn first team all-league honors. She also earned a No. 3 conference ranking in rebounding pulling down 8.8 per game.
Gelhar contributed 11.7 points per game and 2.6 assists and set a NCAA single-season free throw record by converting on 94 of 97 attempts (96.9 percent) in earning honorable mention all-league honors.
Mielke also was an honorable mention all-league pick as she averaged 9.6 points and 3.3 assists and led the conference in three-point percentage making 19 of 33 (57.6 percent).
Also back from last year’s starting five is Bassett, who scored 10.2 points per game and also had 5.5 rebounds per game.
Six other players return and a seventh – guard Destiny Schang (5-4, Jr., Woodland, WA) - is back after sitting out the previous two seasons.
Forward Megan Teade (5-11, So., Colfax, WA) and guard Megan Busch (5-8, Sr., Bellingham, WA - Sehome) saw the most playing time of that group a year ago. Teade averaged seven points and two rebounds, while Busch scored 4.7 points per game.
Also returning are centers Katie Hawkins (6-0, Jr., Yakima, WA – West Valley) and Emily Lashua (6-0, So., Vancouver, WA - Prairie) and forwards Kelsey Baker (5-11, So., Spokane, WA – Lewis & Clark) and Danika Lawson (5-9, So., Edgewood, WA – North Idaho) along with Schang.
The additions include forward Kellie Snyder (6-0, Sr., Albuquerque, NM), who played in 17 games and had 22 points and 28 rebounds at Division I Southern Utah and guard Keisha McDonald (5-7, So., Olympia, WA), who netted 7 ½ points and 3 ½ rebounds at NAIA Evergreen State.
Three freshman – guards Britanie Lining (5-4, Lacey, WA – North Thurston) and Shelby Ferguson (5-8, Winters, CA – Davis) and forward Amber Zawislak (6-0, Yelm, WA) round out the roster.
WESTERN OREGON WOLVES
Head Coach: Greg Bruce, Purdue ’72 (19-62, 3 years; Overall, 312-199, 18 years)
Assistants: Sean Brokaw
2008-09 Record: 8-19
Conference: 3-13, 8th
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters: Katie Torland (F, 5-10, Sr., 17.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.6 spg, 1st team GNAC); Sara Zahler (G, 5-9, Jr., 8.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.2 spg); Shayla Corder (G, 5-10, Sr., 8.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.3 spg); Danielle Albus (G, 5-8, So., 6.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.1 spg)
Other Key Returnees: Erika Wilson (G, 5-7, So., 4.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.1 spg); A.J. Hawk (F, 6-1, Sr., 3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg); Danielle Bellando (F, 5-9, Jr., 2.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
OUTLOOK
Western Oregon finished eighth a year ago, but is projected to make the biggest climb this winter, earning a No. 6 ranking in the pre-season poll.
Forward Katie Torland (5-10, Sr., Burns, OR) is back to lead the Wolves after finishing second in the conference in scoring with a 17.7 average and earning first team all-league honors.
She is one of four returning starters for head coach Greg Bruce, who starts his 19th season as a head coach, including four in Monmouth.
Also returning from last year’s lineup are guards Sara Zahler (5-9, Jr., Newberg, OR), Shayla Corder (5-10, Sr., Winchester, OR – Roseburg) and Danielle Albus (5-8, So., Aumsville, OR – Cascade), who combined to contribute more than 22 points per game in 2008-09.
Zahler was the team’s No. 4 scorer (8.1) and No. 3 rebounder (4.3). Corder ranked second on the team in scoring, averaging 8 ½ points per game and Albus averaged six per game.
Guard Erika Wilson (5-7, So., Kirkland, WA – Lake Washington) and forwards A.J. Hawk (6-1, Sr., Ontario, OR – Walla Walla CC) and Danielle Bellando (5-9, Jr., Eugene, OR - Willamette) also return after contributing 4.2 points, 3.2 points and 2.7 points, respectively.
Complementing the six veterans is a recruiting class that features five freshmen and a former McDonald’s All-American nominee.
Meaghan White (6-2, So., Portland, OR – Jesuit) joins the Wolves after playing in 21 games at Division I Eastern Washington in her freshman season.
White scored 12 points and had 19 rebounds for the Eagles. She previously played at Jesuit High School in Portland, earning All-Metro honors twice. In her senior season she averaged 16.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Among the incoming freshmen are guards Lorrie Clifford (5-8, Eagle River, AK), Chelsy Okuma (5-2, Honolulu, HI – Kaiser), Jamie Richardson (5-7, Grants Pass, OR – Hidden Valley), Hannah Whitsett (5-8, Hermiston, OR) and Courtney Martin (5-11, Redmond, WA).
MONTANA STATE BILLINGS YELLOWJACKETS
Head Coach: Kevin Woodin, Carroll ’87 (88-53, 5 years)
Assistants: Natalie Visger, Lexie Halvorson, Lisa Jellum, Shawn O’Brien
2008-09 Record: 16-11
Conference: 8-8, 5th
Returning Letter Winners: 6
Returning Starters: Kayla Ryan (F, 6-1, Jr., 11.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.0 bpg, HM GNAC); Shantell Marquis (G, 5-11, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.2 apg, 3.4 spg, 1.1 bpg, HM GNAC)
Other Returnees: Mandy Jacobs (F, 5-10, So., 4.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg); Callie Kautzmann (F, 5-10, So., 3.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg); Melissa Porter (P, 6-3, So., 1.8 ppg, 0.9 rpg); Rachel Hansen (G, 5-9, Jr., 1.4 ppg, 0.9 rpg)
OUTLOOK
Montana State Billings returns two honorable mention all-stars, but coach Kevin Woodin will need to replace three of his top four scorers, including GNAC scoring champion Alira Carpenter, who averaged 22.3 points per game.
The only returning players who contributed five or more points per game last season are returning starters Kayla Ryan (Big Timber, MT – Sweet Grass County) and guard Shantell Marquis (5-11, Sr., Cascade, MT – C.M. Russell)
Ryan, a 6-1 junior forward, averaged 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds and ranked second on the team in both categories.
Marquis was the do-everything player for the Yellowjackets netting 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.1 blocks. Both players were honorable mention selections.
Four other players also return for another season, led by reserve forward Mandy Jacobs (5-10, So., Shepherd, MT), who scored 4.1 points and also netted 2.9 rebounds per game.
Also back is forward Callie Kautzmann (5-10, So., Nampa, ID - Vallivue), post player Melissa Porter (6-3, So., Redmond, UT – North Sevier) and guard Rachel Hansen (5-9, Jr. Lolo, MT – Big Sky).
Carroll College transfer Sarah McNamee (5-9, Jr., Miles City, MT) and five freshmen fill out the roster.
McNamee played in five games for the NAIA school after earning first team JC all-star honors at Miles City averaging 16 points and five assists. She set a Miles City single game scoring record with a 39-point output.
The incoming freshmen include guards Kylee Denham (5-8, Malta, MT), Kalli Stanhope (5-6, Glendive, MT – Dawson County), Kelly Lott (5-6, Twin Bridges, MT) and Monica Hollowell (5-6, Huntley, MT – Huntley Project) and forward Ashley Reed (5-0, Fr., Milwaukie, OR – Oregon City).
CENTRAL WASHINGTON WILDCATS
Head Coach: Jeff Whitney, Central Washington '95 (186-134, 12 years)
Assistants: Amber Hall
2008-09 Record: 7-20
Conference: 4-12, 7th
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters: Shaina Afoa (C, 6-1, Sr., 7.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 bpg); Nicole Jordan (G/F, 6-0, Sr., 4.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.6 bpg)
Other Returnees: Amanda Murdoch (G, 5-8, Sr., 7.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 spg); Sophie Russell (G/F, 5-10, So., 5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg); Jenn Jacobs (G, 5-9, Jr., 10.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg); Sara Bergner (G, 5-10, Sr., 5.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg); C’Era WalkingChild (F/C, 5-11, So., 2.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
OUTLOOK
Central Washington, coming off its first losing season since 1998-99, will rely on seven returning letter winners and a strong recruiting class to bounce back from a 7-20 injury-plagued campaign.
Just two starters return for 13th year head coach Jeff Whitney, who needs 14 wins to reach the 200-win plateau.
Center Shaina Afoa (6-1, Sr., Anchorage, AK – A.J. Dimond) averaged 7.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a year ago, while Nicole Jordan (6-0, Sr., Seattle, WA – Marysville-Pilchuck) contributed 4.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks.
Four other players averaged five or more points per game, though two of them had their seasons shortened by injuries.
Guard Jenn Jacobs (5-9, Jr., Bremerton, WA) averaged 10.3 points per game and was the team’s top three-pointer shooter (42.9 percent), making 15 of 35, before her season was cut to 12 games.
Sara Bergner (5-10, Sr., Bellingham, WA – Whatcom CC) played in only 16 games and averaged 5 ½ points and 3.7 rebounds.
Also back is guard Amanda Murdoch (5-8, Sr., Bozeman, MT), who contributed 7.4 points and had a team-high 21 three-pointers; guard-forward Sophie Russell (5-10, So., Olympia, WA – River Ridge), who averaged 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds, and forward/center C’Era Walking Child (5-11, So., Seattle, WA - Kennedy), who averaged 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds.
Two transfers, including one from Washington State, and four JC all-stars highlight Whitney’s recruiting class.
Guard Colleen Betteridge (5-9, Jr., Seattle, WA – Chief Sealth), previously played in 50 games in two seasons at WSU, averaging 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Amanda Juarez (Kirkland, WA – Lake Washington), a 5-6 point guard, averaged 8.4 points last year at Linfield in her freshman season.
Guard Brittany Duerr (5-9, Jr., Bellevue, WA – Newport & Centralia CC) heads up the JC newcomers. She was the NWAACC West Region MVP last season at Centralia CC after averaging 16.1 points to rank sixth, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists to rank ninth in the conference.
Forward Kayla Bennett (5-10, Jr., Bremerton, WA) ranked third in the NWAACC in scoring (19.5), third in rebounding (11.7), sixth in steals (3.3) and eighth in blocks to earn first team all-star honors in 2007-08 before sitting out a year.
Alychia Colón was a first team West Region all-star at Pierce last winter averaging 12.5 points and 7.8 rebounds. Another all-star was Deanna Riffe (5-10, Jr., Glenoma, WA), who averaged 13.9 points and 7.5 rebounds to earn first team NWAACC honors at Centralia.
ALASKA FAIRBANKS NANOOKS
Head Coach: Dave Thompson, Alaska Fairbanks ’96 (First year)
Assistant: Christian Hood
2008-09 Record: 5-20
Conference: 0-16, 9th
Returning Letter Winners: 6
Returning Starters: Ronisha Edwards (F, 5-9, Sr., 12.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.6 bpg); Nicole Bozek (C, 6-2, Jr., 12.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.6 bpg); Caitlin Hamsley (G, 5-3, Jr., 7.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
Other Returnees: Grace Milliken (F, 5-10, Jr., 4.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Jessica Harrison (F, 6-2, Sr., 5.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg in 3 games); Jessica Craig (F, 5-11, Jr., 0.0, ppg, 0.0 rpg)
OUTLOOK
A year ago, Alaska Fairbanks was forced to use 21 players because of injuries on the way to a 5-20 record.
Among the casualties was center Nicole Bozek (6-2, Jr., Mukilteo, WA), who averaged 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks before being sidelined for the final seven games.
Bozek, however, is back this season along with returning starters Ronisha Edwards (5-9, Sr., Compton, CA) and Caitlin Hamsley (5-3, Jr., North Pole, AK) as the Nanooks hope to rebound from a 0-16 conference record under first-year head coach Dave Thompson.
The 1996 UAF graduate has six returnees among 12 players on his roster.
Edwards averaged 12.1 points and led the Nanooks in rebounding, pulling down 9.3 per game a year ago, while Hamsley contributed 7.9 points, making a team-high 41 treys in 117 shots from beyond the arc.
Also back is Grace Milliken (5-10, Jr., Healy, AK – Tri-Valley), who averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds along with two other players – Jessica Harrison (6-2, Sr., Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Reno) and Jessica Craig (5-11, Jr., Fairbanks, AK) – who both had their seasons end in November because of injuries and were limited to three games apiece.
Harrison, who played in two seasons at Nevada Reno prior to joining the Nanooks, is one of two players on this year’s squad with Division I experience.
Forward Lakeshia Levi (5-10, Sr., Warner Robins, GA) joins UAF this season after playing in 11 games at Kent State where she contributed nine points and six rebounds.
Levi is one of six new players for UAF this year along with Brittany Aldrich (5-7, Jr., Udall, KS), who previously was a starting guard at Butler Community College in Kansas; Alexandra Melonson (5-6, Jr., Seattle, WA – Rancho - Las Vegas), a second team NWAACC all-star at Mount Hood where she averaged 12.6 points and 3.7 assists and Denise Benavides (5-3, So., Houston, TX), who redshirted one year at Alaska Anchorage.
Other newcomers for the Nanooks include freshmen guards Adrienne Beans (5-4, Mountain Village, AK) and Britany Anderson (5-6, Eielson, AK).