Lady Bulldogs third in ASC as playoffs draw near

After starting the season with three consecutive loses, the TLU woman's basketball team is making a confident run through the American Southwest Conference schedule.

Roxanne Long in her second year as head coach feels she has her team ready for a strong showing in the ASC conference tournament. "So far I am really proud of how our season has gone and how a lot of players have stepped up for us. We are just starting the west side of our conference, so for us the season is starting over; if we play well down this stretch it will get us into the playoffs."

One of the biggest differences from this year and last year is the amount of depth that the Bulldogs have. The ability to sub players in and out without losing production has made them a feared team around the league. "Depth," says Long, "has added a good element to our game plan. We have a lot of players who can play different positions and add talent to our rotation."

Another improvement to this team has been their ability to get points in the paint. Rising stars Pearl Kafka, sophomore kinesiology major and Candace Mitchell, sophomore kinesiology major have given the Bulldogs much needed presence down low, allowing outside shooters like Jennifer Munoz, sophomore kinesiology major and Kim Hagan, sophomore kinesiology major to light up the scoreboard night after night.

Hagan, who has become one of the leaders of the team, believes there have been successful adjustments made since last year.

"A lot of us played as freshman last year and just to mature and pull out close games has been a big difference from last year. We are a really young team; we only have one senior and two juniors, and since many of us played as freshman, I think the experience has helped us." Hagan said.

When looking for the catalyst of the team, look no further than at the head coach for the Lady Bulldogs.

In just two years after accepting the position as head coach, Coach Long has guided her team to an 8-5 ASC record and 9-7 overall.

Long received the ASC West Co-Coach of the year award for her accomplishments last year and has had her girls playing better than ever, taking them from the bottom to the top of the ASC rankings.

"We are very fortunate to have one of the best woman coaches in the conference here at TLU," said Bill Miller, director of athletics. "There is no doubt that we have one of the best coaches around and maybe in the whole state. These young ladies are doing a remarkable job with their work ethic and team work, and it all starts with Coach Long."

TLU has not had a successful woman's basketball program, historically dwelling near the bottom of the ASC. However with this team it has become apparent that the Lady Bulldogs are here to fight, and here to win.

Everyone is surprised by the sudden rise in success with this team; everyone except for the ones involved in the program.

"It does not surprise me, because of the ability of the players and of Coach Long," said Miller. "Two years ago we were 0-25, so you can see from the two years Coach Long has been here, to put us in contention for the playoffs is an amazing feat. It's a combination of good coaching and good players, and we are very fortunate to have both of those things in our woman's basketball program."