The UCSD women¹s basketball team will begin its season on Nov. 21 against Seattle Pacific on the road. The Tritons are 0-1 in the preseason after a tough 86-76 loss to USD on Nov. 8. The team was supposed to have two scrimmages before the season started, but both were cancelled. Despite the lack of preseason games, UCSD head coach Judy Malone is optimistic about the start of the schedule.
Guardian
“”USD was a good tune-up for the start of the season. They are a Division I school, and I thought we played well against them,”” Malone said. “”We have some tough teams to start with, and our conference is so tough. I was impressed by what I saw, especially with our offense. I don¹t think we scored 76 points in any of our games last year.””
The Tritons hope to improve from last season with four starters and two players who suffered injuries last year returning to the 2003-04 squad.
“”We had two players [junior center Katie McGann and sophomore guard Kim Buffum] that were hurt last year early on in the season, but they¹re back this year and they¹re healthy,”” Malone said. “”They are both impact players. McGann is a potential starter, and Buffum has a great outside shot.””
Senior team captain and First Team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association guard Ali Ginn will lead UCSD. She was the Tritons¹ leading scorer last year and Malone has high expectations of her again this season.
“”She¹s been taking 1,000 shots a day, and she looks really good,”” Malone said. “”Her form is really good, and I expect her to improve this year. She¹s an excellent wing shooter. She¹s our team leader.””
UCSD¹s starting five will consist of Ginn, freshman guard Leora Juster, juniors McGann (center) and Margaret Johnson (forward), and senior Thea Bachmann and sophomore Andrea Herold, who will split time at point guard.
Malone is happy to have the competition at point guard.
“”It¹s a position we¹ve been sparse in for a while,”” she said.
Malone is looking forward to seeing how the team will benefit from having a more experienced roster.
“”It¹s starting to click, starting to come together,”” she said. “”We have eight juniors and seniors this year. It¹s really the first year we have been experience-laden.””
She hopes this will help them handle UC Davis this year.
“”Theyare our main rival in the conference. They’re a big, strong team, but playing USD helped, and this year we have the experienced players which we haven’t had in the past,”” Malone said.
The team plays UC Davis at home on Jan. 16 and on the road on Feb. 21.
Malone also expects a lot from the freshmen this year.
“”Our freshmen are very solid,”” she said.
Surprise walk-on Hillary Hansen (who stands 6 feet tall), along with Megan Niedermeyer and Amy Bissinger (both 6 feet, 2 inches tall) have brought some size and toughness to the team.
“”It’s nice to have some height and strength,”” Malone said.
Other freshmen on the roster include Juster, Meagan Eshilian and last year’s redshirt Buffum. Rounding out the team are returning seniors Bachmann (guard), Ginn and forward Robyn Phillips.
The team has a tough start in its schedule, as they will continue on from Seattle Pacific to play two more road games against Central Washington and Grand Canyon before heading home to play in the Alumni Game on Dec. 6.
Malone is enthusiastic about the upcoming season.
“”We’ve got a good team this year and I’m looking forward to seeing what the team can do,”” Malone said. “”I’m excited about starting the season.””
