UCLA Women s Basketball Schedule

Transcription

1 UCLA Women s Basketball Schedule Day, Date Opponent Site Time At Site Mon., Nov. 8 VANGUARD (exhibition) Pauley Pavilion 7 pm Fri., Nov. San Diego State (themtn.) San Diego, CA 7 pm Sun., Nov. 14 UC SANTA BARBARA Pauley Pavilion 2 pm Thu., Nov. Notre Dame South Bend, IN 7 pm ET Sun., Nov. 21 UC DAVIS Pauley Pavilion 2 pm Sun., Nov. 28 TEMPLE Pauley Pavilion 2 pm Fri., Dec. LMU Westchester, CA 7 pm Sun., Dec. 5 MONTANA STATE Pauley Pavilion 1 pm Sun., Dec. St. Mary's Moraga, CA 2 pm Sun., Dec. 19 v. Hawaii Hilo, HI 7 pm HT Mon., Dec. 20 v. East Carolina Hilo, HI 7 pm HT Tues., Dec. 28 LOUISIANA STATE Pauley Pavilion 7 pm Fri., Dec. Washington* Seattle, WA 2 pm Sun., Jan. Washington State* Pullman, WA 1 pm Sat., Jan. 8 USC* (FSN) Pauley Pavilion 1:30 pm Thu., Jan. 13 OREGON STATE* Pauley Pavilion 7 pm Sat., Jan. 15 OREGON* (FSN) Pauley Pavilion 1:30 pm Thu., Jan. Stanford* Stanford, CA 7 pm Sat., Jan. California* Berkeley, CA 2 pm Thu., Jan. 27 ARIZONA STATE* Pauley Pavilion 7 pm Sat., Jan. 29 ARIZONA* Pauley Pavilion 2 pm Sun., Feb. USC* (FSN) Galen Center 1 pm Thu., Feb. Oregon* Eugene, OR 7 pm Sat., Feb. Oregon State* Corvallis, OR 2 pm Thu., Feb. 18 CALIFORNIA* Pauley Pavilion 7 pm Sat., Feb. 20 STANFORD* (FSN) Pauley Pavilion Noon Thu., Feb. Arizona* Tucson, AZ 7 pm MT Sat., Feb. Arizona State* Tempe, AZ 8:30 pm MT Thu., Mar. 3 WASHINGTON* Pauley Pavilion 7 pm Sat., Mar. 5 WASHINGTON STATE* Pauley Pavilion 2 pm Wed., Mar. 9 Pac-10 Tournament - 1st Round Galen Center Noon / 2:15 /5:00/ 7:15 p.m. Thu., Mar. 10 Pac-10 Tournament - Quarterfinals Galen Center 3:00 / 5:15 p.m. Fri., Mar. 11 Pac-10 Tournament - Semifinals (FSN) Staples Center Noon / 2:30 p.m. Sat., Mar. 12 Pac-10 Tournament - Championship (FSN) Staples Center 11:30 a.m. NCAA First Round / Second Rounds Sat./Mon., Mar. 19/21 (Berkeley, CA; Durham, NC; Knoxville, TN; Louisville, KY; Seattle, WA; Stanford, CA; Tallahassee, FL; Tempe, AZ) Sun./Tue., Mar. 20/22 (Ames, IA; Austin, TX; Cincinnati, OH; Minneapolis, MN; Norfolk, VA; Norman, OK; South Bend, IN; Pittsburgh, PA) NCAA Regionals Sat./Mon., Mar. 26/28 (Memphis, TN - FedEx Arena; Sacramento, CA - Arco Arena) Sun./Tue., Mar. 27/29 (Dayton, OH - U. of Dayton Arena; Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center) Sun., Apr. 3 NCAA Semifinals (Conseco Arena) Indianapolis, IN TBD Tue., Apr. 5 NCAA Championship (Conseco Arena) Indianapolis, IN TBD Home games in BOLD ALL CAPS. Game times listed are local to game site and subject to change. Key: * denotes Pacific-10 Conference Game Internet broadcast on

2 UCLA Quick Facts General Information Official Name:...University of California, Los Angeles Location:...Los Angeles, CA Athletic Dept. Address:... J.D. Morgan Center Westwood Plaza... Los Angeles, CA Enrollment:... 38,500 Founded: Colors:... Blue and Gold Nickname:... Bruins National Affiliation:... NCAA Division I Conference:... Pacific-10 Arena, Year Built (capacity):...pauley Pavilion, (12,000) University Personnel Chancellor:... Dr. Gene Block (Stanford '70)...Phone: 310/ Faculty Representative:...Don Morrison (MIT 61)...Phone: 310/ Athletic Director:...Daniel G. Guerrero (UCLA 74)...Phone: 310/ Sr. Women s Administrator: Petrina Long (California 77)...Phone: 310/ Athletic Department Phone: / Ticket Office Phone: /UCLA-WIN ( ) Sports Information Women s Basketball Contacts:...Steve Rourke...Liza David Sports Information Office Phone: / Sports Information Office FAX: / Rourke ...srourke@athletics.ucla.edu David ...ldavid@athletics.ucla.edu Website:... Press Row Phone: / Radio Network Radio Station:... UCLA Radio Network Play-by-Play:...Dave Marcus Color Commentary:... Michael Sondheimer Basketball Information Head Coach:...Nikki Caldwell (Tennessee 94) Record, Current School (Years): , Record, Career:... same Basketball Office Phone:... (310) Best Time/Day to Reach Coach:...Mornings Asst. Coaches:... Stacie Terry (Texas-Arlington 98)... Tony Perotti (Tennessee 99)...Tasha Butts (Tennessee 04) Director of Basketball Operations:... Pam Walker Administrative Assistant:... Jonathan Silver Staff Athletic Trainer:...Kristin Lage Student Athletic Trainers:...Sonal Singh,... Nicole Watanabe Head Team Manager:...Michele Blaisdell Team Information Record: Conf. Rec., Place: , 2nd Starters Returning (4):...Doreena Campbell G, 5-10, Sr., 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg...jasmine Dixon, F 6-0, Jr., 15.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg... Markel Walker, G/F, 6-1, So., 10.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg...darxia Morris, G, 5-8, Sr., 8.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg Starters Lost (1):...Erica Tukiainen, G, 6-0, Sr., 7.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg Others Returning (6):... Nina Earl, F, 6-1, Sr.,4.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg... Rebekah Gardner, G, 6-1, Jr.,6.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg...atonye Nyingifa, F, 5-11, So.R, 6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg*... Christina Nzekwe, F, 6-4, Sr., 2.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg...jackie Shepard, G, 5-10, So., 0.4 ppg, 0.2 rpg... Mariah Williams, G, 5-4, So, 2.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg *= indicates stats Letterwinners Lost (3):... Allison Taka, G, 5-8, Sr.,0.4 ppg, 0.0 rpg...erica Tukiainen, G, 6-0, Sr., 7.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg...moniquee Alexander, C, 6-4, Sr.,2.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg Newcomers (3):...Corinne Costa, F/C, 6-4, Fr., 15.0 ppg... Rhema Gardner, G/F 6-1, Fr., 8.8 ppg...thea Lemberger, G, 5-7, Fr., 18.3 ppg History First Year of Basketball Overall All-Time Record (.599) NCAA Appearances/Last...10/2010 Last post-season appearance (Lost in NCAA 2nd Rd. to Nebraska, 83-70) The UCLA Athletic Department would like to express its gratitude to the following for endowing scholarships for Women s Basketball: Evelyn & Eleanor Lloyd Dees Parker & Spencer Felix Rose Gilbert Stephen & Ann Goldberg Bette McBain Kirk Pasich & Pamela Woods Christopher, Kelly & Connor Pasich UCLA Women's Basketball

3 Table of Contents Noelle Quinn Nikki Caldwell Nina Earl This Is UCLA Women's Basketball The Future Of Pauley Pavilion...1 Game Day...2 Student-Athletes...3 Serving The Community...4 Workout Warriors...5 Bruin Life...6 LA Life...7 Media Exposure NCAA Team Championships...9 Elite Players WNBA Bruins The Bruin Family The Bruins Schedule UCLA Quick Facts TV/Radio Position Guide Roster Season Outlook The Basketball Staff Returning Player Biographies Newcomer Biographies The Season Season In Review Final Statistics and Results Player Career Game-by-Game Stats Box Scores Pac-10 Standings and Honors Pac-10 Individual Leaders Pac-10 Team Leaders The Opponents Opponent Information UCLA s All-Time Record vs. Opponents UCLA s Record vs. Conferences The Record Books UCLA s 30 Point and Up Club UCLA s Individual School Records UCLA s Team School Records UCLA s Career Records UCLA s Single-Season Leaders UCLA's Top Single-Season Team Performances Freshman Single-Season Leaders Class Single-Season Leaders Yearly Individual Leaders By the Numbers UCLA s Home Court Records Pauley Pavilion - Home of the Bruins The History All-Time Letterwinner List All-Time Numerical Roster Starting Lineups, to Present UCLA Honor Roll - National Awards UCLA Honor Roll - Conference Awards Bruins on USA National Teams Bruins in the Pros Where Are They Now? ,000 Point Club The Bruin Elite Retired Numbers UCLA Hall of Fame Coaches Individual Career Statistics, 1975-Present Year-by-Year Team Statistics All-Time Game-by-Game Results The Post-Season NCAA Tournament Box Scores The National Championship Season Team Honored On 30th Anniversary Pac-10 Champions, Elite Eight Participants Pac-10 Tournament Champions General Information Pacific-10 Composite Schedule Media Information Administrator Biographies/Key Athletic Dept. Staff Follow The Bruins On The Air Credits The UCLA Women s Basketball Guide was compiled by Steve Rourke, Associate Sports Information Director, and Liza David, Assistant Sports Information Director, with assistance from Allison Taka. Primary photography by ASUCLA Campus Studio (Don Liebig and Todd Cheney). Additional photos provided by Scott Chandler, Thomas Campbell, USA Basketball, Berliner Studios, Andrew Bernstein, Elsa/Getty Images, Los Angeles Sparks, David Sherman/Minnesota Lynx, NBAE, Getty Images, Ruth Chambers, WNBA Photos, NBA Photos, and the Los Angeles Visitors and Convention Bureau. Cover design by Liza David. Printing by Marina Graphic Center. Copyright This media guide is copyrighted by the UCLA Athletic Dept. No portion of the book may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of the UCLA Athletic Dept. To Get a Copy Copies of the women s basketball media guide are available (in pdf format) on line at uclabruins.com. in the women's basketball section. To Request Media Credentials Write/Call/ Steve Rourke (srourke@athletics.ucla. edu)/liza David (ldavid@athletics.ucla.edu), Sports Information Office, UCLA Athletic Department, P.O. Box 24044, Los Angeles, CA , (310) FAX: (310) A minimum 24-hour notice is required to guarantee credential requests. Please make all interview arrangements through the Sports Information Office UCLA Women's Basketball 15

4 TV/Radio Position Guide #1 Nina Earl - F 6-1, Senior Pomona, CA #2 Jackie Shepard - G 5-10, Sophomore Atherton, CA #3 Darxia Morris - G 5-8, Senior Pasadena, CA #4 Christina Nzekwe - F/C 6-4, Senior Seattle, WA #5 Mariah Williams - G 5-4, Sophomore Colorado Springs, CO #11 Atonye Nyingifa - F 5-11, Redshirt Sophomore Torrance, CA #13 Thea Lemberger - G 5-7, Freshman Santa Monica, CA #20 Rhema Gardner - G/F 6-1, Freshman Upland, CA #21 Doreena Campbell - G 5-10, Senior Alexandria, VA #23 Markel Walker - G/F 6-1, Sophomore Philadelphia, PA #33 Jasmine Dixon - F 6-0, Junior Long Beach, CA #34 Corinne Costa - F/C 6-4, Freshman Brentwood, CA #35 Rebekah Gardner - G 6-1, Junior Upland, CA Nikki Caldwell Head Coach Stacie Terry Assistant Coach u Pronunciations Corinne Costa... Core-IN Jasmine Dixon... JAZZ-min Nina Earl... KNEE-nah Rhema Gardner... RAY-muh Thea Lemberger... THEE-uh Darxia Morris...dar-EX-ee-uh Atonye Nyingifa... ah-tone-yay YING-gu-fa Christina Nzekwe...na-ZECK-way Markel Walker... Mar-KELL Tony Perotti Assistant Coach Tasha Butts Assistant Coach Pam Walker Dir. of Bkb. Operations 22nd Year Tony Perotti...per-OH-tea UCLA Women's Basketball

5 Roster The Bruins - Standing (l-r): Mariah Williams, Jackie Shepard, Rhema Gardner, Markel Walker, Corinne Costa, Jasmine Dixon, Rebekah Gardner, Atonye Nyingifa, Thea Lemberger. Seated (l-r): Christina Nzekwe, Darxia Morris. Doreena Campbell, Nina Earl. Numerical UCLA Women s Basketball Roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Birthdate Exp. Hometown (High School) 1 Nina Earl F 6-1 Sr. 01/16/89 3V Pomona, CA (Diamond Ranch HS) 2 Jackie Shepard G 5-10 So. 09/17/90 1V Atherton, CA (Menlo School) 3 Darxia Morris G 5-8 Sr. 10/09/89 3V Pasadena, CA (Muir HS) 4 Christina Nzekwe F/C 6-4 Sr. 03/17/89 3V Seattle, WA (Chief Sealth HS) 5 Mariah Williams G 5-4 So. 10/14/90 1V Colorado Springs, CO (Regis Jesuit HS) 11 Atonye Nyingifa F 5-11 So.R 12/08/90 1V Torrance, CA (Redondo Union HS) 13 Thea Lemberger G 5-7 Fr. 05/26/92 HS Santa Monica, CA (Santa Monica HS) 20 Rhema Gardner G/F 6-1 Fr. 01/21/92 HS Upland, CA (Ayala HS) 21 Doreena Campbell G 5-10 Sr. 07/03/89 3V Alexandria, VA (Edison HS) 23 Markel Walker G/F 6-1 So. 11/07/90 1V Philadelphia, PA (Schenley HS) 33 Jasmine Dixon F 6-0 Jr. 04/19/90 1V Long Beach, CA (Poly HS/ Rutgers) 34 Corinne Costa F/C 6-4 Fr. 03/19/92 HS Brentwood, CA (Liberty HS) 35 Rebekah Gardner G 6-1 Jr. 07/09/90 2V Upland, CA (Ayala HS) Alphabetical UCLA Women s Basketball Roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Birthdate Exp. Hometown (High School) 21 Doreena Campbell G 5-10 Sr. 07/03/89 3V Alexandria, VA (Edison HS) 34 Corinne Costa F/C 6-4 Fr. 03/19/92 HS Brentwood, CA (Liberty HS) 33 Jasmine Dixon F 6-0 Jr. 04/19/90 1V Long Beach, CA (Poly HS / Rutgers) 1 Nina Earl F 6-1 Sr. 01/16/89 3V Pomona, CA (Diamond Ranch HS) 35 Rebekah Gardner G 6-1 Jr. 07/09/90 2V Upland, CA (Ayala HS) 20 Rhema Gardner G/F 6-1 Fr. 01/21/92 HS Upland, CA (Ayala HS) 13 Thea Lemberger G 5-7 Fr. 05/26/92 HS Santa Monica, CA (Santa Monica HS) 3 Darxia Morris G 5-8 Sr. 10/09/89 3V Pasadena, CA (Muir HS) 11 Atonye Nyingifa F 5-11 So.R 12/08/90 1V Torrance, CA (Redondo Union HS) 4 Christina Nzekwe F/C 6-4 Sr. 03/17/89 3V Seattle, WA (Chief Sealth HS) 2 Jackie Shepard G 5-10 So. 09/17/90 1V Atherton, CA (Menlo School) 23 Markel Walker G/F 6-1 So. 11/07/90 1V Philadelphia, PA (Schenley HS) 5 Mariah Williams G 5-4 So. 10/14/90 1V Colorado Springs, CO (Regis Jesuit HS) Head Coach: Nikki Caldwell (Tennessee 94) Asst. Coaches: Stacie Terry (Texas-Arlington 98); Tony Perotti (Tennessee 99); Tasha Butts (Tennessee 04) Director of Basketball Operations: Pam Walker (UCLA 85) Squad Breakdown Seniors (4) Doreena Campbell Nina Earl Darxia Morris Christina Nzekwe Juniors (2) Jasmine Dixon Rebekah Gardner Sophomores (4) Atonye Nyingifa Jackie Shepard Markel Walker Mariah Williams Freshmen (3) Corinne Costa Thea Lemberger Rhema Gardner From California: 9 From Colorado: 1 From Pennsylvania: 1 From Virginia: 1 From Washington: 1 Oldest: Nina Earl, 1/16/89 Youngest: Thea Lemberger, 5/26/92 In-Season Birthdays Nov. 7 - Markel Walker, 20th Dec. 8 - Atonye Nyingifa, 20th Jan Nina Earl, 22nd Jan Rhema Gardner, 19th Mar Christina Nzekwe, 22nd Mar. 19th - Corinne Costa, 19th See p.12 for Pronunciation Guide UCLA Women's Basketball 17

6 Season Outlook Head coach Nikki Caldwell s squad hopes to use one of the program s most successful seasons as a springboard to further ascend up the ladder of women s basketball hierarchy. Caldwell became the first UCLA coach ever to garner the Pac-10 Coach of the Year Award after leading her team to a 25-win season, an NCAA Tournament bid and a second-place finish in the conference last year.the victory total was the fourth-best in UCLA history. The 15 conference wins matched the program s highest-ever league win total. The opponent scoring average of 57.5 points per game established a new school record. Four starters and six of the top seven scorers are set to return for what promises to be a very exciting campaign. The returnees include the top three rebounders, the top seven in assists, four of the top five in blocked shots and the top six leaders in steals. SENIOR CLASS Doreena Campbell The Bruins return four seniors to the fold, including the two returning starters at the guard position. Guard Doreena Campbell (5-10) has earned all-conference accolades the last two seasons (1st team in 10; 2nd team in 09). She finished among the Pac-10 statistical leaders in several categories in scoring-24th; assists-tied for seventh; free throw percentage-second; assist/turnover ratio-seventh. She enters her final season ranked as the best percentage three-point shooter (.412), with over 100 attempts, and the best free throw percentage shooter (.821) in UCLA history. Campbell will also attempt to join Ann Meyers and Nikki Blue as Bruins with at least 100 assists in four straight seasons. Guard Darxia Morris (5-8) saw action in 34 games with 26 starts a year ago. She led the team in assists (106) and averaged 8.6 points per contest. She had 16 doubledigit scoring performances and four or more assists in 10 games. Morris makes things happen on the court, as evidenced by her finishes of fifth in the conference in assists (3.1/g) and fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.28). "When I look at the backcourt I see leadership," related Caldwell. "I see two young ladies who have withstood the test of time since I have been here. They have led the team in every facet -- to our running game, to bringing pressure to the basketball and allowing us to extend our defense. They also give us the offensive threat where you have to play them for the three and for penetration. Their versatility really complements each other." Forward Nina Earl (6-1) appeared in 32 games last season and averaged 4.5 points per outing. She started five contests and played double-digit minutes in 22 games. Earl had 12 games with at least two steals. "Nina is someone who is very coachable and can play many roles for this team," detailed Caldwell. "She has been very unselfish. This year she gives us that transition game which is what she does best. She is someone who can really be a spark for us. When we need a turnover, she is able to generate that with her athleticism and foot speed. When we extend our defense, she is there because she is able to cover so much ground." Forward/center Christina Nzekwe (6-4) saw action in all 34 games with four starts last season. She averaged 2.6 points and 4.1 rebounds and played double-digit minutes in 32 games. While she has a presence on the inside, she also enjoys a perimeter element in her game. "Christina is a post player with some perimeter skills," Caldwell pointed out. "She can shoot the three and take a player off the bounce. After getting a rebound, she can start the fast break herself. She knows that if she gives the ball up; she can get it back. She is also a kid who plays tough for us on the inside." JUNIOR CLASS The junior class features a pair of players who emerged as impact players last season. Guard Rebekah Gardner (6-1) was arguably the most improved player on last year s squad. She upped her scoring average to just under seven points per contest and led the team with 25 blocked shots (14th in the Pac-10). She owns a solid, steady game and totaled a career-high 19 points in a Bruin win over Washington State. "Rebekah has started before and I can see her stepping into that role again for us this season," said coach Caldwell. "Movement without the ball is one of her strengths. I have played her at each position, one through four. I like that she has really worked this offseason at polishing her game. She is doing a much better job of taking on responsibility for the team, not only offensively, but defensively, and with her board play." Jasmine Dixon (6-0) transferred to UCLA from Rutgers in January 2009 and became eligible to compete in mid-december. She saw action in and started all 27 games after that and led the team in scoring average (15.3, sixth in Pac-10) and rebound average (8.0, seventh in Pac-10). Dixon also placed third in the league in steals (2.22). She became just the second Bruin (joining Natalie Williams) to ever record a 30-point, 20-rebound game when she went for 31 points and 20 rebounds while leading a second-half comeback from 16 points down at Oregon. "Jasmine, first and foremost, represents toughness," offered Caldwell. "No matter who she goes up against she brings a competitive spirit to the task. Last season, she immediately fit into our system and fit into her role. She made us a better team and made the players around her better as well. She became someone we could count on, a go-to player, not only offensively, but also defensively with her post defense in the paint and her ability to rebound the basketball." SOPHOMORE CLASS The Bruins feature four exciting players in the sophomore class. Forward/guard Markel Walker (6-1) was second on the squad in scoring (10.8, 22nd in Pac-10) and rebounding (7.5, eighth in Pac-10). Her total of 255 rebounds ranked as the 18th-most in Bruin single season history. She led the team in steals with 68 (fifth in Pac /g) and handed out 88 assists (12th in Pac /g). "Markel played big for us in alot of games last year," said coach Caldwell. "She is someone who has the skills and ability to play any position on the court and we are continually working to enhance that. She really has the ability to pass the basketball, which I think is one of the lost arts in the game. She knows she can give others great looks and get her own looks as well." Mariah Williams (5-4) is a guard with electric speed and quickness. She averaged 2.1 points and 1.5 assists while appearing in 33 games with six starts. "Mariah plays with her emotions on her chest," added Caldwell. "She has got a toughness about her. She gives us a great running game and has worked extremely hard in the off-season. She is a student of the What s Returning from % Field Goals Made (747 of 879) 80% Games Started (136/170) 82% Minutes Played (5,564/6,800) 84% Points (1,942 of 2,305) 84% Rebounds (991/1,184) 60% 3-Pt. Field Goals (76/126) 93% Assists (452/485) 89% Steals (324/362) 72% Blocks (77/107) UCLA Women's Basketball

7 Season Outlook Jasmine Dixon SQUAD BREAKDOWN Returning Starters (4) Name Ht. Pos. Class Hometown Ppg Rpg Doreena Campbell 5-10 G Sr. Alexandria, VA Jasmine Dixon 6-0 F Jr. Long Beach, CA Darxia Morris 5-8 G Sr. Pasadena, CA Markel Walker 6-1 G/F So. Philadelphia, PA Other Returning Letterwinners (6) Nina Earl 6-1 F Sr. Pomona, CA Atonye Nyingifa 5-11 F So.R Torrance, CA * Christina Nzekwe 6-4 F/C Sr. Seattle, WA Rebekah Gardner 6-1 G Jr. Upland, CA Jackie Shepard 5-10 G So. Atherton, CA Mariah Williams 5-4 G So. Colorado Springs, CO Totals Returning * stats not inlcluded Letterwinners Lost (3) Moniquee Alexander 6-6 C Sr. Harbor City, CA Allison Taka 5-8 G Sr. Culver City, CA Erica Tukiainen 6-0 G Sr. Los Angeles, CA Totals Lost Newcomers (3) Corinne Costa 6-4 F/C Fr. Brentwood, CA Rhema Gardner 6-1 G/F Fr. Upland, CA Thea Lemberger 5-7 G Fr. Santa Monica, CA a *indicates averages game and is one of the hardest working players on our team. Her competitive spirit and drive is something the team feeds off of." Forward Atonye Nyingifa (5-11) sat out the season due to the knee injury she suffered at the USA Basketball Trials in May of 09. In her freshman season of 08-09, she saw action in all 31 contests, starting the final 16 games. Nyingifa was selected to the Pac-10 All-Freshman squad and was the lone Bruin chosen to the Pac-10 All-Tournament team. She led the team in rebounding during the Pac-10 games only with a mark of 5.6 caroms a contest. In her starting assignments, Nyingifa averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 boards as a freshman. In May of 09, she was invited to take part in the USA Basketball Trials, however, she suffered a serious knee injury during that competition. She continued her rehabilitation process through last season and is expected to once again be a key contributor. "Atonye turned it on late in her first season," noted coach Caldwell. "She is a different type of player for us. While Dixon brings the power game and Walker brings the perimeter finesse game, Atonye brings a little of both. Her versatility and athleticism on the floor makes us even deeper." Jackie Shepard (5-10) is a guard with shooting skills. She saw action in 10 games last season after joining the squad as a walk on. "Jackie is a hard worker who brings it each day in practice," added Caldwell. "She has great basketball sense and can shoot the ball." FRESHMAN CLASS The Bruins welcome a trio of freshmen who will help to improve the team s depth. Forward/center Corinne Costa (6-4) averaged 15.0 points, 2.7 blocks and 6.5 rebounds per game for her Liberty HS team in Discovery Bay, CA in Northern California. She had eight 20-point games and five 15-rebound contests last season. "Corinne gives us what Moniquee Alexander gave us a year ago -- some size and a presence in the paint," said coach Caldwell. "We are teaching her the game and system. I expect that she will give us some valuable, valuable minutes." Rhema (RAY-muh) Gardner (6-1) is an athletic guard/forward with speed and quickness who is the younger sister of Rebekah. She averaged 8.8 points per game and 5.4 rebounds while helping Ayala HS reach the CIF Southern Section semifinals last season. "Rhema is 6-1, long and lanky," added Caldwell. "She brings a toughness at the two, three and four spots and gives us the versatility to play a bigger lineup with quickness." Thea Lemberger (5-7) is a guard who can handle the ball and provide perimeter shooting. She averaged 18.3 points per game and 3.3 assists while helping Santa Monica HS reach the semifinals of the state regional playoffs after capturing the Div. 1 CIF SS championship. "Thea has the ability to knock down the three," added Caldwell. "She's a smart, heady player who will stand in there and sacrifice her body. I like the way she responds to adversity when her team is down. She has the competitive drive to will her team to success." SCHEDULE The Bruins will face a schedule which features 11 teams and 16 possible games with opponents that appeared in post-season play last season. Four were in the NCAA tournament (San Diego State, Temple, LSU and Stanford); six participated in the Women s NIT (UC Davis, St. Mary s, East Carolina, ASU, Cal and Oregon); one (Washington) took part in the WBI. "We try to make the non-conference schedule as competitive as we can nationally," added Caldwell. "We attempt to position ourselves to be seen nationally, representing the Pac-10 in a national way. We want to make sure we are doing what it takes to prepare our team for conference play." Markel Walker UCLA Women's Basketball 19