USD Women's Basketball 1995-1996

1995-96 SEASON PREVIEW

The 1995-96 University of San Diego women's basketball team will focus on its athleticism, speed and commitment as Kathy Marpe enters her sixteenth season as head coach of the Toreros. "We want to keep the tempo quick and take control of the game in order to force the other team to play our style. We want to use the entire court and run alot," says Marpe. It is in the Toreros game plan to run up and down the floor, using its speed to outhustle the opposition. Without a dominant center and several players that can switch between the guard and the forward positions, the Toreros will give opposing teams several lineups to look at. The team will return only four upperclassmen for the '95-96 campaign. Two key returnees are seniors Michele Brovelli (San Rafael, CA) and Laura King (San Rafael, CA) who will be the leaders of this young and inexperienced team. Both were named to the WCC All-Conference Honorable Mention team last season. Brovelli, a 5-10 forward, was last year's team leader in scoring (10.5) and rebounds (7.7). She returns as captain and her leadership and commitment will be a great benefit to the younger players. King, a 5-7 guard, is the key to the Torero defense. Her great determination has earned her the teams' Hustle Award the past two years. She is very explosive and is a threat from both inside and outside. The team will also look for leadership from juniors Heidi Ambrose (Bellingham, WA) and Malia Andagan (Kihei, HI). Ambrose, who saw action in 25 games last year, makes her presence felt as soon as she steps on the floor. Marpe expects Andagan, who is now focused completely on basketball, to take it to the next step and reach the full potential of her game.

Senior Michele Brovelli led USD in scoring and rebounding in '94-95.

All of last year's freshmen return for their second season including WCC All– Freshman team member Nailah Thompson (San Francisco, CA). Thompson is very athletic and has a great sense of the game. She was instant offense last season, finding a way to score every time she entered the game. At the point guard position, Kari Ambrose (Bellingham, WA) will try to fill the void left by Serena Eiermann's graduation. Michol Murray (Anaheim, CA), who will return at the guard position, is quicker than lightning and very explosive. At the center posi– tion, sophomore Justine Tuhakaraina (Tauranga, New Zealand) will be a threat if she can recover from a stress fracture on her foot. She possesses good mobility and has a great shooting touch. Pat Sencion (Los Angeles, CA) will see her first action after coming off ACL surgery. A squad that lists 10 underclassmen on its roster hasn't escaped Marpe's mind, who sees the youth factor as an advantage. "These freshmen and sophomores are quick learners, they are open to new ideas and you need to say something only once and they will respond to it." Maggie Dixon (North Hollywood, CA) leads the newcomers and is expected to get minutes right away. Dixon can play both the guard and forward positions. Katie McGlennen (Hopkins, MN) is a good athlete and pure shooter. Junior trans– fer Sheila Peyrebrune (Mission Viejo, CA) and freshman Tammy Schroeder (Ev– ergreen, CO) are both role players that have a good work ethic. Delia Toothman (Chula Vista, CA) has good size and will add depth to the team. The key recruit that will not be in uniform this season is Susan Erpelding (San Diego, CA) who blew out her ACL in last year's CIF Championship game. Erpelding, the '95 California Scholar Athlete of the Year, will rehabilitate in preparation for '96.

Nailah Thompson was a member of the wee

All-Freshman team last season.

The Toreros have many tough opponents on their '95-96 schedule. After an exhibition game versus the Mexican National Team, the Toreros will open their regular season on the road at UCLA on November 24. USD will take on UC Irvine the next day in their home opener. Also on the Toreros non-conference schedule are road trips to Arizona, Vermont and Santa Barbara. The team begins West Coast Conference action on January 12 at Pepperdine.

'Jffiv8f8fty of San Diego Arcntvfl