Lions aiming for national title

Vanguard women’s basketball season previewHeralded returners, talented transfers may help Lions attain the ultimate goal.The Vanguard University women’s basketball program has ventured to the NAIA Division I Tournament six times, made the quarterfinals the last three years, played in one semifinal (2003-04), won a combined 63 games the last two seasons, and begun a Golden State Athletic Conference dynasty.

Coach Russ Davis’ Lions were even ranked No. 1 in the nation for three weeks last season and begin the 2005-06 campaign atop the polls.

But as its accomplishments mount, so do expectations, and the daily inquiries from students, fans and media about when the program will claim its first NAIA crown.

“Everybody has been telling me this team should win a national championship,” said Davis, who is somewhat begrudgingly convinced those folks might be right.

“We’re bigger, stronger, more physical, faster, more athletic and we have a lot more depth than last year,” Davis said. “I guess that’s why we’re the consensus No. 1.

“[Janell Jones, who coached last year at NAIA power Oklahoma City and is now guiding UC San Diego,] watched one of our practices and told me this is as good a team as she has ever seen in the NAIA.”

Davis said he believes he may start four eventual All-Americans this season, including returning NAIA scoring leader and first-team All-American Kelly Schmidt, but there are still plenty of pitfalls to be overcome before cutting down the nets March 21 in Jackson, Tenn.

“We lost a lot of leadership from last year’s team [in NAIA Co-Player of the Year Lisa Faulkner and fellow senior starter Lacey Mills],” Davis said. “We’re very, very young and we have no seniors. And being ranked No. 1, we’re going to bring everybody’s best game out of them.”

But with Schmidt, a 6-foot junior forward, and returning All-GSAC performer Rachel Besse, a 6-2 junior, being joined by NCAA Division I transfers Jessica Richter and Tiari Goold, the Lions -- and not their opponents -- may control whether any upset occurs.

Schmidt averaged 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and shot 57% from the field as a sophomore.

“She’s rewriting the record books every time she steps on the floor,” Davis, beginning his 10th season at Vanguard with a 227-74 career record, said of the returning GSAC Player of the Year. “She’s the most consistent player I’ve had here and she is getting better every year.”

Davis said he believes Schmidt’s passing may be the biggest difference in her game this season.

“She’s becoming a better passer, because she has been double- and triple-teamed so much,” Davis said.

Richter, a 5-10 sophomore from Syracuse, made the all-freshman team in the Big East Conference last season. She averaged 14.3 points and can play any backcourt position, Davis said.

“She’s the best athlete I’ve ever had,” Davis said.

Goold, who played with Richter at Oregon City High -- also the alma mater of Faulkner and Mills, steps into Faulkner’s role at point guard.

“I would think she has to be the best point guard in the conference,” Davis said of the BYU transfer.

Goold averaged 2.9 assists and scored 31 points in 30 games with the Cougars as a freshman reserve.

“She’s really good in the open court, pushing the ball,” Davis said of Goold. ‘She has great court vision.”

Davis considers Besse one of the top two or three centers in the NAIA.

“[Besse] dominated at times last year [when she averaged 12.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and one block].”

Lacey Burns, a 5-11 junior, is a third-year starter, who averaged 8.2 points and 5.1 rebounds last season.

Melissa Cook, a 6-0 sophomore, tore an ACL in the GSAC Tournament last season and is still returning to the form that enabled her to average 10.4 points and 6.0 rebounds.

“Hopefully, [Cook] will be 100% sometime in December,” Davis said.

Andrea Jacobson, a 6-3 junior, should provide depth up front.

Returners Lindsey Rinke and Anna Dittenbir, as well as newcomers Lindsey Wood and Dani Drivstuen should add depth, as will sophomore Lindsey McClellan, who redshirted last season.

Wood and Rinke are talented three-point shooters, Davis said, while Drivstuen is the backup point guard.

Junior Laura Job also should add depth.

The Lions open today at 5:30 p.m. against visiting William Jessup. The GSAC opener is Nov. 29 at home against San Diego Christian.

THE LIONS

5 Lindsay McClellan So.

10 Anna Dittenbir Jr.

11 Jessica Richter So.

13 Tiari Goold Jr.

15 Rachel Besse Jr.

22 Lindsey Rinke So.

23 Lindsey Wood Fr.

24 Dani Drivstuen Fr.

25 Lacey Burns Jr.

30 Andrea Jacobson Jr.

31 Melissa Cook So.

32 Laura Job Jr.

33 Kelly Schmidt Jr.

Coach: Russ Davis (10th year)200511127A1KSV60No Caption20051112i81005kfDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Vanguard’s Kelly Schmidt is a two-time NAIA All-American and the reigning conference Player of the Year.20051112id2hkrkfMARK C. DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Andrea Jacobson, a 6-foot-3 Vanguard junior, will be counted upon to provide depth in the frontcourt this season for the Lions.