In an offseason filled with turmoil and uncertainty, the women’s basketball squad prepares to hit the hardwood gunning to improve.
Last year became what some would title as a “rebuilding phase” as the team fell to a 9-21 win/loss record despite team cohesion and moments of promise.
Offseason activity has been a whirlwind for the Lady Warriors seeing assistant coach Matt Williams leave the program, sophomore Forward Rachel Harter out for the season due to an ACL tear, and the losses All-Time Lady Warrior Points leader Jessica Steigleman and Center Emily Goette.
10th year coach Terry Williams hit the recruiting trail to plug the holes in his roster and signed four freshman and one transfer in an effort to bolster his six returning players from the 07-08 season. Looking to guide the Warriors on the floor will be Pre-Season All Conference pick Senior Guard Kailey Bostwick and fellow Guard and Senior, Ashley Connell.
A relatively unknown player will roam the Jeffers Center’s floor in Transfer Monique Tribble. Recently signed from Clackamas Community College, the imposing 6’2 Center will add a whole new dimension to Lady Warrior Basketball and reinforce an already capable defense that ranked 4th in the CCC.
A very energetic Bostwick remarked on her new teammate, “(She) kind of just fell into our laps, Coach made contact with her and she signed, we lost a girl (Goette) and then getting Monique was a gift from God for sure!”
A deep freshman class will give Coach Williams a flexible bench in an effort to keep fresh players on the floor and begin climbing the ladder in offensive categories, an aspect that will be heavily emphasized in practice. Freshman signees include Guard Kira Lyon, Forward Katie Steigleman, and Centers Becky Buhler and Joani Reimer.
Injured sophomore Rachel Harter emphasized “everyone on the team from starters to bench is a vital part of our team.”
This mentality as well as a newly chosen team verse (Matthew 19:26) will a driving force on and off the floor, “(The verse) is about without God nothing is possible, but with God everything is possible, we’re going to write that on our arms for every game” said Team Captain Bostwick.
The Pre-Season Coaches Poll for the Cascade Collegiate Conference was released on October 13 and ranked the Warriors in 8th place out of the 11 team pool.
In response to the poll, sophomore Guard Jenessa Miller responded “As far as the team goes we have the potential to really take the conference by surprise.”
The Lady Warriors take to floor for the first time in the 08-09 Season in a non-conference exhibition against the D-1 University of Washington Huskies in Seattle Washington. After a brief stint for a three game set in Redding, California, Corban will open at home against Simpson University on November 22nd.