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The much-anticipated first year of head coach Lindsey Wilson's tenure kicks off this Friday when the Sunbirds host #6 Western Washington in the 2013 West Region Crossover Classic at the FPU Events Center at 5:30 p.m.

The 2013-14 year marks a new season and a new start for a Fresno Pacific Women's Basketball program hoping to turn the page on one of the toughest seasons in team history after posting a 4-21 record (4-14 PacWest) in the 2012-13 season, the Sunbirds' first in the NCAA.  It will take a mix of old and new faces and a revamped scheme on both sides of the court as the Sunbirds work to rebuild.

Wilson and the Sunbirds will have to navigate a brutal non-conference schedule that features four games against 2013 NCAA Tournament teams, starting with national semi-finalist Western Washington, and a team picked to finish ahead of them in the GNAC, Seattle Pacific.

"The schedule is definitely going to be tough to start the year," said Wilson. "But, it is going to be a good test for us to see what it takes to be a top program in the country, because that is where we want to be."

The Roster

Senior leadership will be a key for FPU who has six of them, all of whom were with the program last season, returning for their final year. Senior forwards Breana Buczek and Brandi Blackwell will be counted on this season for contributions on the scoreboard, but also on the glass. Buczek finished 15th in the conference last season in offensive boards, a category the Sunbirds must improve in as a team in order to be successful.

"Brandi has been great so far in the preseason," said Wilson. "She has been the most improved on the court in training camp and going into our first game. Breana Buczek is going to be big for us with her versatility. She can play so many different positions for us from the two through the five."

Sophomore Charde Stevens will also help hold down the fort in an undersized frontcourt. The redshirt sophomore led the team in rebounds last season with 6.6 per game, just over four of which came on the defensive end.

Patrice Saindon makes her return to the blue and orange after spending one season with Humboldt State in 2011-12. Saindon gives the Sunbirds a wealth of experience and solid decision-making abilities to a deep point guard spot that also includes junior Jenay Herring.

"Having Patrice at the point guard position has been great," said Wilson. "She has a lot of maturity, that we need, which has been great with this being her fifth year."

Herring returns to the court after suffering a season ending injury in the first conference game of the year. During her All-American sophomore season she averaged 16.2 points and 5.4 assists per game, leading the team in both categories. Herring's return means an added offensive punch to a team that finished eleventh in the conference last season in scoring offense.

FPU will also look to junior guard Keairra White who returns after leading the team in scoring. White, a preseason all-conference selection this season, was forced into the point guard roll much of last season after injuries that plagued the Sunbirds left the Sunbirds searching for a spark. Her 18.2 points per game finished second in the conference last season.

Seniors Sienna Gonzales and Callie Rohrbacker provide a lethal three-point attack in the backcourt and senior Ashley Bonenfant will give the Sunbirds added depth at the point.

"All of our returners are going to be big this year. With a lot of freshman it is going to be so important for us to be able to lean on the girls that have played so many minutes at this level," said Wilson. 

Wilson brings in a large recruiting class, despite her arrival in late spring, which should contribute right away for the Sunbirds. Freshman Bree Alvarez and junior Jazmine Simpson headline a class that includes almost all local products.

Alvarez averaged 16.8 points, 3.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 4.2 steals per game during her final season of basketball at Lemoore High School. She was a three-time First Team All-League selection for the Tigers. Her offensive skills could make her a big contributor for the Sunbirds this season.

"She is going to come in immediatly and have a huge impact for us," said Wilson. "She does so many things on the offensive end that are going to help us this season."

Simpson joins FPU after playing the last two seasons at Fresno City College where she was a part of two undefeated conference seasons and two state Final Four appearances. Her athleticism on both ends of the floor should make an impact right away for the Sunbirds.

"Jazmine comes from successful programs, knows what it takes to be a winner and wants to be a winner here," said Wilson. "She is a great addition, especially with her athleticism."

Joining Alvarez and Simpson are twin freshmen Brooke Vidmar and Brandy Vidmar from Clovis West, freshman Abrina Salas from Kings Christian and junior Brinae Duren who last played for Fresno City.

"All of our new kids have been great," said Wilson. "They are going to give us a lot of depth where we won't see a big drop off when we have to substitute."

With a new offensive and defensive scheme to acclimate to, Coach Wilson knows the transition will be a process, but one that is made easier by the impressive work ethic her team has showed in the early preseason. 

"I think their work ethic has been great, and it has really impressed me," said Wilson. "This team is a lot better than the four wins they had last year. They do a lot of really good stuff on both ends of the court. I think defensively we have to get a lot better and it will come. This whole experience is going to be a process for our team."

Matchups to Watch

Nov. 8 vs. #6 Western Washington, 5:30 p.m.

While it may be the toughest game on the Sunbirds' schedule this season, it will mark a number of firsts for Fresno Pacific. It will be Coach Wilson's first game at the helm of the program as she begins the quest to take this team to its first winning season since 2006-07 when the Sunbirds finished 18-12. It will also be the first time the Sunbirds have played a top-10 NCAA opponent. The Vikings are coming off a Final Four appearance at the NCAA Tournament last season in which they lost to eventual champ Ashland.

Dec. 7 vs. Dixie State, 2:30 p.m.

The Sunbirds will welcome the return of former assistant coach Jenny Thigpen who is now the head assistant for new head coach Catherria Turner at DSU. Dixie defeated the Sunbirds twice last season including an 87-64 loss in Fresno on December 8.

Dec. 16 at Azusa Pacific, 5:30 p.m.

In their only meeting of the season FPU will travel to Azusa to take on their biggest rival in Azusa Pacific. The Cougars have won nine straight over the Sunbirds dating back to 2008-2009 when the Sunbirds pulled off the upset win in Fresno 66-61. 


Previewing the PacWest

2013-14 Preseason Women's Poll – Points (1^st Place Votes)

1. Academy of Art – 159 (6)
2. Azusa Pacific – 145 (3)
3. California Baptist – 140 (2)
4. Hawai'i Pacific – 139 (2)
5. Dixie State – 117
6. Point Loma – 112
7. Hawai'i Hilo – 94
8. Holy Names - 60
9. BYU-Hawaii & Notre Dame de Namur – 54
11. Fresno Pacific – 52
12. Dominican – 39
13. Chaminade – 18

2013-14 - Preseason All-PacWest Team

• Kelly Hardeman – Azusa Pacific (Preseason Player of the Year)
• Regina Camera – Academy of Art
• Callie Rhoads – Point Loma
• Skye Savini - Hawai'i Pacific
• Sha'Nice Storey – Academy of Art
• Brydgette Tatupo-Leopoldo – BYU-Hawaii
• Keairra White – Fresno Pacific