University of Washington

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1 Game 15 Washington Huskies (10-4, 3-1) vs. No. 18 Oregon Ducks (10-3, 3-0) 7 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 18 Game 16 vs. Oregon State Beavers (9-4, 1-2) 2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 20 Fox Sports NW (delayed)* *game will air Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. Bank of America Arena (10,000) Seattle, Wash. The Coaches Washington June Daugherty (Ohio St. 78) Record at UW: (5th yr.) Career record: (12th yr.) Oregon Jody Runge (Kentucky 83) At UO/career: (8th yr.) Oregon State Judy Spoelstra (Oregon St. 83) Record at OSU: (6th yr.) Career: (12th yr.) Series Notes Oregon leads the series with UW, 29-27, and has won the last nine games... UW leads the series with OSU, 34-21, but OSU has won the last two meetings. Huskies on Radio All UW games air live on KKOL 1300 AM radio. Steve Sandmeyer calls the action. Games can also be heard live on the internet at: sports/ncaa/washington Game Promotions Jan Get Rid of Green Night Free admission with a donated item of green clothing. Also - Husky Poster Night. Jan Camp Reunion Day Free admission for kids wearing a Husky Hoops Camp t-shirt TM June Daugherty Radio Show KOMO am 1000 Mondays, 6:30-7 p.m. University of Washington 2001 Women s Basketball Contact: Susan Reid, UW Media Relations (206) sreid@u.washington.edu Jan. 15, 2001 Huskies Host Northwest Rivals Oregon, Oregon State UW Women Aim to Snap Nine-Game Streak by Ducks This Week: The Washington women s basketball team (10-4, 3-1), returns home for a pair of games against Northwest rivals Oregon and Oregon State. First up is No. 18 Oregon (10-3, 3-0) at 7 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 18 followed by Oregon State at 2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 20. The OSU game will be televised by Fox Sports Northwest on a delayed basis, set to air at 2 p.m. Jan. 21. Both games can be heard live on radio at KKOL 1300 a.m. The Huskies are coming off a split on their first Pac-10 road trip, logging Washington s first victory in the state of Arizona since 1997, but then snapping a three-game win streak with a loss to No. 22 Arizona. The Huskies once again got productive minutes from their bench, this time with freshman center Andrea Lalum leading the way. She was 4of-5 from the field for eight points and five rebounds at ASU and followed with her first career double-double, with a team-high 13 points and 10 rebounds at Arizona. Three Huskies continue to average double figure scoring, led by senior Megan Franza at 13.4 points per game, and followed by Giuliana Mendiola (12.1 ppg) and sophomore Kellie O Neill (10.1). Loree Payne (9.4) is steadily increasing her scoring output as she returns to form after missing the first six games, and Lalum and LeAnn Sheets are right behind at 7.3 and 6.1 points, respectively. Washington (72.1), Oregon (70.2) and Oregon State (69.1) rank third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in scoring offense in the Pac-10. Washington leads the league in rebounding (45.5) while Oregon is tops in field goal percentage (.487). OSU is holding opponents to 59.1 points per game, second in the Pac-10. Washington will face an Oregon team that jumped to No. 18 in the latest AP poll on the strength of six consecutive victories, including its most recent, over Stanford last week. The Ducks are led by senior Angelina Wolvert, who at 13.5 points per game, is No. 8 in Pac-10 scoring, just ahead of Husky senior Megan Franza at Senior center Jenny Mowe is second in the league in field goal percentage, hitting.587 percent of her shots. Oregon State is coming off a split against the Bay Area schools, knocking off Stanford and then falling to California. This weekend marks just the second road trip of the year for the Beavers, who are 3-1 away from home. They are led by Felicia Ragland, the second-leading scorer in the Pac-10 at 18.1 points per game. She also leads the league in steals, with 3.31 per game. Probable Washington Starters Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown Pts., Rbs Kellie O Neill F 6-1 So. Lynnwood, Wash ppg, 5.8 rpg 42 - LeAnn Sheets C 6-2 Sr. Olympia, Wash. 6.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg 22 - Loree Payne G 6-0 So. Havre, Mont. 9.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg 14 - Megan Franza G 5-11 Sr. Leavenworth, Wash ppg, 3.5 rpg 13 - Giuliana Mendiola G 5-11 Fr. Lake Forest, Calif ppg, 7.3 rpg Next Pac-10 Media Teleconference Set for Jan. 16 The Pac-10 basketball coaches teleconference continues with the second call set for Jan. 9. All 10 league coaches will be available on the line for a five minute period, during which media may call in and ask questions. The women s portion of the teleconference begins with opening remarks at 9:30 a.m. Husky coach June Daugherty will be on the line from 9:45-9:50 a.m. The MEDIA-ONLY phone number to call is A taped replay of the call will be available at 4 p.m. that day, and can be heard by calling Please do not release these telephone numbers to non-media members. UW-UO Series Note: As with last weekend in Arizona, the Husky senior class has a little extra motivation this week. During their tenure as Huskies, the six-player class has collected wins over every Pac-10 opponent except Oregon. The Ducks carry a current nine-game win streak entering the Thursday night contest. The last time Washington defeated Oregon was an game Jan. 13, 1996 in Seattle. The victory at ASU last week was the first win for the Huskies in the state of Arizona since 1997.

2 Husky Women s Basketball, page Schedule 10-4 overall, 3-1 Pac-10 N 6 Latvia (x) W, N 12 Bay Area (x) W, N 17 at Indiana L, ot N 19 at Michigan W, N 24 Connecticut L, N 27 at Boise St. W, D 3 at Oklahoma St. W, D 6 Nebraska W, D 17 St. Mary s W, D 21 Loyola Marymount W, D 22 James Madison W, D 29 Colorado State L, J 4 UCLA W, J 7 USC W (3ot), J 11 at Arizona State W, J13 at Arizona L, J 18 Oregon 7 p.m. J 20 Oregon State 2 p.m. J 25 at Stanford 7:30 p.m. J 27 at California 7:30 p.m. F 3 at WSU (Fox Net) 1 p.m. F 8 Arizona 7 p.m. F 10 Arizona State 2 p.m. F 15 at Oregon State 7 p.m. F 17 at Oregon (Fox Net) 1 p.m. F 22 California 7 p.m. F 24 Stanford 1 p.m. M 3 Washington State 1 p.m. M 8 at USC 7 p.m. M 10 at UCLA 1 p.m. Pac-10 Standings (1/15/00) Conf. All Arizona Oregon Washington Arizona State Washington St Oregon State UCLA Stanford California USC Dawgbite: Megan Franza played in her 100th game as a Husky at ASU last Thursday... if she starts the game against Oregon, as expected, it will be her 100th time in the starting lineup, dating back to her freshman year. Happy Birthday! Sarah Keeler - Jan. 28 (19) Keeler to Redshirt: Freshman forward Sarah Keeler (Pendleton, Ore.) will redshirt this season and begin her first year of play in Keeler, a USA Today honorable mention selection as a junior in high school, suffered a torn ACL during her senior year at Pendleton High. Keeler had surgery Nov. 10 to repair a minor meniscus tear in her left knee. She slightly re-injured the knee during practice recently. Keeler is continuing rehabilitation and is practicing with the team. We felt it was best for Sarah to be completely healthy, said UW coach June Daugherty. She is going to be an outstanding player for us, and by redshirting this year, she will be able to play a complete and healthy season next year. UW Against Ranked Teams: Washington s game against No. 18 Oregon will mark its third against a ranked opponent this season. The Huskies are 0-2 against opponents ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. The first loss came at the hands of No. 1 Connecticut back on Nov. 24. The second was last weekend, an setback to No. 22 Arizona. Though it will only be the third ranked team the Huskies have faced this season, their schedule has not light. In the Jan. 15 RPI rankings, Washington s schedule is listed as No. 14 in the country, in strength of schedule. It was No. 16 last week and No. 2 two weeks ago. Huskies in Overtime: The triple overtime game against USC Jan. 7 was Washington s second extra period contest this season. The Huskies opened the year with a loss at the buzzer in one overtime period at Indiana. The triple overtime game against USC was the first in UW school history. Washington s all-time record in overtime is 8-9 since Looking Back: After 14 games last season, Washington had a record of this year, the Huskies are 10-4, and have won nine of their last 11 games... they were 1-3 after the first four Pac-10 games last year... this year they are 3-1 and third in the Pac-10 standings after the opening two weeks. Dawgbite: Washington s 10-4 start on the year is its best since the season when the Huskies jumped out to a 10-0 mark and a No. 7 national ranking to open the year. That team finished and advanced to first round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory over UCLA Jan. 4 gave UW a mark of 8-3, to equal Washington s win total from last season. Senior Strength: Husky coach June Daugherty continually points to the six-player senior class as a major reason for UW s hot start this year, crediting the group with strong leadership in practice and during games. Senior captains Megan Franza and Jill Pimley headline the group. Franza has been a constant in the starting lineup since her freshman year and is a leader on the court. Pimley is in her second season as a team captain and is a vocal leader whether she is playing or on the bench. LeAnn Sheets, who has struggled with injuries throughout her career, is healthy and gives the Huskies a veteran presence in the post. Melissa Erickson also offers experience off the bench, giving the Huskies added height inside. Sarah Duncan was named Most Inspirational last season and continues to fill that role this year. Carli Halpenny rounds out the group. A redshirt junior, she has opted to graduate this year in order to spend the spring quarter studying in Italy. The move puts her back in the class she entered with in 1997 and strengths the leadership the six-player group provides. Washington had no seniors on its roster last season when it posted an 8-22 record. Healthy Huskies: While crediting the senior class with leading the Huskies, coach Daugherty also points to a healthy lineup as cause for celebration. Washington s frontline was beset by injuries last season, causing Daugherty to constantly shuffle her lineup. No less than five different players were on the bench with injuries at one point or another last year. LeAnn Sheets missed the first eight games of the season after foot surgery. Cheryl Sorenson ended up redshirting after a torn ACL in preseason. Melissa Erickson was hampered by a sore shoulder during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Carli Halpenny was limited by a stress reaction in her hip and was initially declared out for the season and Kellie O Neill had a premature end to her freshman year after suffering a severe ankle sprain midway through the season. Sheets suffered a sprained ankle at Boise State this year, causing her to miss the next two games, but she has returned to full strength. In addition, Loree Payne returned after missing the first six games with a stress fracture in her foot. She posted a season-best 21 points against USC. The healthy lineup has given the Huskies increased depth this season, a factor that was particularly evident in the triple overtime win against USC Jan. 7. The Trojans had four key players foul out while the Huskies were able to constantly rotate fresh players in the game.

3 Husky Women s Basketball, page 3 Early Signees Three of the top girls basketball players in the state have signed national letters of intent to attend the University of Washington next fall: Kirsten Brockman 6-0 Forward Snohomish, Wash. (Snohomish HS) Kayla Burt 5-11 Guard Arlington, Wash. (Arlington HS) Kristen O Neill Guard 6-1 Lynnwood, Wash. (Meadowdale HS) Husky Media Relations Jim Daves, Assistant AD Susan Reid, Women s Basketball SID sreid@u.washington.edu Main Office Phone: Fax: Ticket Office: Internet: WBB Radio: KKOL 1300 am Steve Sandmeyer on radio Bank of America Arena (10,000) Built in 1927, renovated March Nov Internet: Weekly June Daugherty radio show: Mondays, 6:30-7 p.m. Husky Quick Facts Washington Huskies Head coach: June Daugherty (Ohio State 78) at UW: (fifth season) career: (12th season) Assistant coaches: Sunny Smallwood (Boise State 83, eighth year at UW, fifth year with coach Daugherty), Mike Daugherty (Ohio State 77, fifth year) Shimmy Gray (Michigan 94, first year) record: 8-22 Pac-10 record: 4-14 / 9th Letterwinners returning /lost: 10/2 Starters returning / lost: 4/1 Redshirts returning: 1 (Cheryl Sorenson) Newcomers: 4 Road Warriors: Last week when the Huskies visited ASU and Arizona, it marked their first road games since Dec. 3. They split the series, winning at ASU and losing at UA, to give them a makr of 4-2 away from home. The three non-conference road wins came at Michigan, Boise State and Oklahoma State. The only loss was a setback in overtime at the buzzer to an Indiana squad that now boasts a record of Dawgbite: When Washington defeated UCLA Jan. 4, it gave fifth-year Husky coach June Daugherty career victory number 190. She enters the UO/OSU series with a 12-year mark of she has a mark of in her fifth year at Washington... her win total is third among seven Husky coaches over the years. Pizza Time!: Washington s defensive efforts have been stellar so far this season and it s not just the Huskies who are reaping the benefits. When Washington wins at home and holds its opponent under 55 points, every fan in Bank of America Arena can redeem their ticket stub for a free small pizza at Papa John s Pizza. It s become a rally cry for the home crowd and so far, the fans have cashed in twice, against UCLA (54) Thursday night and against Loyola Marymount (52) on Dec. 21. They just missed against James Madison when the Dukes tallied 56 points. Overall, the Huskies are holding opponents to 66.6 points per game this season. Mendiola Magic: Freshman guard Giuliana Mendiola is off to a great start in her first season as a Husky. The Seattle Times Classic MVP, she leads the team in rebounding with an average of 7.3 boards per game, a mark that is fourth-best in the Pac-10. She is UW s second-leading scorer with 12.1 per game and has a Pac-10 leading four double-doubles to her credit, against Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Colorado State and USC. Mendiola, who plays the one, two and three guard spots, has started 12-of-14 games and is averaging 30 minutes per contest. The younger sister of teammate Gioconda, Mendiola takes care of the ball well, with only one turnover in her first college game, at Indiana, none at Boise State and none against Loyola Marymount. She dished out eight assists versus UCLA. In the triple overtime win over USC, Mendiola had 12 points, 10 rebound, six assists and only two turnovers in 41 minutes of action. Mendiola, who scored 3,069 points during her prep career, is in the top 10 in six different Pac-10 statistical categories in her first year as a Husky. Here is a look at where she ranks on each Pac-10 list: rank category statistics No. 2 defensive rebounds 4.86 No. 4 rebounding 7.3 rpg No. 5 assists 3.93 apg No. 6 3 pt. FG % /.407 No. 6 assist/turnover ratio 1.34 No. 8 3 pt. FG made 22 (1.57 pg) No. 13 scoring 12.1 ppg More Magic: Freshman guard Gioconda Mendiola established a new career high with a team-leading 10 points against UCLA Jan. 4. Mendiola had only scored in two of the nine games in which she had played this season. Her previous high was five points against James Madison. Payne Returns to Action: Sophomore guard Loree Payne returned to the starting lineup against UCLA and USC. UW s leading scorer as a freshman last season (17.4 ppg), Payne missed the first six games after being sidelined by a stress fracture in her left foot. The sophomore guard, who was on the goldmedal winning USA Basketball Jones Cup team this summer, tallied a game-high 21 points in the win over USC. It was the 10th time in her career she has topped the 20-point plateau. Payne played for the first time this season against Loyola Marymount, Dec. 21 and played 10 minutes going 3-of-5 from the field, including a three pointer and a free throw, for eight points. Against James Madison, Payne played seven minutes and scored three points with one assist and one steal. Her playing time increased to 21 minutes against CSU when she scored nine points. She had five points in 17 minutes against UCLA. Facts and Figures: Washington is 9-0 when it leads at halftime and 8-3 when it outrebounds opponents different Huskies have scored in double figures so far this year.

4 Husky Women s Basketball, page 4 Preseason Polls Pac-10 Coaches 1. Stanford (9) Oregon (1) USC Arizona Arizona State 57 6t. UCLA 49 Washington Oregon State California Washington State 18 Pac-10 Media 1. Stanford (16) Oregon (3) USC Arizona UCLA Arizona State Washington California Oregon State Washington State 24 Dawg Bites UW will be led by tri-captains this season. They are senior guard Megan Franza, senior point guard Jill Pimley and sophomore guard/forward Loree Payne. Pimley was a captain for the season The six-player senior class has a combined 165 game-day starts between them. Huskies in the Polls AP USA Today Dec. 25 votes Jan. 8 votes Jan. 15 votes The Series with Oregon Overall: Oregon leads, Current streak: Oregon has won nine Last six games: Oregon, 6-0 Last year: Oregon swept; in Eugene and in Seattle Longest UW streak in series: 11 games Longest UO streak: 9 games Last UW win: Jan. 13, 1996 (82-66 in Seattle) June Daugherty career vs. Oregon: 1-9 Last Meeting: (Feb. 20, 2000 in Seattle) Oregon 70, at UW 69 - Angelina Wolvert s short banker with 11.3 seconds remaining capped a 9-0 Oregon scoring run in the final three minutes, lifting the Oregon Ducks to a victory over Washington. Oregon s defense did not allow the Huskies to get off a good shot during their final possession. Julia Gray heaved a desperation 35-footer that missed as time expired. Shaquala Williams scored 20 points and Wolvert added 13 for Oregon. Loree Payne scored 24 points and Emily Autrey had 11 for Washington. There were four lead changes and four ties in the second half before Washington used a late run to take an eight-point lead. LeAnn Sheets putback banker with 3:52 remaining in the game capped the Husky run and put Washington up But those were the final points scored by Washington. Nicole Strange scored four points and Jamie Craighead added three to start the Ducks decisive game-ending streak. Both teams were without their leading scorers for much of the game s final minutes. Williams fouled out with 6:50 remaining and Washington s Megan Franza left the game at 3:19 remaining with a bloody nose caused by an elbow from Craighead. Franza did not return until the game s final minute. Sloppy ballhandling and passing plagued Oregon in the first half. The Ducks had 17 turnovers by halftime, and had a season-worst 26 overall. The largest lead of the first half for either team came when Payne s 3-pointer 14:39 into the game put Washington up The Huskies led at haltime. The Series with Oregon State Overall: UW leads, Current streak: OSU has won two games Last six games: UW leads, 4-2 Last year: OSU swept; in Corvallis and in Seattle Longest UW streak in series: 15 games Longest OSU streak: 10 games Last UW win: Feb. 11, 1999 (73-64 in Seattle) June Daugherty vs. Oregon State: 8-4 Last Meeting: (Feb. 17, 2000 in Seattle) OSU 57, at UW 50 - Sissel Pierce scored 16 points to lead the Oregon State to a victory over Washington. Pierce made 7-of-13 from the field before fouling out with 5:03 remaining in the game. The Beavers lead the conference in scoring defense, allowing 60.3 points per game, and they did a good job of shutting down the Huskies top scorer. Megan Franza, the conference leader with a 19-point average, did not score in the first half and finished with four. Franza made only 1-of-14 from the field, but she was not the only Husky to struggle. Washington shot 25 percent from the field, and its 50 points is its lowest offensive output since losing an contest to Louisiana Tech on Dec. 2, Reda Petraitis scored 12 points for the Beavers, while Felicia Ragland added 11. Washington was led by LeAnn Sheets, who scored 11 of her career-high 17 points in the second half. Loree Payne added 11. The Beavers led at halftime. Statistical Comparison UW UO OSU Overall record AP ranking votes 18 votes Points per game Field goal percentage Pt. FG percentage Rebounding average Injury Update: Loree Payne missed the first six game with a stress fracture in her left foot but has returned. She saw her first game action Dec. 21 against LMU, playing 10 minutes. Cheryl Sorenson has been nursing tendinitis in her knee and is playing sparingly. LeAnn Sheets suffered a left ankle sprain at Boise State and missed the Nebraska and Oklahoma State games. She returned to action against St. Mary s and is back the starting lineup. Sarah Keeler, who had a minor meniscus tear in December, will redshirt this season.

5 Husky Women s Basketball, page 5 Huskies Honor UW Football Player: The women s basketball team is wearing a patch with the initials CW on its jerseys this season, to support senior football player Curtis Williams, who suffered a spinal cord injury during the Oct. 28 football game at Stanford. Williams, who attended the Rose Bowl, is currently in a rehabilitation center in San Jose, Calif. Megan on the Move: Senior guard Megan Franza continues to move up the Washington s career Top 10 scoring chart, now standing at No. 9 with 1,284 points. Her 18 points against USC Jan. 7 bumped her ahead of Laurie Merlino, who had 1,262 points from Franza moved onto the list against James Madison, Dec. 22, moving past Amy Mickelson, who had 1,224 points from Franza, the Huskies leading scorer this year at 13.4 per game, is 46 points away from tying former teammate Amber Hall, who scored 1,330 points from A first team All-Pac-10 selection last year, Franza has a career scoring average of 12.8 points per game. She became the 16 th Husky to top the 1,000-point barrier and only the eighth player to pass the mark as a junior last year. Dating back to last season, Franza has scored in double figures in 36 of the last 41 games. She has been in the starting lineup for 96 of UW s last 98 games. More Megan: Franza entered the year at No. 2 on UW s career three point field goals made list, with 139. She has added 19 more in 14 games this season for a total of 160, including a high of five at Indiana. Franza is chasing former standout Jamie Redd ( ), who tops the list with 192 treys. She is also No. 2 on the three point attempts list with 582, again chasing Redd who attempted 675 long range bombs during her career. Franza equaled her career-high for attempts, with 13 against Nebraska Dec. 6. Last year at 17.2 ppg, Franza led the Pac-10 in scoring until the final two weeks of the season, while Loree Payne finished fourth with 17.4 points per game. Together they formed the highest scoring duo from the same school in Pac-10 history. With the graduation of Maylana Martin (UCLA) and the redshirt season for Oregon s injured Shaquala Williams, Payne and Franza entered the season as the leading returning scorers in the Pac-10. So Far, So Good: Washington wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a mark of 7-3, its best non-league record since when it was 9-0. Included in that record is a 3-1 mark on the road. The only three non-conference losses of the season came in overtime at the buzzer at Indiana, at the hands of No. 1 Connecticut and a two-point loss to a 10-1 Colorado State team. The third straight road win, at Oklahoma State Dec. 3, equalled UW s mark from all of last season. The wins have been impressive, beginning with a thumping of a Michigan team that had knocked off Louisiana Tech two nights earlier. The Huskies rebounded from the UConn loss by cruising past Boise State, 87-67, and followed with the win at OSU and its first home victory in the new arena, against Nebraska. The Huskies currently have a home mark of 6-2. Helping the cause this year has been increased scoring from the bench and a versatile rotation that is nearly three deep at every position. Last Week at No. 22 Arizona 88, UW 72: Lakeisha Taylor scored 23 points and Reshea Bristol had a school-record 16 assists, leading No. 22 Arizona over Washington Saturday. The Wildcats (14-2, 4-0 Pac-10) won their seventh in a row. They matched their best record through 16 games. Using a trapping defense, Arizona took a 12-5 lead and then used a 12-2 run over the final three minutes of the first half for a lead. Washington (10-4, 3-1) rallied behind six 3-pointers in the second half - two by Loree Payne - to cut the margin to with 4:48 left. But the Wildcats went on a 13-4 run in the next three minutes to end the Huskies' threat. Elizabeth Pickney finished with 17 points for Arizona while Aimee Grzyb and Veranda James had 13 each. Payne and Andrea Lalum paced Washington with 13 points apiece. UW 66, at ASU 62: Giuliana Mendiola scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds, including 10 points in the second half, to lead the Huskies to a victory over Arizona State Thursday night in Tempe. For the Huskies, the victory snapped a three-game losing streak in Tempe and was the first win in the state of Arizona since The two teams battled to a tie at the half with the Sun Devils outshooting the Huskies by a slim 34.5 to 32.1 percent margin and outrebounding UW In the second half, however, the Huskies slowly built a lead, taking a edge with to play when Mendiola completed a layup with 9:27 to play. Washington took a lead with layup by Jill Pimley with 4:33 to play, holding ASU to just one field goal in over 10 minutes. The Sun Devils charged back into the game, however, with a 17-3 run that began when senior guard Natalie Tucker hit a three-pointer with 4:16 left to play. Cian Carvalho made a layup to put the Sun Devils within three points, 62-59, with 41 seconds to play. ASU would get within three points two more times over the final seconds of the game, but Washington knocked down 4-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Megan Franza and Pimley each reached double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Huskies Among National Leaders in RPI Rankings Washington s impressive stand in the RPI rankings continues. In the Jan. 15 Collegiate Basketball News Women s RPI Ratings, UW stands at No. 14 in the nation and its schedule is listed as the 16th-toughest. Last week, they were No. 16 and listed as having the 14th-toughest schedule. Washington has posted a record of 10-4 in the early season, including a six-game win streak that was snapped by a now 12-2 Colorado State team. The wins have been impressive. UW s victory over Michigan came against a Wolverine team that had knocked off then-eighth-ranked Louisiana Tech, a 2000 Final Four participant. Washington s seasonopening loss at Indiana, at the buzzer in overtime, came against a Hoosier team that has gone on to post a record of UW s other loss came at the hands of top-ranked and defending national champion Connecticut. The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) is used by the NCAA women s basketball committee to supplement the selection of at-large teams and the seeding of all teams for the NCAA basketball tournament. It is derived from three component factors: Div. 1 winning percentage (25%), schedule strength (50%) and opponent s schedule strength (25%).

6 Husky Women s Basketball, page 6 On the Rebound: Washington s rebounding efforts have improved tremendously from last season. After a cumulative -4.3 rebounding margin in 2000, the Huskies lead the Pac-10 with a margin of The Huskies have outrebounded all but three of their opponents this season (UConn, St. Mary s, ASU). The team is averaging 45.4 rpg, first in the Pac-10, after 14 games. Freshman Giuliana Mendiola is currently the leading rebounder at 7.3 boards per game. LeAnn Sheets, who missed two games with an ankle injury, is at 6.1 rpg, after returning to the lineup against St. Mary s and Kellie O Neill is at 5.8 rpg. Look at Lalum: Freshman Andrea Lalum (Bozeman, Mont.) blocked four shots in the game against St. Mary s Dec. 17. That mark is the highest by a Husky player since Amber Hall swatted four away at Texas on Dec. 2, Hall, then a junior, went on to finish her career as Washington s career-leading rebounder (1,003 rebounds, ). Catching up with Kellie: Sophomore Kellie O'Neill had a stellar performance in her first home game this season, against No. 1 Connecticut. A 6-1 guard-forward who started only nine games and averaged 6.4 points before suffering an ankle injury last season, poured in a game-high 27 points against Connecticut in Washington s home-opener Nov. 24. O'Neill, who topped her previous career-best 16-point from December 1999, went 12-for-18 from the field, including a 2-for-3 effort from 3-point range. Even more impressive was who it came against. O'Neill put in the highest individual scoring effort against UConn to that point in the season. Only three players - including 2000 WNBA Rookie of the Year Betty Lennox - were able to score at least 25 points against UConn and its stingy defense last season. She nearly eclipsed a Husky school record for field goal percentage at Oklahoma State. O Neill hit her first nine shots from the field, en route to a 20 point, nine rebound effort against the Cowgirls. She was nearing former standout Karen Deden s mark of 10-of11 (.919) versus Arizona State back in O Neill, one of three Huskies averaging double figure scoring, is third on the team at 11.2 points per game. O'Neill, whose younger sister Kristen recently signed with Huskies for next season, finished her high school career at Meadowdale with 1,414 points, 810 rebounds, 213 steals and 170 blocks with a career field goal percentage of 50.9 percent. What They re Saying about O Neill I like the way she plays, Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma said of Kellie O Neill after she scored 27 points against them on Nov. 24. You have to guard her at the 3-point line. She s really smart with the ball in the lane. Their guards (Megan Franza and injured Loree Payne) get a lot of mention and notoriety, and they should. But I think that kid (O Neill) is really, really good. Home Sweet Home: Over the last year and a half, Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion has undergone an extensive renovation. On Nov. 24 the Huskies, who hosted defending national champion Connecticut, moved back into their on-campus arena a venue that provides the charm of its original 1920s style along with all the modern conveniences of today. Over $40 million dollars in improvements have been made and the new transformation ensures that every person in the building has a great seat with no obstructed views. The Huskies have enjoyed remarkable success in Hec Edmundson Pavilion, now called Bank of America Arena, building a long-standing tradition of top-notch women s basketball on the west coast and across the country. This season marks the 72 nd year of service for the historical building that has an entirely new look on the inside. The renovation gives Washington a much-needed new competition and practice facility for several of its teams. The seating capacity has been increased from 7,900 to 10,000 and gone are the supports pillars that have obstructed views from the upper level seats since the buildings inception. The renovation design of Hec Edmundson Pavilion began in the summer of Construction began in March, 1999 with completion in the fall of Player Notes 24 Kellie O Neill... Had a career-high 27 points vs. No. 1 Connecticut pts. in the first half pts., 9 rebounds at Oklahoma State... hit her first nine shots of the game at OSU pts./12 rbs for fourth career double-double vs. USC LeAnn Sheets... Missed Nebraska and Oklahoma State games with sprained ankle... returned to starting lineup vs. St. Mary s... Times Classic all-tourney team... team-high 14 pts. vs. CSU... 9 pts./10 rbs. vs. USC Megan Franza... Veteran senior captain is again leading scorer with 13.8 ppg pts. in season-opener at Indiana pts. vs. Nebraska... tied her career-high with 13 3 pt. attempts... No. 9 on UW career scroring list w/1,284 pts.... Times Classic all-tourney team... scored 6 pts. in third OT period to lead UW to win Giuliana Mendiola... Impressive in first 14 games points at Boise St., with 4 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers in 30 min.... has started 12 games... 1 turnover in first collegiate game at Indiana and also hit 3-pointer to send game to OT... leads Pac-10 with four doubledoubles, most recently vs. USC (12 pts./10 rbs)... plays point guard and either wing position... leading rebounder with 7.3 rpg... MVP of Seattle Times Classic... 8 assists vs. UCLA... only 2 turnovers in 41 minutes vs. USC... ranks in top 10 in six Pac-10 stat categories Loree Payne... saw her first action of the season against LMU (8 pts.) and JMU (3 pts.)... 9 points in 21 minutes vs. CSU... returned to starting lineup vs. UCLA and USC... game-high 21 pts. vs. USC... 10th time to score 20+ points in her career. Off the Bench 4 - Melissa Erickson... Senior leadership and inside presence Sarah Duncan... Top defender off the bench... has played in 9-of- 10 games... 3 rebounds, 3 assists at Oklahoma State Emily Autrey... Came off the bench at Boise St. for a career-high 20 points on 8-11 fg... 6 pts., 6 rbs. vs. LMU. 31- Gioconda Mendiola... Averaging 8 minutes a game in first season... speedy guard... against LMU, followed a three pointer by her sister Giuliana with one of her own, for her first points of the season... team and career-high 10 pts. vs. UCLA... birthday was USC game day (Jan. 7) Jill Pimley... Has started 9 games... tri-captain... defensive stalwart... stat sheet stuffer who does all the little things... career-high 14 points vs. St. Mary s... banked a 3-pointer for game highlight... tied for second in Pac-10 in FT percentage (20-23/.870) from three point line vs. UCLA... 7 rebounds vs. USC.

7 Husky Women s Basketball, page Carli Halpenny... Healthy for first time in three seasons... has made tremendous improvement in strength and aggressiveness... initially entered season as a redshirt junior but will complete her eligibility this season and study the spring quarter in Rome, Italy Andrea Lalum... Made her first start at Oklahoma State... four blocked shots against St. Mary s is best for a Husky since Amber Hall in can pound inside or step and hit for three... 9 pts./9 rbs. vs. UCLA.... only FG of the USC game came in 3rd OT and extended UW lead to 11 points... first double-double with 13 pts./10 rbs. at Arizona Heather Reichmann... Has seen limited action in first 7 games... 3 rebounds at Oklahoma State... 2 steals and 1 assist vs. St. Mary s Cheryl Sorenson... Sat out Boise St. with tendinitis in knee and has played sparingly since then... versatile guard/forward... returns from redshirt season and ACL surgery... impressive in first game back, at Indiana, with 5-7 fg for 12 pts., 4 rebounds. The Schedule: As is tradition, the Washington women s basketball team faces a challenging schedule as it enters the season. The Huskies face 11 teams that played in the postseason last year, seven in the NCAA Tournament, and already saw none other than defending national champion Connecticut Nov. 24. Four Pac-10 teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and four opponents played in the WNIT, including national semi-finalist Colorado State. Coaching Staff: Head coach June Daugherty and her staff enter their fifth year at Washington, with one newcomer on list. Former Michigan Wolverine Yeshimbra Shimmy Gray joins the Huskies this season, replacing Hulett Brooks who left to pursue private business. Daugherty, who was inducted into the Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame in September, and her assistants, Sunny Smallwood and Mike Daugherty, have been together since the season. Gold Medal Count: Sophomore Loree Payne capped a stellar freshman campaign with her selection to the USA Basketball R.William Jones Cup team that annually plays in Taiwan. The youngest player on the squad and the lone representative from the Pac-10, Payne helped lead the team to a gold medal in the four-game tournament. She finished with 16 points, three rebounds and four assists in three games played. Payne tallied 11 points in the gold medal game. The program allows Halpenny, who maintains a 3.75 grade point average, to complete her undergraduate degree in zoology and graduate in June, She has elected to complete her basketball eligibility at the conclusion of this season, a move that now gives the Huskies a sixplayer senior class. Halpenny joins Sarah Duncan, Melissa Erickson, Megan Franza, Jill Pimley and LeAnn Sheets in their final year of eligibility. Halpenny, a 6-foot-3 center, enters this season healthy for the first time since her arrival in She has played in all six games this year and is averaging 10 minutes and 2.8 points per game. Halpenny suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee upon her arrival in 1997 and used a redshirt season for her rehabilitation. She saw limited action in her first two seasons, playing in eight games as a redshirt freshman in 1999 and nine games as a sophomore last year. Recapping : Faced with a spate of injuries to its front line and a young squad with no seniors, Washington suffered through its first losing season in school history with a record of 8-22 overall and 4-14 th for a ninth place finish in the Pac-10. The season was not without its highlights though, the biggest coming back on Jan. 27 when the Huskies upset No. 24 Stanford and captured the 500 th win for the women s basketball program. It was the second victory in a row over Stanford and career win No. 180 for coach June Daugherty. Washington was led by the scoring duo of Loree Payne (17.4 ppg) and Megan Franza (17.2 ppg), who combined to form the highest scoring duo from the same school in Pac-10 history. Franza was named to the All-Pac-10 First Team, continuing a tradition which has seen Washington have a player on the first team every year but two since the league began play in the season. Payne finished the year as one of the most prolific freshman players in UW history. She broke eight freshman records, highlighted by her scoring mark of 521 points. Departures: Although Washington did not lose anyone to graduation, two players did not return to the team this season. Starting point guard Julia Gray transferred to UNLV and reserve center Tiffiany Diggins left the program. Washington returns four of its starters from a year ago. Reichmann Honored: Junior forward Heather Reichmann received a special honor when her high school jersey was retired in a surprise ceremony Dec. 19. Reichmann, who prepped at King s High School in Everett, was a three sport star in high school, earning letters in basketball, swimming and track. The 1998 Class A Player of the Year, Reichmann led her basketball team to a 25-3 record and the state title as a junior and a second place finish as a senior. Halpenny Selected to Study Abroad Carli Halpenny is one of 25 University of Washington undergraduates selected to participate in a prestigious international study program during the spring quarter. She was chosen from a pool of 50 applicants to participate in the UW s Comparative History of Ideas (CHID) program. Halpenny, a redshirt junior, will spend the spring, 2000 academic quarter at school in Rome, Italy in the program that involves the study of literature, architecture and the culture and language of the country. She was one of 12 students chosen from outside the UW architecture school to join the 25-person travel party.