SPOKANE, Wash. - For the first time since the last time Whitworth University challenged for a Northwest Conference women’s basketball title, the Pirates return a team brimming with experience and confidence. Each of the last two seasons Whitworth has had to replace virtually its entire starting lineup, and the results showed in the final NWC standings. But for the first time since the 2004-05 season, the Pirates are returning four starters and hope to improve on last season’s 14-11 overall record and 8-8 mark in the NWC.

Head coach Helen Higgs believes that the experience from last season will play big dividends this season.

“Last year inconsistency cost us a lot when we got into conference play,” said Higgs, who is entering her 14th season as head coach of the Pirates. “To be successful in this league we need to bring the same mental focus, defensive intensity and offensive execution every night. I believe our experience will help us do that.”

Not only do the Pirates return four starters, they have four other players back who provided significant minutes off of the bench last season.

“We are deeper than we’ve been the past several years,” said Higgs. “That depth, combined with greater chemistry and cohesiveness in the group, will make us a stronger team.”

The depth and experience begins in the back court. Point guard Cassie Snyder (5-6, Sr., Spokane, Wash.) and off-guard Teresa Zeitler (5-7, Sr., Medical Lake, Wash.) are returning starters. Both Leah Pomante (5-4, So., Colbert, Wash.) and Molly Schlander (5-8, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) provided significant minutes off of the bench.

Amanda Burnside (5-4, So., Duvall, Wash.) appeared in six games for the Bucs last season, and the addition of Johanna Sai (5-6, Fr., Honolulu, Hawaii – Kamehameha) gives Whitworth great depth at both guard positions this winter.

The Pirates also return both starting forwards from last season. Alida Bower (5-9, Jr., Onalaska, Wash.) was a Second Team All-Northwest Conference selection last season and led Whitworth in scoring (13.6 ppg). Natalie Orrell (5-8, So., Wenatchee, Wash.), the other returning starter at forward, led the NWC in three point percentage (.604) while averaging 10.4 points per contest.

Forwards Tiffany Corigliano (5-10, Jr., Nine Mile Falls, Wash.) and Jamie Scott (5-10, Jr., Tacoma, Wash.) gave Higgs great contributions off of the bench last season. Courtney Gaddis (5-10, Fr., Honolulu, Hawaii – Kalani) is a newcomer who could make an immediate impact this season.

Shaundra Johnson (5-11, Sr., Onalaska, Wash.) is the only returning post player with any experience, as she appeared in five games last season. Corigliano is capable of moving into the post as well.

But newcomers Liz Horiatis (5-10, Fr., Woodinville, Wash. – Woodinville) and Keilah Fanene (5-9, Fr., Seattle, Wash. – Evergreen) have been strong in practice and will push for significant playing time in the post, according to Higgs.

“With our depth, we should be strong on both ends of the floor this season,” said Higgs. “Our defense will be improved and I think we will have fairly balanced scoring again this season.”

The Pirates will open the season on November 17th against Baruch (N.Y.) at the University of Chicago Midway Classic. The non-conference schedule will include a mix of NCAA Division III games and contests against tough NAIA competition. Whitworth’s first home game will be November 20th against NAIA Lewis-Clark State (Idaho).

The Bucs will begin Northwest Conference play on January 4th and 5th against Linfield and Willamette, respectively. The following weekend Lewis & Clark and Pacific will visit the Whitworth Fieldhouse in the conference home-opening weekend.

Whitworth was picked fourth in the 2007 NWC coaches preseason poll.