Last year UCLA was 28-5 overall, with losses to Stanford 3 times, LSU by 2 and to Gonzaga in the NCAAs. They also beat Notre Dame in double Overtime at Notre Dame. UCLA was 2nd in Pac 10 play, at 16-2.
Nikki Caldwell moved on after 3 seasons at UCLA and is replaced by Cori Close. Close was a 4 year starter at UCSB after graduating from Milpitas High School. After UCSB she was an Assistant and UCLA for 2 years while getting her Masters. She then coached at UCSB for 9 years going to the NCAA the last 8, not sure why not Year 1 as they won their league. Then she moved on to Florida State as the Associate Head Coach for 7 years. She has been to the Elite 8 with Florida State and the Sweet 16 with UCSB.
Shannon Perry is a new Assistant after 5 years at Duke and 4 at USC. She is a Southern California native.
Tony Newman moves to UCLA from Westmont College in Santa Barbara where he coached for the past 8 seasons. He has coached at Oregon State and coached at UCSB for 7 seasons, mostly with Close.
Jenny Huth was a three time a Big 12 selection at Colorado. She has coached at Oakland College in Michigan and coached for several years with Close at Florida State, while getting her Masters degree.
Losses:
Jasmine Dixon is a 5-11 SR Forward but out for the year with an injury. She was the 2nd leading scorer by a tenth of a point, 12 per game and the leading rebounder, 7 per game. This is a huge loss.
Darxia Morris was the leading scorer at 12 per game and hit the most threes although only 29.
Dorenna Campbell averaged 9 points per game.
Nina Earl saw limited action, 10 minutes per game although she contributed more her first two years.
Christina Nzekwe was their only post player with experience, played 13 minutes per game and averaged 2 points and 3 rebounds.
There was also the loss of two excellent recruits when Caldwell left. Center Justine Hartman went to Cal. Hartman is a 6-3 Center who was ranked # 7, 8 and 38 by the three services.
Also signing with the Bruins then getting her release was Sheila Boykin a tough Forward who ended up with Caldwell at LSU. She was ranked # 27, 53 and 63 out of High School.
Returning Players:
Markel Walker is a 6-1 JR Guard/Forward who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. She was All Pac 10 Frosh and a McDonalds All American in High School.
Atonye Nyingifa is 5-11 JR Forward who averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds. She was All Pac 10 Frosh then missed a year with a knee injury.
Rebekah Gardner is a 6-1 Sr Guard who averaged 8 points per game and was 2nd on the team with 23 threes. 23 is a pretty low number but she converted at 35%.
Thea Lemberger is a 5-7 Soph Point Guard who played limited minutes as a Frosh last season. However she could well be the starting Point Guard this season for the Bruins.
Corinne Costa is a 6-4 Soph Center who averaged just 7 minutes per game.
Mariah Williams is a 5-4 or so JR Point Guard who has been a back up Point Guard her first 2 seasons.
Rhema Perry is a 6-1 Soph Forward and Rebekah’s sister.
New Players:
Moriah Faulk is a 5-10 Frosh Guard , ranked # 93 in High School. She should see playing time at both Guard spots.
Kacy Swain is a 6-3 Soph Wing who was ranked 12, 20 and 25. Swain is not a banger but at 6-3 will have to play some inside. She is an excellent shooter from 14-17 feet.
Alexis Perry is a 5-5 Frosh Guard, ranked # 97. Sadly she was recently injured and out for the season.
The Schedule:
UCLA is in the pre season WNIT and if they win their first two games they would play Baylor and if they win would probably play Notre Dame. They also play West Virginia, San Diego State, LSU with Caldwell and Tennessee. The Bruins do not travel to Oregon and Utah and Colorado do play travel to LA.
The Season:
Losing the top three scorers and then two of their top three recruits will really hurt.
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