Nov. 4, 2005

As UTEP enters its fifth year under the direction of Keitha Green, the Miners begin the season with a much more experienced team than a year ago.

Last year, UTEP struggled to find its niche with a group consisting of nine freshmen and sophomores. This year the squad is a year older and a year more experienced. Green's "veteran" team consists of two seniors, six juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.

"Experience is the best thing for us," said Green. "You can't substitute experience." With that experience comes a lot of talent - primarily at the guard spot where sophomore Shalana Taylor returns after one of the more memorable freshman campaigns in school history. The Flint, Mich., native burst onto the college scene with a school-record 144 assists. Her 5.1 assists per game ranked 37th in the nation and fourth among freshmen.

"She had a very good freshman year and gained a lot of experience for a freshman at the point position," said Green. "I think that experience will be beneficial for us this year. She has good speed and she can help us defensively. We are excited that the style we want to play will fit Shalana's style. It's a better fit for her being a transition player. I think she got a better understanding of what it means to be a point guard as the year went along"

Also returning after redshirting last season is junior Ana Valtierra. As a sophomore in 2003-04, she set a UTEP single-season record for three-point proficiency by connecting at 45.2 percent clip. She is one of UTEP's top on-ball defenders who has taken 52 charges and registered 87 steals in her two seasons.

"She's a good decision maker and smart player on the offensive end of the floor. She does all of the little things to make a play happen - setting screens, getting physical, being a good passer and diving on the floor for loose balls," said Green. "She is very disciplined and a very good leader by example. We will look for her to be a defensive stopper, as well as a help defender. She's in great shape and, yes, she was out for a year but it doesn't feel like she was."

Junior Jonna Launiainen has played in 54 games and is one of the team's top outside shooters - having made 50 three-point shots in her career. The Kotka, Finland, native has also gotten stronger each year in El Paso.

"We would like for her to focus on being a good scorer for us," Green explained. "Jonna has gotten strong and is in great shape. She played a lot as a freshman and sophomore and has quite a bit of experience under her belt and that can only help our team."

One of two seniors on the roster, Erica Yancey enters her second year with the program after transferring from Penn Valley Community College. She gained valuable experience coming off the bench in 19 games.

"She had a very good summer and slimmed up a bit. She worked hard in the offseason. She's one of our purest shooters. We are going to do a better job of going to her strength and bring out what she is good at. I think last year she took a great attitude in the fact that as a junior college transfer, last year was a learning experience and in the offseason she worked on being a better player.

Sophomore Kasia Krezel appeared in all 29 games and made 10 starts as a true freshman. Her 7.7 points per game ranks third among returnees and her 49 steals led the squad. "Our style of play this year will fit her style of play better than what we did last year," Green said. "I think a positive is last year she played quite a bit for a freshman and she has a better understanding of Division I basketball. Last year was a change for her across the board - culture, school, language, basketball - everything. She also had a great summer for the Polish national team."

Newcomers Carly Hawkins, Tay Hester and Whitney Thornton should be able to provide added depth at all three guard spots.

Hawkins, who averaged 18.1 points and shot 47.4 percent from behind the arc at Stow-Munroe Falls High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, can play the point or shooting guard. Hester averaged 16.5 points and 6.2 rebounds as a senior while leading Perris (Calif.) High School to a berth in the CIF Division II tournament. Thornton is a transfer from Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Ill., where she averaged 16 points, 11 boards and six steals as a sophomore.

"Carly is a smart player who shot the ball quite a bit in high school and she get us in our offense well," Green said. "With Tay, one of the first things that comes to mind is that we would like her to be a defensive stopper. She's got great athleticism and has a very versatile game on offense. Whitney can play guard and small forward. She can score inside and outside. We can post her up or have her shoot it."

Frontcourt
Charnette Phelps returns after scoring 433 points as a freshman and sophomore. She will be looked upon to score and rebound at a high rate.

"She can play both the four and five for us and has really grown and matured over the years," commented Green. "The thing we have asked of her is to be our double-double player. Last year, when we got double-doubles, we did very well."

Sophomore center Izabela Piekarska also saw significant playing time while backing up Marta Dydek. At 6-5, Piekarska gives the Miners good size inside and possesses a solid outside shooting touch.

"She gives us an offensive presence inside and she's a good shooter," Green said of the Poland native. "We will let her shoot from the outside some. We need for her to be solid on defense. She is being more physical this year than last year."

Senior Ingrid Goslin is set to begin her fourth year under Green - as she becomes just the second player to do so at UTEP. Goslin has battle various ailments throughout her career but has some of the softest hands on the team.

"We have to have her healthy if we want to do well," said Green. "We need for her to give us an added presence inside with some solid post production. She has good hands and is solid around the basket."

Chemeka Amos, Busayo Ayodele and Monika Carrasco will also push for playing time in the frontcourt.

Amos averaged 13 points and seven rebounds at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla. last year. Ayodele, who is relatively new at playing basketball with just over three years under her belt, averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds at St. Basil-the-Great College School in Toronto, Ontario. Carrasco is a junior walk-on who has appeared in six career games.

"Chemeka is one of our best athletes who has an unbelievable vertical jump and she can set picks and post up as well," said Green. "This will be a big transition year for Busayo. We are working hard with her on her fundamentals. She'll play inside and we want her to bring a great work ethic to practice everyday. Monika is great for our team because she works hard and has a great attitude. She pushes herself and her teammates every day. She has good endurance and we expect her to keep working hard and getting better."