A new day for Anteaters

Steve Virgen

Last year, Mark Adams endured his worst season since becoming head

coach of the UC Irvine women’s basketball team in the 1997-98 season.

However, in accordance with his returning players, Adams has become

stronger for it. The losses, along with newcomers who are expected to

provide offense and excitement, have resulted in extreme motivation

for the Anteaters.

“It’s going to be a completely different look from last year.”

Adams said. “Our guard play will be real strong. Our post play will

be a little bit inexperienced. But, I think Lauren Yadon is

physically strong to help us down there. I believe our perimeter

shooters are going to be much better than last year, so that will

open it up for our kids in the paint.”

The Anteaters, who finished 8-20 last year, had a strong force in

the paint last season in Cindy Oparah, who earned first-team All-Big

West honors in her final season. Oparah’s absence, however, will

result in a wide-open offense, where there will be various

contributors, Adams said. But, UCI will have to adjust to the loss of

freshman guard Megan Aaker, who injured her knee and will redshirt

the season.

Still, the Anteaters are confident this season has the potential

to be special.

“We’re going to surprise some people,” said UCI senior Wendy

Gabbe, the only senior on the squad. “I think the losing season is

going to bring us up. I learned that we have to battle. If we stick

with it and play as a team, good things will follow.”

Gabbe, a 5-foot-11 guard, will be looked to provide outside

shooting. Last year, she averaged 10.5 points per game in Big West

Conference action, and hit 31 of 71 three-point shots. Kristen Green,

a 5-8 junior guard, will provide defense and, along with the other

returners, will display the results of a productive off-season.

Returners, who developed strength and showed progress during the

off-season, include Christina Callaway (6-0, junior forward), Lisa

Faulkner (5-5, sophomore guard), Ashley Biggins (6-4, sophomore

center) and Katie Sturgeon (6-2, sophomore forward).

Adams is excited to blend the returners’ chemistry with his eager

incoming class, which features, redshirt sophomore Courtney Ferguson,

a transfer from St. Mary’s who is regarded as the team’s best

shooter, as well as freshmen Kristin Thawley, Joanna Usher (6-5

center) and Yadon (6-3 center).

Thawley, a former Irvine High standout, is probably the most

versatile player on the team, Adams said.

And, the incoming class, overall, is “probably the best class,

across the board, we’ve ever had come in here,” he said.