November 10, 2007 in Sports

Whit women shoot for consistency

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The Whitworth women’s basketball team suffered through bouts with inconsistency last year, ultimately undermining the team’s thrust for a postseason berth.

Pirates coach Helen Higgs hasn’t forgotten.

“It was hard,” Higgs said. “We could be world-beaters one night and then average the next night. We’ve talked about that. I think we’ll be better at that. We better be, or we’ll not reach our goals.”

Junior forward Alida Bower is back after leading the Pirates with 13.6 points a game, and Natalie Orrell is primed to improve on last year’s solid freshman campaign in which she averaged 10.4 points. Seniors Cassie Snyder and Teresa Zeitler are two skilled players in the backcourt.

“We have great guard play,” Higgs said. “It’s not necessarily going to show up every night in the scoring column … but they all play great defense, play really hard and have great leadership. We have some depth there this year.”

The Pirates’ versatility will afford Higgs the opportunity to tinker with her lineups and throw varied looks at opponents. She acknowledged she ran a simplified system last year with a younger group that finished 14-11 overall, 8-8 in the NWC.

Tiffany Corigliano appeared in all 25 games off the bench last year and averaged 7.8 points and 4.7 rebounds. She’s aggressive at attacking the hoop, and she’ll likely play a much more pronounced role in the low post this season following the graduation of Susan McDaniel.

Sophomore Leah Pomante is a long-range threat off the bench at point guard, and Higgs said third-year player Molly Schlander will provide a boost as a reserve guard.

Higgs believes the Pirates – picked fourth in the conference preseason poll – can challenge George Fox and Puget Sound for the NWC crown.

“That’s our goal,” Higgs said. “Talent-wise, we were right there last year but inconsistent. Why not strive to be the best? If we have the talent – and I think we do – why not strive for it? We put it out there, and we’ll work for it.”

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