2009-10 Women's Basketball Season Preview

The 2009-2010 Trevecca women's basketball team anticipates enjoying "The Climb" during this season. The team isn't simply focused on the end result but also on the joy that comes from the climb to the summit.

"The Climb" theme is partially inspired by the Miley Cyrus ballad of the same name. The lyrics are symbolic of the team's belief about what it will take to be successful throughout this basketball season: "Ain't about how fast I get there/Ain't about what's waiting on the other side/It's the climb."

Trevecca women's basketball coach Gary Van Atta says, "We're not going to focus only on the top of the mountain or end result but on the journey to get there. We want the team to enjoy overcoming the obstacles and celebrating the successes as we mesh into a team. We want the season-long journey that helps us get to the mountain top to be enjoyable. We don't want to spend all season focused so much on the end that the season becomes an afterthought. If we do the little things, work hard, and enjoy the journey, the end result will be the success we covet."

With nine returning players and seven newcomers, the team cannot focus on what it looks like early in the season; instead, it must concentrate on the progress made through a tough schedule. Coach Van Atta knows that the team will learn together and  that, with such an infusion of youth, there might be some growing pains early.

Van Atta says he is looking forward to the journey of developing this team: "This team has already been a fun group to coach in the early preseason workouts. We have maturity and experience on this team, and yet we have such a strong group of newcomers that we have an air of youthful bliss rounding out our team chemistry."

The team has a lot to live up to in holding true to the program's tradition. Trevecca has reached the TranSouth Conference Championship game in three of the last four seasons and has appeared in 10 consecutive NAIA National Tournaments. Two years ago the team reached the NAIA Championship game and finished as the NAIA Runner-up.

Seniors

This year's senior class has a pair of highly successful four-year players. Abby Lawson is a returning first- team NAIA All-American. Two years ago she was named to the NAIA All-Tournament team en route to playing in the national championship game. Van Atta says, "Abby is one of the best athletes in the NAIA and can change the course of a game in a moment's notice." Lawson has added an improved three-point threat which will make her even more of a challenge to defend in the half court offense. Christian Gibson has started every game she has suited up for in her career at Trevecca. Van Atta says, "Christian might be the most underrated player in the TranSouth. She has started since she was freshman and was the point guard on our national runner-up team. She is always able to control our team and get us in a position to succeed. You can call her general, captain, leader-she is all of that for us."

Juniors

Jessica Spencer, Casey Pigue, Angelica Sails, K.C. Van Atta, and Paige McFarlin make up this year's junior class, one that would make up a pretty fair starting lineup all alone. K.C. Van Atta is a returning second team All-TranSouth selection and is on the verge of breaking a number of Trevecca's three-point shooting records. Despite missing seven games last year because of an injury, she is closing in on the 1000-career-scoring mark. Coach Van Atta says, "The bigger the game the better her performance. She has worked to improve her game in all areas over the summer." Angelica Sails did not play the full season last year because of a season-ending injury. Van Atta says, "Gelly had worked her way into the starting lineup when her season ended. She has developed to the point that she's more than a rebounder and a defensive specialist to being a threat offensively as well." Paige McFarlin is a pure shooter who can score effectively facing the basket. Van Atta says, "Paige isn't your prototypical center because she can attack facing the basket or post up. She is a tremendous passing post player."  Casey Pigue is three-point threat and a tenacious defender. Van Atta says, "Casey is one of the toughest players you'll ever find. She not only plays tough, but you'll often see her sliding across the floor after taking a big charge." Jessica Spencer ended the season last year on an exciting note, and the coaching staff is looking for her to contribute this season. Van Atta says, "We expect Jessica to build on her strong showing in some big games last year, including our NAIA Tournament game with Biola. With her pure shooting abilities and defensive abilities, there's no doubt now she can be a factor for us."

Sophomores

The sophomore class is made up of Chelsey Taylor and Shenita Gleaves. Chelsey Taylor will be more of an offensive threat this year. Van Atta says, "Chelsey has led our team in charges taken in the last two years, but this year she'll open some eyes on the offensive end with her improved shooting touch." Taylor doesn't make a lot of mistakes and is a great addition to the team on and off the court. Shenita Gleaves is one of the team's most athletic players. Van Atta says, "Shenita has developed a more aggressive style of play this summer and does a good job at taking people off the dribble." Gleaves plays much bigger than her 5'10" size.

Freshmen

The freshman class, London Elie, Lauren Wasson, Kristin Majors, Destiny Dishman, Anissa Ragland, Rachel Raby, and Bonny Kate Simpkins, is seven strong and is going to add tremendous height and depth to the team this season. London Elie is expected to be an impact player for the Trojans this year. Van Atta says, "London has all the skills you want in a post player, and I'm not sure she has a limit to how good she can become.  She can block shots, rebound, post up, defend, and shoot facing the basket."  Lauren Wasson is a two-time state champ and brings a tenacious defensive mindset to the program. Van Atta says, "Lauren can play more than one position for us and has a multitude of guard skills. She can be a shooter or passer and will defend for us. She has major quickness at the guard spot and is a passer and true jump shooter off the dribble." Destiny Dishman is a good all around basketball player and is a big guard who can shoot the three. Van Atta says, "Destiny can score off the dribble, and as she makes the transition from the difference in speed from the high school game to the college game, she will make an impact in our program." Anissa Ragland is a tremendous athlete who can run the floor extremely well for a player her size. The former McGavock standout can go to the basket and score on the offensive end and block and defend on the defensive end. Van Atta says, "As Anissa gets stronger, she has a chance to be a special player for us at Trevecca." Rachel Raby will provide even more depth at the post position. Van Atta says, "Rachel is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker who can catch and shoot the ball well for a freshman post player." Bonny Kate Simpkins, from Pleasant View, will red-shirt this year in an effort to improve her skills for next season.

As is par for the course, Coach Van Atta has made the preconference schedule an uphill "Climb." Van Atta says, "We have set up a schedule of nice tournaments which will test us early and help bring together our upper and lower classmen before conference season."

A number of ranked opponents and national tournament participants from last year's NAIA Tournament are on this year's schedule. Trevecca will play in NCAA-D2 powerhouse North Georgia's tournament and face nationally ranked opponent Georgetown College at home. Trevecca will travel to Bethany, Oklahoma, to play traditional NAIA-power Oklahoma Christian and seven-time National Champion Southern Nazarene. The team will end its preconference schedule with a trip to Daytona Beach where it will play NAIA and Sooner conference power Wayland Baptist.

The nationally ranked opponents won't stop when the conference season rolls around. The schedule will be full of NAIA Top 25 teams as the Trojans look forward to another year of playing and competing in the NAIA's best women's basketball conference.

The 2009-2010 Lady Trojans is a team that combines experienced players and a number of energetic newcomers. Add in one of the toughest schedules in the NAIA, and this year's edition of the Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team has all the potential to make this a "Climb to Remember."