By Francisco Claudio

 

As the weather changes in Southern California and we begin to transition into indoor sports, we get ready for the Westcliff women's basketball team, set to start their official season in one week.

 

The Warriors are determined to prove themselves this season after being unsatisfied with how the last two years have ended.

 

Mind you, they had two really good seasons that entailed playing in the Cal Pac Championships final one year and the semifinals the next.

 

But the Warriors are always striving to grow and are loaded with veterans who've been there before and are ready to run it back this year. 

 

They've gone through intense training and practices leading up to this point, and now it's time to see all the sacrifices pay off.

 

"We had a great summer and fall thus far, really trying to make sure the culture is set and bringing the team together in a lot of different ways, including our team retreating up in Lake Arrowhead," said Head Coach Kyle Rouse. "We are well aware of the importance of inclusion, celebrating all roles, and making sure the program's 'vibe' and culture are strong as we set to start a new season that we know will bring challenges and adversities. 

 

"We know the importance of staying together through difficulty and we will rely heavily on our experience and leadership with many seniors to help in those areas. The returners have done a great job setting the tone from the beginning in the summer making sure everyone coming in new, understands the goals and the work ethic it's going to take to reach those goals. Looking forward to seeing these relationships progress through the season."

 

Westcliff fans will be happy to see familiar faces when the first whistle blows because the three captains of the team who are now seniors are Eva Taylor, Katie Nguyen, and Valisa Millhouse.

 

Last year, Taylor had some of the most impactful performances when it mattered the most for the Warriors.

 

Taylor averaged 11.4 ppg while shooting 41% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. She started in 23 games and averaged 30.5 minutes on the floor.

 

Nguyen started in all 26 games that she played and averaged 5.5 ppg, on 46% from the field, and 36% from three-point. She was the second-leading rebounder for the team with 6.2 rebs.

 

Millhouse was the third-leading scorer for the Warriors with 9.1 ppg. She added 4.6 rebs and 2.6 assists per game.

 

"Our captains were selected by their teammates and definitely have some great qualities in all three of them," Rouse said. "All three started every game they were healthy for last season. Besides on the court, they are great in the classroom and are great mentors for the younger classmen and newcomers. They were chosen to lead because they all balance each other out, they are vocal and do the right thing even when it's not the most popular thing. 

 

"Lastly, they are very passionate and want to make sure they get the best out of everyone in our program."

 

Some more returners who played last year include Neyha Lali, Polina Kovaleva, Duna Regalado, and Janelle Ramos.

 

Lali averaged 6.7 ppg while shooting 43% from the floor in 21 minutes of playing time.

 

Kovaleva averaged 4.4 ppg while shooting 37% from the field and 36% from three-point.

 

Regalado averaged 3.6 ppg while shooting 48% in 14 minutes of playing time.

 

Ramos scored 5.4 ppg on 45% efficiency and made sure to grab 5.6 rebs per game.

 

The core of the Warriors is intact and they will be hungry to use last year's results as motivation to go that extra step this time.

 

As many might remember, the team was one game away from competing in the championship game for back-to-back years.

 

"The returners definitely have a chip on their shoulders from last season, they're expectation and goal is to be in the same situation as last season with a chance for a conference title and berth in the national tournament," Rouse said. "Our goal as a coaching staff is to come together and keep progressing on the court to be sure our best basketball will be played when it counts."

 

But the Warriors are also very excited for the newcomers and those who weren't able to play last year.

 

They've added graduate senior Jalen Long, freshman Akilah Kubi, Brittlay Carillo, Kayleen Vasquez, Tobi Noyer, Morgan Higgins, and returner Camryn McMahan who didn't play last season.

 

Westcliff finished with an overall record of 16-12 and a Cal Pac Conference record of 12-8 last season.

 

Besides their conference opponents coach Rouse made sure to schedule strong non-conference opponents to test his team and prepare them for the postseason.

 

Well, this year is no different because the Warriors will continue that tradition and play against some very strong schools.

 

"We always pride ourselves in making sure we play a very tough non-conference schedule to get us prepared for the conference and hopefully the national tournament," Rouse said "This year is no different because our first two games are up at William Jessup to play Jessup and Menlo who are consistently near the top of the GSAC and are usually in the national tournament as well. 

 

"We also will be playing Westmont who is always top 10 in the country, and adding in Biola a solid D-2 team as well as San Diego State for a good D-1 matchup to test us."

 

As the team enters its third year in the Cal Pac Conference, it feels like things are falling into place after overcoming the challenges of the first two years.

 

Coach Rouse is happy with the way the team has rallied together and has bought into the game plan set forth this season. 

 

"As of now some of the things that stick out are our unselfishness and the ability to realize the importance of needing everyone to reach our goals," Rouse said. "Starter, off the bench, and role player, all of whom are just as important and responsible for us to get there as a team in February and March.

 

"The next piece is the difference in our 'vocalness' from last year. Our senior leadership is setting a great example encouraging everyone to be vocal and making sure everyone knows the importance of communication to ensure the whole team is on the same page."

 

And above everything else, this team feels like a family ready to fight for each other.

 

Head Coach Rouse has surrounded this team with the right staff who genuinely care for the student-athletes, and want to see them succeed on and off the court.

 

There is Associate Head Coach Mary Dishoian, Assistant Coach Bailey Johnson, Assistant Coach Seionne Landren, Basketball Operations Manager Dionte Walker, Assistant Coach and Digital Media Personnel Japhe Pleasant, and Graduate Assistant Lana Skripkina. 

 

Oh yes, this program is stacked on the court and off with talented people who share the same love for the sport and have come together with a similar goal in mind, a chip.

 

So you better believe that those veterans and experienced players have a chip on their shoulders because it's their time to shine and their time to bring one home.

 

Westcliff's first game will take place on Thursday, November 2nd, as they participate in the Jessup Tournament. 

 

The first game against a Cal Pac Conference opponent will be November 30th, when they travel down south to go up against Cal Maritime.

 

The first home game for the Warriors won't be played until December 5th and it will be against conference opponent USK.

There will be plenty of basketball to follow along this season so make sure you show your support and come to a Warrior home that is played at the Jordan Lawley gym in Irvine, California.