USD Women's Basketball 2007-2008

~OR£ROS. UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

2007-08 TORERO BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

GENERAL INFORMATION Location ........................................................................................................................ San Diego, CA Founded .......................................................................................................................................... 1949 Enrollment ..................................................................................................................................... 7,600 President..............................................................................................................Mary E. Lyons, Ph.D. Executive Director of Athletics ..................................................................................... Ky Snyder Senior Associate Athletics Director........................................................................ Mike Matoso Assoc.AD/Business Affairs ............................................................................................ Dan Yourg Assoc. AD/Sports Medicine ........................................................................Carolyn Greer, A.T., C Assoc. AD/Athletic Development .......................................................................... Brian Fogarty Assoc. AD/Facilities & Operations .................................................................................. Andy Fee Assoc. AD/ Senior Women's Administrator .......................................................... Shaney Fink Asst. Director for Marketing ..................................................................................... Chris Morales Assoc. Athletic Trainer ...............................................................................................Paul Signorelli Assoc. Athletic Trainer .....................................................................................................Wil Filamor Director of Athletic Performance Training ..................................................Stephane Rochet Asst. Director of Athletic Performance Training ............................... La'Keysha McClenton Sport and Business Psychology Consultant............................................ Karlene Sugarman Affiliation ...................................................................................................................NCAA Division I Conference ........................................................................................................................ West Coast Nickname ................................................................................................................................... Toreros School Colors ............................................................................................Torero Blue, Navy,White Athletic Dept.Phone .............................................................................................. (619) 260-4803 TEAM INFORMATION 2006-07 Overall Record ................................................................................................................ 21-9 2006-07 WCC Record (Place) ........................................................................................... 10-4 (2nd) 2006-07 Home Record ..................................................................................................................13-5 2006-07 Road Record ..................................................................................................................... 8-3 2006-07 Neutral Court Record ..................................................................................................... 0-1 2006-07 Post Season ........................................................................................................ 0-1 (WNIT) Letterwinners returning/ lost for 2007-08 ................................................................................ 8/ 2 Starters returning/ lost for 2007-08 ............................................................................................ 3/2 COACHING INFORMATION Head Coach .......................................................................................................................Cindy Fisher Alma Mater ........................................................................................................Arizona State (1988) Overall Record .......................................................................................................... 89-109 (7 years) School Record .............................................................................................................. 30-28 (2 years) Assistant Coaches.............................................................................................. Mary Ann Falcosky, ................................................................................................................... Niecee Nelson,Tiara Harris MEDIA RELATIONS Associate AD/ Media Relations .......................................................................................Ted Gosen Assistant Dir. of Media Relations (Women's Basketball Contact)................... Chris Loucks Media Relations Coordinator ...................................................................................Ryan Mccann Office Phone................................................................................................................ (619) 260-7930 Office Fax ......................................................................................................................(619) 260-2990 E-mail ............................................................................................................. cloucks@sandiego.edu Athletics website .......................................................................................... www.usdtoreros.com

TIME

OPPONENT

DATE Nov.9

2:00 PM 2:00PM

Cal State Bakersfield CS NORTHRIDGE

Nov.11

Seton Hall Tournament@South Orange, NJ

S:00 PM

Toledo

Nov.16 Nov.17

TBD

George Mason or Seton Hall

7:00PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00PM 7:00 PM

SOUTHERN UTAH

Nov.23 Nov.25

DAYTON Cal Poly

Dec.1 Dec. 5 Dec.8

San Diego State University

UCLA Pacific

Dec.15 Dec. 21

Cal State Fullerton

Surf N Slam Tournament @ San Diego, CA

6:00 PM

APPALACHIAN STATE DEPAUL or TEXAS

Dec. 28 Dec. 30

TBD

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:00PM 2:00PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM 8:00PM 2:00PM 2:00PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:00PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM

UC Irvine

Jan.6

University of San Francisco

Jan. 12 Jan. 17 Jan. 19 Jan. 24 Jan. 26 Jan. 31 Feb.2 Feb.9 Feb.14 Feb.1 6 Feb.21 Feb.23 Feb.28 Mar.1 Mar. 6 Mar.8 Mar.9

GONZAGA

UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND

Santa Clara University Saint Mary's College LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

PEPPERDINE

UNIVERSITY OF SF Univerity of Portland

Gonzaga

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE

Pepperdine

Loyola Marymount WCC Quarter Finals wee Semifinal wee Championships

TBD TBD TBD

Home games in BOLD CAPS are played at USD'S Jenny Craig Pavilion * West Coast Conference Game WCC Championships to be held at USD's Jenny Craig Pavilion The 2007-08 women's basketball media guide is a product of the San Diego Media Re– lations Office...The guide was designed, written and edited by Chris Loucks...Cover design by Chris Loucks...Photography provided by Brock Scott and Eric Drotter...Printing done by King's Printing

UffWSf&ily of San OiegO Archive&

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Torero Basketball Experience ........................... 42-43 USD Records Section ...........................................44-51 Year-By-Year ........................................................... 52-55 USD All-Time Roster ...................................................56 USD Postseason Section ...........................................57 West Coast Conference ...................................... 58-59 USD Sports Medicine .................................................60 USD Performance training .......................................61 NCAA Compliance.......................................................62 USD Administration ............................................. 63-70 USD Media Relations ..................................................71 TV/ Radio Roster ...........................................................72

General Information ..........................................................1 Season Outlook...............................................................2-3 USD Head Coach Cindy Fisher ...................................4-5 USD Assistant Coaches .................................................6-8 2007-08 USD Player Roster/Team Photo ................. 1 O Player Favorites ................................................................ 11 Player Bios .................................................................... 12-25 All-Time Series Records vs.Opponents ................... 26 Opponent Information ............................................28-31 2006-07 Final Statistics/ Results .................................. 33 This is USD....................................................................34-39 About USD Athletics.................................................40-41

TOREROS LOCKED, LOADED AND READY FOR NCAA TOURNAMENT RUN The 2007-08 University of San

fill Winther's role. One of those players is junior Kiva Herman. Her– man became another weapon in the USD arsenal this past season as she had flashes of brilliance, drop– ping in a career-high 17 points in a win against Saint Mary's. For the season, Herman averaged 5.4 points per game as well as 2.7 rebounds. Along with the slashing Her– man, senior guard Alcha Strane expects to have a breakout type of year. Strane is known for her sharp shooting and with her on the court along with Rego, USD can do some interesting things with one run– ning the break and the other on the wing. In her first season in a Torero uniform, Strane averaged 1.3 points per game and had 10 assists. Fisher and her staff are confident those numbers will rise in her senior cam– paign. Fisher is confident that the Tore– ros' post game could develop into one of the strongest in the WCC. Along with Sprague, junior Kaila Mangrum makes her return for the Toreros for year three. Mangrum is a big and strong player, who has done a lot of work over the off-sea– son improving her offensive skills. Her defensive skills came in big for USD down the stretch this past sea– son and coach Fisher only expects her to grow from last season. As a sophomore, Mangrum averaged 1.0 points per game and 1.7 rebounds per game. The coaching staff is also excited about redshirt freshman Erica Carl– son. Carlson, a 6-4 Tucson, Ariz. na– tive, was a first-team All-4A Sonoran League honoree her senior season at Canyon Del Oro High School. As a senior, she averaged a double-dou– ble with 14.6 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game. The remaining two returners for the Toreros, Hannah Morgenstern and Sarah VanderHorst, will not play this season, as each has suf-

Diego women's basketball sea– son will be much like a new sea– son of a popular television series. Each season, a television show has the same name and airs on the same network but often in– troduces new characters and new storylines. While the prem– ise and main characters of the show remain the same from year to year, each season is filled with new adventures, new drama and a whole lot of entertainment. Over the years, USD women's basketball has provided many chills and thrills. It's a storyline that seems to get better and better with each season. While the past two seasons have been vastly different, with the 2005-06 squad, Fisher's first season at the helm, posting a 9-19 mark, then this past season, USD posted the biggest turn around in program history, a 12-game improvement to finish 21-9, the program's first- 20 win season. Each season had its' own cast of players who cre– ated their own storylines and style of play. Gone from last season's record-setting team are defensive specialist Ashley Voisi– net and Sabine Loewe, but USD's cupboard is far from bare. Highlighting the returners for the Toreros this season will be the defending West Coast Con– ference Co-Player of the Year, Amanda Rego. Rego became the first player in the history of the program to take home confer– ence Player of the Year honors, after leading the nation with 8.1 assists per game. Rego set a new program single-season record with 230 assists, and steals with 80. "I know that with Rego being a senior, she wants to end her career on a high note and she definitely wants to win a cham-

pionship here and go to the NCAA tournament," stated Fisher. Another key returner for the To– reros will be the return of first-team AII-WCC performer Amber Sprague. Sprague returns after leading the team with a 14.8 points per game average and team-leading 7.9 re– bounds per game. Sprague also ranked in the conference's top-three in both scoring (14.6 ppg-3rd) and rebounding (7.9 rpg-2nd) . "Amber has made such a big step in the off-season. She has become a stronger leader, more vocal, and I think Amber will have a breakout type year," said Fisher. Another AII-WCC performer who returns is sophomore forward Mor– gan Henderson. As a freshman she played a huge role in helping lead USD to a 20-win season. Hender– son averaged 8.6 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game, not to mention becoming a huge threat from beyond the arc, as she tallied the second most threes on the team with 33. A blow to the Toreros was the loss of junior guard Kelly Winther to the season with an injury, but coach Fisher and her staff are confident that several players can step up and

-

Player of the Year in 2006 and first team All-Conference in 2005 and 2006 while averaging 22.3 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. This past season at CSU, she played in 25 games, averaging 4.1 points per games, 2.2 rebounds per game and recorded 14 blocks on the season. With all of this talent in coach Fisher's arsenal, the Toreros will look to have a challenging sched– ule ahead of them. Games that highlight the Toreros' schedule are home contests against UCLA and a possible rematch with ' Texas in the Maggie Dixon Surf N Slam Classic. USO will also square against an always strong Appala– chian State team in the first game of the Maggie Dixon Surf 'N Slam Classic and will take an east coast road swing to a tournament held by Seton Hall. After aJanuary 6 game against UC Irvine, the Toreros will open West Coast Conference play. For the first time in program history, USO was tabbed as the favorite to win the conference in a preseason coaches poll. Coach Fisher feels her non-conference schedule will help prepare the Toreros for wee play. After a two-year stint in the Pacific Northwest, San Diego will once again play host to the WCC's biggest event of the year, the wee Basketball Championships. "I am ecstatic that the wee

fered a season-ending injury. Van– derHorst averaged 1.3 points and 0.7 rebounds per game in 2006-07. Morgenstern used her redshirt last season and VanderHorst will use her redshirt season this year. The coaching staff is excited about this recruiting class. High– lighting the freshman is forward Sam Child from Portland, Ore. Child was tabbed as the Oregonian's Class 6A girls State Player of the Year as a senior. During her senior season, she set eight school records, includ– ing the single-season records for points (526), field goals made (212) and steals (96) and she finished her career as the second leading scorer in school history with 1,139 points. Another newcomer expected to see time on the court is Brianna Es– tell from Perris, Calif. Estell comes to USO after a stand-out career at Per– ris High School. As a senior, she av– eraged 15 points and 10 assists per game en route to an AII-CIF distinc– t ion. She was also nominated as a McDonald's All-American during her senior season. "Brianna Estell and Sam Child are going to be asked to play right away as freshman and probably play a lot of minutes," stated Fish-

I

er. "They are both very talented and athletic players, who love the game, love the sport and are in here all the time getting extra shots. They understand that this is a big opportunity for them and they are willing to do what ever it takes to get in that spot." Another freshman who the coaches are excited about is Emily Hatch from Portland, Ore. Hatch earned an All-State honorable mention as both a junior and se– nior and also earned a McDonald's All-American nomination as a se– nior. "Emily Hatch is just a warrior.

I

She is one of the strongest, fastest players I have ever coached,"stated Fisher. "She has a big strong body and she is very fast. She is great in the low paint and can really shoot championships will be held on the three." our home court this year," stat- The final newcomer to the To- ed Fisher. "We couldn't ask for a

better situation for our seniors Amanda Rego and Alcha Strane. This is a great opportunity for our seniors to closeout their senior campaign on their home floor.

reros will be a sophomore transfer from Colorado State University, Nya Mason. Torero fans will have to wait until the 2008-09 season to see her in action per NCAA trans– fer rules. Mason was a stand-out high school player at St. Mary's Academy in Portland, Ore. Mason was named Mt. Hood Conference

.,,, 3

Head Coach Third Season Arizona State

C indy Fisher was named the University of San Diego head women's basketball coach on April 19, 2005. In only her second season at the helm of the pro– gram, Fisher orchestrated the biggest turn around in school history, a 12-game improvement from 9-19 in the 2005-06 season to a 21-9 record in 2006-07 season. The turn around was the fourth best in the nation. USD has set a lot of records along the way as they have recorded the first-ever 20-win season in program history, finished second place in the West Coast Conference for the first time in program his– tory and had the best overall start in program history at 6-0 and in conference play at 6-0. Under her tute– lage, the Toreros placed three players on the AII-WCC lists highlighted by Amanda Rego being named the WCC Co-Player of the Year. Rego and Amber Sprague both took home first-team AII-WCC honors and Mor– gan Henderson was named to the AII-WCC Freshman team. For her efforts,Fisher was named the 2007 WCC Co-Coach of the Year. During her first season at USD, the Toreros showed remarkable improvement. The Toreros did record a huge 15-point win over Santa Clara on the road and were close in games against Georgia Tech, Boise State and against Loyola Marymount in the first round of the WCC Championship Tournament. Fisher also helped guide Tiara Harris to an AII-WCC selec– tion and Kelly Winther to an AII-WCC Freshman team selection . Fisher, the University of Nebraska's top assistant the previous two seasons, and head coach for Wyo– ming between 1998-2003, became USD's third head coach dating back to the program's inception in 1978-79. She took over for Kathy Marpe who stepped down after directing the program for 25 years. Fisher helped lead Nebraska to back-to-back ap– pearances in the WNIT during her two seasons with

the Huskers. In 2004-05, the team finished 18-14 overall and 8-8 in the Big 12. The Huskers recorded the program's first win over a top-5 team with its 103-99 victory over eventual NCAA National Cham– pion, Baylor, in January of 2005.They also posted Big 12 wins over No. 14 Iowa State and Oklahoma, both NCAA Tournament participants. Fisher recruited and coached Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Jelena Spiric, and recruited and developed post player, Danielle Page, who earned Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors twice. During the 2003-04 campaign, the Huskers fin– ished 18-12 overall, and produced one of the top 10 turnarounds in NCAA Division I women's basketball with 10 more victories. The team earned two wins over top 25 teams; the team cracked the top-25 na– tional rankings for the first time since 1999; and the 2004 recruiting class was ranked 28th nationally. In five seasons as the head coach at Wyoming, Fisher compiled a 59-81 record. However, Fisher's accomplishments at Wyoming go well beyond her overall coaching record. Fisher's Cowgirl teams showed improvement in each of her five seasons, culminating with an 18-12 mark in 2002-03. The 18 wins were the school's most victories since 1989-90. She also led the Cowgirls to their first postseason appearance since 1989-90 with a trip to the 2003 WNIT, where Wyoming notched a first-round win over Montana. The WNIT win over Montana marked the first postseason victory in Wyoming women's basketball history. Her 2001-2002 team at Wyoming finished No. 1 in the country in academic excellence with a team GPA of 3.486. Before taking the job at Wyoming, Fisher spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Old Domin– ion. She served as the Lady Monarchs' recruiting co– ordinator and scheduling coordinator and prepared scouting reports, while also acting as the team's

4

--

GETTING TO KNOW COACH FISHER

Favorite Torero Basketball Memory: The entire 2006-07 season.

Favorite place to visit: I actually have three, I like the Bahamas, Hawaii and Colorado.

Few people know: My favorite color is blue. My craziest ambition: To train race horses.

One word to describe myself: Loyal

My advice to youngsters: Work hard and stay focused on your goals.

Favorite free-time activity: Surfing

Favorite TV show: Run's House

public relations liaison. During her three-year stint, ODU compiled a 92-8 record, including a 34-win season and a pair of 29-win seasons. Old Dominion advanced to the national champion– ship game in 1997,and qualified for the Sweet 16 in each of her three seasons. Fisher also built up her coaching resume with stops at Weber State (1994-95), Mesa CC in Arizona (1988-90; 1993-94), and Illinois State (1992-93; graduate assistant, 1990-92). From Cheyenne,Wyoming,Fisherwas a three– year starter at Cheyenne Central High School, before competing at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington . Her career was cut short by a hip injury, but she earned her associate's degree in 1984. She transferred to Arizona State and gradu– ated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physi– cal Education with an emphasis in Exercise Physi– ology in 1988. After graduation, she served as a physical education instructor at Mesa Community Col– lege from 1988 to 1990, before completing her Master's Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Administration of Sport at Illinois State in 1992.

THE FISHER FILE 1992-93................. Asst. Coach at lllinios State (11-16 record) 1994-95................. Asst. Coach at Weber State

1995-98................. Asst. Coach at Old Dominion (92-8 combined record) 1998-2003............ Head Coach at Wyoming (59-81 combined record) 2003-05 ................. Asst. Coach at Nebraska (36-26 combined record) 2005-present ...... Head Coach at San Diego (30-28 record)

FISHER'S YEAR-BY-YEAR HEAD CAOCHING RECORD Year School

Record 21-9 9-19 18-12 13-15 11-17 10-18 7-19 89-109

Postseason WNIT 0-1

2006-07 San Diego 2005-06 San Diego 2002-03 Wyoming 2001-02 Wyoming 2000-01 Wyoming 1999-00 Wyoming 1998-99 Wyoming SevenYear Totals

WNIT 1-1

1-2

5

ary ann

Assistant Coach Third Season Northern Arizona, 1993

,._ IIUl.ltll&l,I

t he largest team camps (1,800 attendees) in the country, co– ordinating and assisting with the recruiting effort s which at– tracted student-athletes from t he northwest, west, and mid– west regions and having contributed t o the development of seven players who were able to continue their careers play– ing professionally overseas. Prior to working at Wyoming, Falcosky was an assistant at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz. fo r four years. Her 1998-99 recruiting class finished t he season ra nked 5th in the NJCAA Division II poll. A native of Tempe, Ariz., Fa lcosky is a 1993 graduate of Northern Arizona University and holds her masters degree in kinesiology and health from the University of Wyoming.

ary Ann Falcosky begins her third year at USO,and eighth year wit h head coach Cindy Fisher,as an as– sistant coach. Falcosky has a wealth of coaching experience at both the division I and junior co l– lege levels and over 13 years of recru iting experience. With this experience, one of her primary responsibi lities will be to coordinate the recruiting effort of the Toreros, which in includes both national and internationa l recruiting. Fal– cosky also works with the USO marketing department to promote the women's basketball program and assists the strength and conditioning coach to ensure t he physical fit– ness levels of the Toreros is at a championship level. Other responsibilities Falcosky will take on at USO in– clude the scouting of opponents to assist Fisher with game plans. During the game, she will chart the Toreros defen– sive schemes and provide defensive and offensive input to Fisher. She is also in charge of the development of the post players and will assist with the academic success of the student-athletes through the women's basketball aca– demic and mentoring program. During only her second season at USO, she helped guide the Toreros to their biggest turn around in program history, a 12-game improvement from 9-19 in the 2005-06 season to a 21-9 record in 2006-07 season . Under Falcosky's gui– dence, the Toreros placed three players on the AII-WCC lists, including the WCC Co-Player of the Year Amanda Rego. Prior to joining the USO staff, Falcosky completed a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Weber State in Og– den, Utah. Falcosky was essential in helping Weber State compile a 38-18 record between 2002-2005, including a 21-8 finish in the 2004-2005 season. Her main responsibilit ies on the Wildcat staff included the individua l development of both post and guard players, organizing t eam t ravel, assist ing with recruiti ng, organ izing and running the high school jamboree camps, market ing and promoting the program, working with the strengt h and conditioning coach regarding pre, in, and post season strength training and assisting on the court with both of– fense and defense. Prior to joining the Weber State staff, Falcosky spent five years as an assistant coach at the University of Wyo– ming. While at Wyoming, Falcosky was instrumental in implementing an academic program, which resulted in 32 players being recognized academically on an Academic All – Conference Team, and the WBCA recognizing the 2001-02 Wyoming women's team for having the highest GPA in the country among Division I institutions. Other duties include assisting with all aspects of organizing and running one of

GETTING TO KNOW COACH FALCOSKY

Favorite USD Basketball Memory: Summer trip to Australia

Favorite free -time activity: Wakeboarding

Few people know: If I tell you then "few" people will know. I think I can dance to reggae music Favorite place to visit: Goes along with my favorite free– time activity... Canyon Lake, AZ

One word to describe myself: Driven

My most embarrassing moment atUSD: Anytime I have to step in and be a scout player, I am too old for that. Favorite TV show: I usually don't have time to wa tch TV, but I will make time for Project Run– way

6

--

• n1ecee

Assistant Coach Third Season Concordia, 2002

N iecee Nelson is entering her third season as an assistant coach at USD. Nelson's primary respon– sibilities with the Toreros include; point guard de– velopment, assisting with scouting of opponents, recruiting, academic support of the team. Nelson was pro– moted in the offseason an now is in charge of the team's academics, budget and team Equipment. Nelson also oversees team travel and student -athlete affairs. During only her second season, she helped guide the Toreros to their biggest turn around in program history, a 12-game improvement from 9-19 in the 2005-06 season to a 21-9 record in 2006-07 season. Under Nelson's guid– ance, the Toreros placed three players on the AII-WCC lists, including the WCC Co-Player of the Year Amanda Rego. During her first year with the Toreros, Nelson worked closely with the development of the guards, helping to guide Tiara Harris to a first-team AII-WCC selection and Kelly Winther being named to the AII-WCC Freshman team. As the summer camps director, Nelson has seen a dramatic increase in the Toreros team camp enrollment in only her second season in directing the program. In addition to working with the student athletes in hon– ing their skills on the court, Nelson was integral in creating a monthly newsletter to promote the women's basketball program. This newsletter includes updated game statis– tics, conference standings, community service news and thoughts from the seniors on the season. Nelson came to USD after spending one season at Indi– ana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). While at IPFW Nelson's primary responsibilities were team travel, post player development, marketing and academic sup– port. Within two months of arriving at IPFW, Nelson was promoted to recruiting coordinator leading the charge in overseas recruiting into Brazil and Europe. Nelson's mar– keting efforts helped increase attendance at the women's basketball games for the 2004-2005 season. Prior to working at IPFW, she worked as a graduate assis– tant at the University of Wyoming with current USD head coach Cindy Fisher. Nelson worked closely with the staff and team on practice and game day coaching, individual workouts, academic support, film exchange, and guard and post development. She helped the Cowgirls culminate a 18-12 mark in 2002-03. The 18 wins were the school's most victories since 1989-90. She also helped lead the Cowgirls to their first postseason appearance since 1989-90 with a trip to the 2003 WNIT, where Wyoming notched a first– round win over Montana. The WNIT win over Montana marked the first postseason victory in Wyoming women's

basketball history. Nelson was a two-time NAIA All-American at Concordia University in Portland, Ore. She was also named to the Lu- . theran Brotherhood All-American Team, and was a schol– ar-athlete. Nelson was chosen as the Cascade Conference Freshman-of-the-year in her first year at Concordia. Nelson graduated with a bachelor's degree in Elemen– tary Education in 2002 from Concordia, and a master of science degree in kinesiology and health in 2004 from the University of Wyoming. She resides in San Diego with her husband Steve. The Nelson's are expecting their first baby in May of 2008.

GETTING TO KNOW COACH NELSON

Favorite USD Basketball Memory: Beating Georgia Tech on our home floor.

Favorite place to visit: Hawaii

My craziest ambition: I want to fly a jet.

One word to describe myself: Creative

My advice to youngsters: Believe that you can, and you will.

My most embarrassing moment at USD: I dropped a pen on the floor during a crucial defensive possession, and play was stopped because of it.

Favorite TV show: Heras

• 1ara

Assistant Coach First Season San Diego, 2006

T iara Harris in entering her first season as an assistant coach under Cindy Fisher. Harris' primary responsibilities for the To- reros will include; guard development, assisting with scouting of opponents, recruiting, academic support of the team, coordinating community service, and co-director of summer camps basketball program," stated Fisher. "Tiara has all of the qualities necessary to be an outstanding recruiter and coach at the Division I level. Her en– ergy, knowledge of our system and willingness to put in the time to learn and grow as a young coach made it a very easy choice." Harris comes to USO after playing professional basketball for the Breidablik team in Iceland. Not only was Harris playing professional basketball in Iceland, but she was also the head coach of the Breidablik junior team. Harris served as a coach on the Air Force Academy team from January of 2007 until the end of the season in March. Har– ris also helped coach at the USO summer camps since the summer of 2002 as well as coaching at the Air Force summer camp in the summer of 2006. Harris was an All-West Coast Conference per– former for the Toreros women's basketball team taking home first-team AII-WCC honors as asenior in the 2005-06 season, head coach Cindy Fisher's first season at the helpm of the program. Harris became the ninth player in the history of the pro– gram to record 1,000 career points, and finished her career with 1,150 career points to place sixth all-time at USO. Harris is also ranked 10th in ca– reer field goals made (386), third in three-point "Tiara brings a great deal of excitement, per– =i:=i;.--.·,;.••• sonality and enthusiasm to our USO women's

field goals made (137), ninth in three-point field goal percentage (35.5), fifth in free-throws made (241) and fifth in free-throw percentage (79.8). Harris earned her bachelor's degree in Sociol– ogy from USO in 2006 and resides in San Diego.

GETTING TO KNOW COACH HARRIS

Favorite USO Basketball Memory:

My senior night, my last home game.

Favorite place to visit: My parents house in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Few people know: I enjoy reading poetry

My craziest ambition: I would like to go to outer space to see what it feels like without gravity. One word to describe myself: Caring. My advice to youngsters: To make the most ofevery second, because it goes by fast. My most embarrassing moment at USO: I really don't get embarrassed very easily because I am pretty goofy.

Favorite TV show: Girlfriends

8

2007-08 Women's Basketball Roster

Ht. 5-1 0 5-7 5-6 5-10 6-5 5-5 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-1

Yr. SR FR RS-FR so RS-JR

Po. G G G F

Hometown - Previous School San Diego, CA - Mission Bay HS Riverside, CA - Perris HS Littleton, CO - Highlands Ranch HS Pleasanton, CA - Amador Valley HS San Diego, CA - Mission Bay HS Hayward, CA - Oh lone College Vancouver,WA - Hudson's Bay HS Portland, OR - Lake Oswego HS Portland, OR - Colorado State Leawood, KS - Notre Dame de Sion HS Tucson, AZ - Canyon del Oro HS Las Vegas, NV - Bishop Gorman HS Portland, OR - Tualatin HS Simi Valley, CA - Royal HS

No. Player 2

Amanda Rego Brianna Estell

3 5

Hannah Morgenstern*

11 Sara VanderHorst- 21 Amber Sprague* 22 Alcha Strane 24 Sam Child 25 Kelly Winther- 32 Kiva Herman 35 Emi ly Hatch 42 Nya Mason /\ 50 Morgan Henderson

C G F G F F C F C F

SR FR JR JR FR

so so RS-FR JR

6-2 6-1 6-4 6-0

54 Erica Carlson* 55 Kaila Mangrum

Head Coach:

Cindy Fisher (3rd Year - Arizona State, 1988)

Assistant Coaches:

Mary Ann Falcosky (3rd Year - Northern Arizona, 1993) Niecee Nelson (3rd Year - Concordia U., 2002) Tiara Harris (1st Year - San Diego, 2006)

* has utilzed redshirt season

A will not play in the 2007-08 season per NCAA Transfer Rules - will redshirt the 2007-08 season Athletic Trainer: Paul Signorelli HOWDO YOU SAY? ALCHA Strane .....................................al-shuh TIARA Harris........................................TEE-ai r-UH KIVA Herman ......................................KEY-va NYA Mason ..........................................KNEE-uh Amanda REGO ..................................REE-go KAILA MANGRUM ........................... KAY-la MAIN-grum NIECEE Nelson ...................................KNEE-see

BACK ROW: (1-r) Tia ra Harris, Cindy Fisher, Nya Mason, Amber Sprague, Erica Carlson, Emily Hatch MIDDLE ROW: Sara VanderHorst, Amanda Rego, Kiva Herman, Kaila Mangrum, Morgan Henderson, Sam Child FRONT ROW: Alcha Strane, Hannah Morgenstern, Kelly Winther, Brianna Estell

PLAYER FAVORITES

Best Vacation

Orlando Bloom

Best Movie you've seen

Favorite

Do you watch

Favorite TV Show

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?

Favorite

spot?

or

the Disney Channel Magazine

Basketball

Adam Brody

recently

ESPN or Bravo?

Player

Bahamas

Adam Brody

The Holiday

People

ESPN

America's Next

Ice Cream

Dwayne

Erica

Top Model

Carlson

Wade

Caribbean

Adam Brody

Devil Wears

People

Disney Channel

CSI

Ice Cream

Sam

Dwayne

Islands

Prada

(Las Vegas)

Child

Wade

Maui, HI

Orlando

300

VIBE

Disney Channel

106 and

Ice Cream

Brianna

Dwayne

Bloom

Park

Estell

Wade

New Hampshire

Adam Brody

People

Disturbia

Disney Channel

The Hills

Ice Cream

Emily Hatch

Greg Oden

Lake House

Cairns

Orlando

Disturbia

National

ESPN

Anything on Food Network

Ice Cream

Morgan

Shane Battier

Bloom

Australia

Geographic

Henderson

St. Lucia

Orlando Blooom

Game Plan

US Weekly

ESPN

Desperate Housewives

Ice Cream

Kiva

Rip

Herman

Hamilton

Hawaii

Orlando

Super Bad

ESPN

Cosmopolitan

Desperate Housewives

Ice Cream

Kaila

Shaquille

Bloom

O'Neal

Mangrum

Fiji

Life & Style

Adam Brody

Transformers

ESPN

Entourage

Frozen Yogurt

Nya

Ray

Mason

Allen

Maui, HI

Adam

Hope Floats (it was on TV)

People

ESPN

Law and

Frozen Yogurt

Hannah

Paul

Broady

OrderSVU

Morgenstern

Pierce

Neither

Cairns

Lord of War

SLAM

ESPN

The Office

Depends on

Amanda

Steve Nash

Australia

my mood

Re20

Fiji

Neither

WeOwn the Night

US Weekly

Disney Channel

The Hills

Ice Cream

Amber

Lauren Jackson

Sprague

Virgin Islands

Orlando

Disturbia

Cosmopolitan

Disney Channel

Grey's

Alcha Strane

Ice Cream

Dwayne

Bloom

Anatomy

Wade

Prescott, AZ.

Adam Brody

John Tucker

Cosmopolitan

ESPN

Frozen Yogurt America's Next

Sara

Lebron James

Must Die

Top Model

VanderHorst

Cairns

Neither

Super Bad

Cosmopolitan

ESPN

Gossip Girl

Neither

Kelly

Steve Nash

Australia

Winther

MORGAN HENDERSON

ALCHA STRANE

KIVAHERMAN

11

5-10 • Guard enior • San ission Bay Hi

JUNIOR (2006-07): Became

the first player in the history of the program to be named the WCC Co-Player of the Year...was named first-team AII-WCC...led the nation in assists at 7.6 per game...played a huge role in the biggest turn around in program history, a 12-game improvement... helped lead the team to the best record in program history at 21-9...was the only player to play and start in all 30 games...was third on the team in points per game at 9.1, second in rebounding at 6.2 rpg, led the team in steals with 83 to set a new program record for single-season steals...set a new program record for single-season assists with 230 and single-game assists with 14...set the new program record for single-game steals at 10 in a win against Holy Cross (12/28/06) ...posted a team-best eight double-doubles...scored a sea– son-high 19 points against Gonzaga (1 /27/07) ...scored a career-high 14 assists in a win against San Diego State (11 /19/06) ...recorded double-digit assists in 12 games...was named the WCC Player of the Month for December...was named the WCC Player of the Week twice. SOPHOMORE (2005-06): Played in 21 games with three starts ... averaged 7.1 points per game while averag– ing 25.5 minutes per contest ... set a, then new single-season record for steals with 75 ... lead WCC in steals and assists...missed most of February due to illness ... scored a career-high 23 points against Santa Clara (1/14/06), a game in which she went 3-for-4 from the three point line ... registered a career-high 11 assists against Pennsylvania (11/27/05) . . .scored 16 points against Arizona State (11/20/05).

FRESHMAN (2004-05): Immediate impact player as a true freshman ... Started the first six games of the season... Appeared in all 28 games for USD,averaging over 24 minutes of playing time per contest... Scored a season-high 16 points twice, first against Clemson (11 /26, a game in which she made good on 4-of-5 three-point attempts, while also totaling five assists and four rebounds) ... Put up 16 points at Pepperdine (2/5) on 7-of-13 shooting from the field ... Dished out a season-best 10 assists and had 15 points against Portland (2/17) late in the year... Shot 32% (21-of-65) from the three-point line during the season ... Totaled 93 rebounds, averaging over three rebounds (3.3) on the season... Totaled 77 as– sists (2.8 apg) and 161 points (5.8 ppg) . HIGH SCHOOL: Starred at San Diego's Mission Bay High School... Led the Buccaneers to a pair of CIF Division 111 titles... Named a First Team Al I-Cl F performer as a senior, and theWestern League MVP ...Pou red in 17 points per contest during her final prep season, leading the Bucs to a 27-4 record... As a junior in 2003, Rego helped Mission Bay post a 26-5 record and was named a First-Team All-State player... Also as a junior, Rego averaged 18 points per game and over seven assists... Named to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team ... Played with the 'Below the Rim' club program. PERSONAL: Born on July 4, 1986 in San Diego... Daughter of John and Gilda Rego... Was also recruited by New Mexico, Pepperdine and UC Santa Barbara... Chose to attend USO because of the location and the coaching staff... High school teammate of current USO center Amber Sprague.

3pt

Career Statistics

PTS 161 149 274 584

AVG

FT% .593 .589 .632 .617

REB

BLK

AVG

FT-FTA 16-27 33-56 91-144 140-227

STL

FG% .323 .305 .185 .291

A

FG% FG-FGA

YEAR 04-05 05-06 OfH)7 Totals

GPl.GS MIN. FG-FGA

5.8 7.1 9.1 7.4

51 75 83

3.3 3.6 6.2 4.5

21-65 18-59

93 76

1

.371 .371 .384 .377

62-167 49-132 82-232

77 80

28-8 21-3

680 536

0 5 6

230 387

187 356

5-27

3Q-30 79-41

1,062

209

2,285 200-531

44-151

GETTING TO KNOW SENIOR GUARD AMANDA REGO

If you had one million dollars, where would it go? Straight into the bank If you could go on any reality television show, what would it be and why? Making the Band so I could show off my sweet dance moves and vocal ability

What is your biggest pet peeve? Bad drivers

If you had a supernatural power, what would it be and why? I've always wanted to be able to fly What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you thus far here at USD? Having to get subbed out during the last five minutes of a crucial game to run to the bath– room.

13

5-6 • Guard Senior• Ha OhloneCom

JUNIOR (2006-07):

Played a role in the biggest turn around in pro- gram history,a 12-game improvement...helped lead the team to the best record in program history at 21-9... played in 24 games as a reserve guard for the Toreros...scored a career-high eight points in a win against Georgia Tech (11/24/06) . SOPHOMORE: Played at Oh lone College ... named first-team All-Sierra Conference and second-team All– state ... led the state in assists with an average of 7 assists per game ... averaged 17 points per game to rank in the top-10 in the state ... also ranked in the top-10 in California for three-point field goals made, three– point percentage and free throw shooting percentage ... was named her team MVP and was selected to the All -Sierra League Tournament team.

FRESHMAN: Played at Oregon State Un iversity.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four varsity letters playing for Erin Davenport at Castro Valley High School ... named first-team All -Hayward Athletic Leagaue as a sophomore, junior and senior ... helped lead her team to a league championship as a junior and senior .. .team reached the NCS Qualifiers during her junior and senior seasons .. .averaged 17 points per game and six assists per game as a senior ... averaged 15 points per game

as a junior and 11 points per game as a sophomore.

PERSONAL: Alcha Strane was born on February 7, 1986 as the daughter of Cheryl and Albert Strane in Berkeley, Calif.. ..was also recruited by San Jose State and Hawaii .. .chose to attend USO because of the beautiful campus, the coaching staff and family atmosphere of the team . . .her first name Al cha is a combination of her parent first names, Al from Albert and Cha from her mother Cheryl.

3PT

CatHr Statistics

IEAR GPLG5 06-07 2S:Q Totals 25-0

PTS AVG 29 1.0 29 1.0

STL ~LK REB

FG~ EG-1:GA l:i%

FT-FTA 4-4 4-4

A

Mll'!I. FG-EGA

FT% 1,QQQ 1.000

AV~

48 48

2

Q

.333 .333

1,7 1.7

.323 .393

§:18 6-18

lQ 10

]]-28 77-28

]64 164

0

6

GETTING TO KNOW SENIOR GUARD ALCHA STRANE

What do you miss most about home? I miss my large lovely bed.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why? Morgan Henderson, because her hair is aw– some and she never brushes it:) What is your favorite book and why? The Coldest Winter Ever, because it is very realistic.

What is your ultimate goal? To become a physician.

What is your strength? Weakness? My strength is my inner drive, and my weak– ness is Mexican food. What is your motivation? My motivation is striving for excellence at all times.

I

6-5 • Center Junior• Sa Mission Bay

SOPHOMORE (2006-07): Played a huge role in the biggest turn around in program history, a 12-game improvement...helped lead the team to the best record in program history at 21-9...was named first-team AII-WCC...led the team in scoring at 14.8 ppg and led the WCC in rebounds at 8.0 rpg...led the team in blocked shots at 58, which placed her fifth all-time in single-season blocks at USD...was named WCC Player of the Month for November...took home two WCC Player of the Week Awards... recorded seven double-doubles...recorded a career-high 15 rebounds in a win against Cal State Fullerton (12/16006) ...scored a season-high 27 points in a win against Pacific (l 2/l /06) ... scored 20 or more points in eight games...was named to the Surf 'n Slam All-Tournament team...scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in a win against San Francisco (1 /7/07) ...scored 17 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in a win against San Francisco (2/7/07).

SOPHOMORE (2005-06): Redshirted at San Diego.

FRESHMAN (2004-05): Set USD's freshman scoring record by averaging a team-leading 14.5 points per game... Honored as an All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention player despite starting in just six league games due to injury... Led the WCC in blocked shots (1.4 pg) ... Her 14.5 points per game average ranks 9th highest all-time for anyTorero in a single-season and was 4th best among all WCC players in 2004-05...Scored 15 points in her first collegiate game at Arizona State (11 /20) ... Pulled down seven rebounds and blocked two shots three nights later against San Diego State (11 /23) ... Went on to reach double-figures in scoring in

11 of USD's 13 non-conference games, scoring 27 points at UC Riverside (12/3), 20 against Utah State (12/1 O) and a season-high 33 at UC Irvine (1 /2) ... Led the Toreros in scoring in seven of USD's first nine games- blocking at least one shot in all nine games...Totaled a season-high 13 rebounds en route to a double-double (13 rebounds-17 points) performance against Vermont (12/28) at San Diego's Surf 'N Slam Holiday Classic... Blocked a season-high four shots three different times... Started 17 times, with injury forcing her to come off the bench six times and to miss five games completely. HIGH SCHOOL: Honored as the CIF Division Ill Athlete of the Year as a senior at local Mission Bay High School... Completed an outstanding prep career in the spring of 2004 by averaging 20 points per game and leading the Buccaneers to a Division Ill CIF Championship... Three-time AII-CIF First Team selection ... Helped Mission Bay compile a 53-9 overall record during her final two prep seasons... Was twice named an All-America Honorable Mention by Street & Smith ... Nike All-America selection as a junior in 2003... Invited to compete at the USA Youth Development Festival... Earned four All-Western League First Team honors... Excellent student at Mission Bay; named to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team. PERSONAL: Born on October 10, 1986 in Hershey, Pennsylvania... Daughter of John and Catherine Sprague of San Diego...Was heavily recruited out of high school by Penn State, Kansas State,Vanderbilt, Oregon State and Arizona State,among others...High School teammate of current USO guard Amanda Rego... Chose to attend USO to play college basketball in front of her family and friends, while also being an impact player for a team on the rise.

3PT

Career Statistics

AVG 14.5

PTS 334

AVG

BLK REB

STL

FT%

A

FG% FG-FGA FG% FT-FTA

MIN, FG-FGA

YEAR GPLGS 04-05 23-17

5.0

115

32

31

17

68-97

.701

0-0

.000

.477

133-279

532

05-06

Redshirted at USD

14.6 14.5

422 756

7.9 6.6

229 344

61 93

51

53 84

.775 .880

86-111

,QOO

0-Q 0-6

0§:0Z 29-29 Totals 52-46

.447 .460

846

168-372

68

.000 183-208

1,378 301-655

GETTING TO KNOW JUNIOR CENTER AMBER SPRAGUE

What is your motivation? My family

If you could go on any reality television show, what would it be and why? The Life of Ryan because he is precious What is one talent you don't have that you wish you had? The ability to learn a foreign language

What do you miss most about home? Seeing my family everyday

What has been your biggest adjustment to college life? Time Management

How are you handling your independence? Very well! I am very independent

17