I am really interested to see what Petersen can do with 9 newcomers and only 4 returning players (7 of the 13 are international players with 3 of those from Australia). The team is picked to finish 12th in the conference, which sounds about right to me as the team is so new, no one really knows how good or bad they will be.
Petersen didn’t say much in the interview and in fact was his usual upbeat self, glossing over how he is going to get this team to get quick chemistry.
Chyra Evans was the interview and success for her this season was if everybody on the team has bought in and worked toward the same goal. She also said that she wants to be less pass-first this year than last. She said she will always have a pass-first mentality as that is how she is, but she will look for her shot more aggressively.
The team lost 5 players from last years team, 4 of whom transferred to other Big12 schools (which sucks) (Grace Foster ended up at Boise State), all of whom are picked to be at the top of the conference this year.
Coming in we have:
- Sophomore Lena Girardi a 5’11" guard (daughter of former MLB player Joe Girardi) from Okie State;
- Junior Olivia Bradley a 6’1" forward, (one of the aforementioned Aussies) from UCSB;
- Filipa Barros a 5’9" Portuguese senior from Cal Baptist;
- Laia Conessa a 5’11" senior guard from Kansas; and
- Elise Livingston a 5’9" guard from Utah State.
New freshman are:
- Peyton Jones, 6’0" guard from Highlands Ranch Colorado;
- Milika Satuala, 5’10" guard from Bountiful;
- Emma Petrie, 6’2" forward from Queensland Australia; and
- Rylee Little, 6’5" center from Kanab (supposedly a big recruiting win).
Returning are:
- Evelina Otto, 6’2" sophomore who I thought showed some promise as a face up big near the basket;
- Chyra Evans, 6’3" senior who I hope new aggressiveness will help;
- Kamryn Mafua, 6’1" sophomore, who showed some flashes last year but who I hope will be a big scorer; and
- Ella Todd, 6’0" freshman who was injured last year and is the last player left from last year’s lauded incoming class and hopefully is healthy and can show some great game.
Like with the Men’s team, I want to keep my expectations low and be surprised if/when this team surprises.