Madness Starts Early For Ewu Women
The Eastern Washington University women’s basketball team isn’t beginning the season with Midnight Madness activities on Saturday.
Just madness.
The Eagles, coming off a 6-21 overall and 2-14 Big Sky Conference record, return just one player who started last year in Tracy Ford. The 5-foot-10 forward, formerly of University High, started in 12 games and averaged 6.1 points per game.
Aside from that, the Eagles will have new everything, beginning with head coach Jocelyn Pfeifer, who had the word “inter im” taken off her title. Pfeifer, a four-year assistant who did not sign a long-term contract, got the job when former coach Heidi VanDerveer left to coach the WNBA Sacramento Monarchs.
The younger sister of Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer wasn’t the only one to leave Cheney.
The lengthy not-back list includes:
Leading scorer forward Tanya Kirk (14.3 ppg), who transferred to Cincinnati and will sit out a year; Kelly Bartleton, who transferred to Idaho and will sit out a year; guard Andee Schmick, who transferred to WSU and said she won’t go out for the basketball next year; guard Lisa Bocook, who transferred to Community Colleges of Spokane; guard Shana Ray, who will play at Seattle Pacific this year; and forward Elicia Sloan, who left the team but still is at Eastern.
“The kids who we have are great and they’re working harder than they’ve ever worked,” said Pfeifer, whose team begins practice Saturday morning.
Aside from Ford, Eastern’s returning letterwinners are forward Julie Moore (9.1 minutes per game), forward Juli Carlson (1.3 mpg) and center Shea Olson (2.3 mpg).
Eastern opens at home on Nov. 26 against Gonzaga.
Here’s a look at the other area Division I women’s teams as the first day of practice approaches:
WSU (10-17, 4-14 Pac-10)
The Cougars’ “Meet the Teams” will be held with the men’s team Oct. 25 in Bohler Gym 30 minutes after the conclusion of the WSU-Arizona football game.
Coach Harold Rhodes enters his 16th year with optimism after losing just two key players in point guard Jade Hyett and forward Amy Saneholtz.
Laura Wilder, an ACL victim last year, has decided not to play while freshman Jennifer Ludwicki did not return to Pullman.
But just like the past, injuries already have hit the Cougs. Sophomore guard Joanna Smith, an All-Pac-10 freshman, suffered a stress fracture in her right foot this fall. She can’t do hard running.
Sophomore Jen Kerns, sidelined with a broken left wrist most of last season, reinjured it this summer. She should be at full strength when the season starts on Nov. 21 at Colorado State.
Gonzaga (4-23, 2-12 WCC)
The Zags’ annual Midnight Madness celebration begins at 7 p.m. when the volleyball team plays host to No. 14 Pepperdine. Men and women basketball players will be introduced at 11:30 p.m.
“We’re going to play uptempo much more this year,” said fourth-year coach Kellee Barney. “Forget the pass. We’re changing a lot of things from a philosophy standpoint.”
GU returns starting guards Staci Andrews (27 games) and Lydia Ledgerwood (22) and center Sydney Perno (25).
“Our goal is to finish in the top four of the conference,” Barney said.
Gonzaga opens on Nov. 14 at home against Simon Frazer.
Idaho (14-14, 8-6 Big West)
The Vandals’ first practice will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Idaho’s returning starters are Big West freshman of the year forward Alli Nieman and 3-point specialist Kelli Johnson. Nieman currently is playing on the volleyball team and could miss the first few basketball games. In addition, Idaho’s team is loaded with key reserves from last year’s squad.
“This year, we have more depth than we’ve ever had since I’ve been at Idaho,” said fourth-year coach Julie Holt, who led the Vandals to the semifinals of last year’s conference tournament.
The Vandals open the season at home Nov. 18 against Lewis-Clark State College.
, DataTimes