Griffins are hoping solid start leads to a breakthrough season

Don't look now, but Westminster's women's basketball team is making a run at a winning season. In the past, most of the hoopla has gone to the men's team. But after a 10-4 start, the women's team has surprised everyone, including its coach.

"We really didn't know what to expect this year," said Griffins coach JD Gustin.

The team lost NAIA all-American center Shalee Fackrell to graduation and a couple of prize recruits went elsewhere. But the Griffins went on a roll after losing 81-66 to Eastern Oregon on Nov. 17. The team has managed to win seven of eight games, including its last five. The women punctuated the streak with an 82-73 victory over new in-state rival Dixie State, sweeping the Rebels in the home-and-road series.

Despite the good nonconference record, Gustin isn't about to put any extra pressure on the team by heightening expectations.

"We're just going to go out and play," he said. "I think if you start looking ahead, you run into trouble."

No question, the Griffins are proud of their good start and attribute some of that success to the team's good camaraderie.

"This team, by far, is the most fun I've ever had playing ... and I think team chemistry has a lot to do with it," guard Elisa Leader said.

Joining Leader in the backcourt is running mate Shannon Evans. The sophomores are both averaging nearly 16 points per game, and they've combined to knock down 56 3-pointers. Evans was also named the conference player of the week on Dec. 5.

Senior Alicia Haberle is also dangerous from the outside. She's converted 26 3-pointers this season, making the Griffins a very dangerous team from the outside.

Six-foot senior Janae Hirschi is somewhat undersized for a center, but is a hard worker, often outhustling opponents to the ball. She leads the team in rebounding (81) and is the third leading scorer, putting up 10 points a game.

Jordan Eckman is the other starter down low. At 5-foot-10, the senior from Seattle plays bigger than she is. Eckman is averaging seven points and four rebounds a game.