Nov. 4, 2005

After posting a 19-11 record and making the post-season WNIT during the 2004-05 season, the SMU women's basketball program is looking to build off last year's success. The Mustangs' perimeter game combined with a strong presence in the paint jumpstarted SMU back to the winning tradition and legacy synonymous with SMU women's basketball.

Now in her 15th year as head coach, Rhonda Rompola feels last season was just a preview of the excitement that will be generated during the 2005-06 campaign. "We have something good going here at SMU," states Rompola. "I do believe that fans across the board will be excited about the potential of our team, and I attribute that excitement to our membership with Conference USA."

This past July, SMU officially joined Conference USA, and this new affiliation gives them the ability to be a part of a more regional league and also aligns SMU with several schools with similar academic and athletic goals. "Part of going to a new conference is learning about the teams, the coaching philosophies, and the styles of play from those teams," says Rompola. "The league as a whole plays more of a transition-brand of basketball. We're going to have to be ready to play and defend the transition game."

Picked to finish third in the Conference USA preseason coaches' poll, the Mustangs will need to be ready come November. SMU will represent Conference USA in the 16-team preseason WNIT and expectations are high to do the league proud. "The WNIT adds immediate prestige," states Rompola. "When you're part of a 16-team tournament to open the season, that says something in itself." SMU was also honored by being selected to host its first-round game vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.

After the WNIT, SMU plays the next four contests at home, beginning with Arkansas after a 10-year break in the series between the two teams. This year's SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic over the Thanksgiving weekend features Denver, Louisiana-Monroe, and Virginia Tech. After a home contest vs. UTA, SMU plays its next three games on the road. Following a game at North Texas, SMU heads east to play at George Washington and Sweet 16 opponent Liberty - both NCAA Tournament teams last season. Prior to the opening of league play on Jan. 2, SMU hosts three games during the holidays (TCU on Dec. 20, UC-Irvine on Dec. 22, and Sam Houston State on Dec. 30). "Our non-conference schedule will be a good measuring gauge for us," states Rompola.

SMU has two prime opportunities to shine during league play with two televised games - one vs. Rice on Jan. 22 and the other at Houston on Feb. 19. The home contest vs. the Owls will be broadcast on ESPN2 while the match-up at Houston will be televised on CSTV.

At the conclusion of the regular season, SMU rolls out its welcome mat to the league and its fans by serving as host for the 2006 Conference USA Women's Basketball Championship, March 2-5, at Moody Coliseum.

With the loss of only one letterwinner, SMU is primed and ready to get down to business. Though youth still reigns up and down the roster, experience gained by last year's freshmen will pay dividends this season. Squad depth and playing time is one of the biggest challenges for Rompola this season, but she's not complaining. "Finding working combinations and playing time for everyone with our depth will be a challenge, but it's a problem that I haven't had the last few years with our squad size as small as it has been due to injuries."

Three seniors grace the Mustang roster as guard Juli Colli, forward Sarah Davis, and guard Kendall Shead are ready to make their final season one to remember.

After breaking her hand after the first game of the season and missing the remainder of the year, no one is more anxious for Juli Colli (Flower Mound, Texas) to have an outstanding season than Rompola. "I hope Juli has one of the best years a player could have," states Rompola. "Her work ethic and leadership on the floor has been missed." Colli sat out the 2002-03 season due to NCAA transfer rules and tore her ACL in the 2003-04 preseason. Her commitment and desire to compete has not faltered during those trying times, and Rompola anticipates the contribution and key role Colli will play this season. "Juli will help our transition game tremendously," says Rompola. "She does a great job of getting down the floor and knows how to create her own shot." Rompola wholeheartedly believes that keeping Colli on the floor will greatly benefit the team.

Forward Sarah Davis' (Houston, Texas) time to break loose is this season, according to Rompola. "Sarah has the experience, the minutes - there is no reason why this should not be her best year." The team's leading shot blocker the last three seasons, Davis is second on the Mustang's all-time career list for blocks (123) and needs 17 blocks coming into this season to become SMU's all-time career shot blocker. Offensively in 2004-05, Davis recorded career-highs in field goals made, attempts, three-point field goals made and attempts, and game point total. Ranked fifth on SMU's all-time career list for three-point field goals made and attempted, Davis combines her range of shot with strong play on the block and in the paint. "Sarah does a great job of moving without the basketball," states Rompola. "She is always cutting and making herself available to the ball."

With three years of running the offense, Rompola's expectations of guard Kendall Shead (DeSoto, Texas) are high. "Kendall needs to bring her 'A' game every game," says Rompola. "With all of the experience that she has accumulated, she will have an outstanding senior year." Shead totaled 143 assists last season - the fourth-most recorded in a single season. She topped the Western Athletic Conference in assists/turnover ratio and was third in steals. The Mustangs' leader in minutes per game, Shead ranks fourth on SMU's all-time list for assists. Named to the DU Wells Fargo All-Classic team, Shead also earned the team's Mustang Award. "I would like to see Kendall be more consistent with her offensive game," states Rompola. "I know she has been working very hard on being more aggressive going to the hoop."

SMU's lone junior, Katie Gross (Austin, Texas), adds a wide range of skills to the Mustang squad. SMU's three-point specialist last season, Gross ranked third in the WAC in three-point field goals made (53). The figure also tied for the third-most recorded in a Mustang single season. She posted career marks in most of the offensive categories in 2004-05, including a team-high point total of 26 points vs. San Diego State. Staying injury-free is key to Gross' success on the court. "Katie is one of the fastest players from endline to endline," states Rompola. "She's a great defensive transition stopper because she gets down the court so well. She can also go to the hoop and rebound."

The Mustang sophomore class consists of six talented players who played significant roles in their debut season at SMU.

Post Brittany Barker (Greenville, Texas) was "one of our best defensive helpers last season," states Rompola. "With her variety of moves, I'd like to see her become more of an offensive threat." "I'd like to see Brittany have more of a presence in the paint. She is strong and we need her to have the confidence down low to be a scorer." Rompola believes her offensive skills will be more evident in 2005-06.

Rompola considers guard Katy Cobb (Rio Vista, Texas) as "one of our go-to players". Cobb recorded 26 starts last season and posted the team's second-highest playing time average (30.5 minutes per game). She topped the team in free throw percentage (83.3%) and dished out 88 assists - the third-most recorded by a Mustang freshman. Named MVP of the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic, Cobb was the recipient of the team's Hustle Award at season's end. "I liked the fact that even as a freshman, Katy wanted the basketball in her hands," says Rompola. Acknowledging the possibility of serving as point guard during the season, Cobb attended "point guard college" to learn the finer points of running an offense. Rompola remarks that in addition to her offense, "Katy has really worked on her defense."

After practicing with the Mustangs and sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, guard Kenzie Cole (Brock, Texas) was ready to make a contribution in 2005-06, only to tear her right ACL in a preseason pick-up game. Cole underwent successful surgery in early September and will utilize this season to rehabilitate her knee. "We will miss Kenzie's three-point shooting and her ability to penetrate to the hoop and finish," states Rompola. "I look for her to come back strong next season."

According to Rompola, there is no question that the redshirt year post Janielle Dodds (Fairfax, Va.) took in 2003-04 helped her tremendously. Not only did Dodds lead the Mustangs in nearly every offensive category, she earned Kodak All-America honorable mention honors - only one of three freshmen in the nation to achieve this honor. The 2005 WAC Newcomer of the Year, Dodds recorded double-figure scoring in all but five games, including 11 double-doubles. She set a number of SMU freshmen single-game and season records, including points scored in a single season and free throws made and attempts. Dodds led the team in rebound average and ranked fifth in the WAC in defensive rebounds. In addition to being named the MVP of the DU Wells Fargo Classic, Dodds collected the team's Offensive Award at season's end. "Janielle has a variety of moves and draws a lot of attention from the opponent," states Rompola.

Guard Joslyn Greenard (Arlington, Texas) proved to be SMU's defensive specialist in her debut year. Averaging nearly 20 minutes per game, she totaled 28 steals and 11 blocked shots. She earned the team's Defensive Award at the end of the season. With 24 starts under her belt, Rompola looks for Greenard to add offense and more rebounds to compliment her defensive skills. "I woule like to see Joslyn have more of a shooter's mentality," says Rompola. "We need her to be a scorer for us."

Sharee Shepherd's (Houston, Texas) strength lies in her transition play. "She's dangerous in transition," says Rompola. Her quickness helped her collect 49 steals - the second-most on the Mustang squad - and averaged nearly four boards per game. "Sharee needs to become more offensive-minded, become a better ball-handler and work on consistency," states Rompola. "If Sharee can become more offensive-minded and more comfortable handling the ball, I believe that would help her overall game."

The incoming Mustang class sports five talented and athletic players and adds more weapons to the SMU arsenal.

A 5-10 guard, Jennifer Colli hails from Flower Mound, Texas, and is the younger sister of current Mustang Juli Colli. A two-time All-District and All-area selection while attending Marcus High School, Colli was a McDonald's All-America nominee and team MVP as a senior. She set the school scoring record in a quarter (25 points) and in a single game (41 points). A BCI All-America selection and member of the AAU Junior Olympic team, Colli's career stats include 19.7 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and shot 82% from the free throw line. "Jennifer is very fast with the ball," says Rompola. "She's a hard-nosed, tough player who will disrupt the opponent's rhythm. She's not afraid to take charges."

A 5-11 guard from Garland, Texas, Elbie Gates is a four-time All-District 11-5A first team selection and was named to the TABC 5A All-Region team as a senior. She led the district in points (20.3) and rebounds (9.3) in 2004-05. Named District 12-5A MVP as a junior, Gates also led the district in points and rebounds. She was the recipient of the District's Hall of Fame award in 2005, becoming the first female to do so. "Elbie is deceiving with her moves," says Rompola. "I like her low post game. We will work with Elbie to become more versatile on the perimeter."

Missing the 2005-06 season due to an ACL injury is 5-11 guard Brittany Gilliam (Tyler, Texas), who underwent corrective surgery over the summer. Gilliam is a three-time All-District and All-East Texas team while playing at Tyler High School. She was also named to the All-Region II team twice. MVP of District 12-5A as a senior, Gilliam averaged 22 points per game. She participated in the TABC All-Star game in May, 2005. Look for Gilliam to rebound next season...

A 6-2 forward/post from Georgetown, Texas, Leah Starr attended Georgetown High School where she was a TABC and TGCA All-Star selection in 2005. A two-time TABC 5A All-Region (Region II) selection, Starr was named to the 12-5A All-District team. A McDonald's All-America honorable mention selection in 2005, she was also a TGCA All-State selection. "Leah is a very smart player who's strong and a good rebounder," states Rompola. Her outside shot can also serve as a threat.

Walking on to the Mustang squad this season is 5-7 freshman guard Chelsea Tiner, who comes to SMU from Rockwall, Texas, where she attended Dallas Christian School. A four-time All-District and All-State selection, Tiner was a TABC All-America selection in 2005. The top three-point shooter among private schools, Tiner was named the TAPPS All-Star game MVP. In high school, she averaged 20.2 points, 5,2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 4.6 steals per game. "Chelsea has the ability to shoot the basketball," states Rompola. "She is a shooter who is a major threat from three-point range."

The Mustangs are eager to get the season rolling with a challenging non-conference schedule and a new start in Conference USA. With the return of eight letterwinners and the addition of five players, look for the Mustangs to continue their winning ways in 2005-06