AIKEN, S.C.--After a disappointing 14-14 season for the Lady Pacers in 2003-04, third-year head coach Mike Brandt is looking forward to his program recovering from its “sophomore slump” and making a run at USC Aiken’s second NCAA Division II Tournament appearance.

The Lady Pacers will open the 2004-05 season this weekend when they participate in the Eighth Annual Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic beginning Friday at 8:30 PM versus #4 Henderson State in Orlando, Fla.
“There is a fine line between the good teams in our conference and the bottom teams,” said Brandt.

“Motivation and a willingness to work hard in practice day in and day out is what will separate the teams in the end. If we work hard and some things go our way, we could be in the top three or four teams, but it will be up to our five seniors to lead us.”

Brandt jokingly admits he thinks more of his returning core of seven players and four newcomers than the rest of the league’s 11 head coaches. USCA was tabbed 10th by the Peach Belt Conference’s head coaches. Armstrong Atlantic State was the narrow favorite over Georgia College & State University by just two points, 106-104. Lander, the defending PBC regular season champions, was third with 102 points.

Last season the Lady Pacers were victims of numerous close, late losses. Ten of the team’s 14 defeats were by seven points or less. That is something that has to change in 2004-05 if the team expects to realize its goals.

“We had high expectations last season, but it was a disappointment. We finished 6-10 in the conference but could have easily been 10-6. We were in every game, but we shot ourselves in the foot and found ways to lose instead of findings ways to win,” said Brandt. “Our number one goal is to find a way to get into the NCAA Tournament and we won’t be satisfied if we don’t make it.”

As a result of those tough lessons learned, however, Brandt sees a strength emerging in his squad. Not only do the seven returning players now have a year of experience in the PBC under their belts, but they have been in those tough, close game situations, and even though they were not successful, the team knows they did not enjoy the feeling.

The biggest loss from last year is an easy question for Brandt to answer. “Sarah Kendrick. We’ll miss her work ethic and her tenacity on defense. She set the tone for us defensively and in intensity. Sometimes that is irreplaceable,” said Brandt. “Not one time in two years of coaching her did I have to tell her to work harder.”

Aside from her leadership on the court, not to mention her 10.1 points per game, Kendrick excelled off the floor. A CoSIDA Academic All-American, Kendrick was named the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Outstanding Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Four newcomers will try and fill the void left by the three vacating seniors including top scorer Erica Larsen (12.0 ppg). Jordon Thomas is the lone freshman and joins Nola Grant, Eboni Speller, and Nichole Bennett as a trio of transfers.

“I’m pleased with the newcomers. They are productive and will contribute to our team and make us better than we were last year,” said Brandt.

Along with four new faces and a new assistant coach, Brandt and the returners will have to adjust to a new primary offense instituted to capitalize on the team’s strength, post play.

With an always difficult slate of 16 conference games, the Lady Pacers’ non-conference contests will make the 2004-05 campaign quite a test for the team. After opening up in the Eighth Annual Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic against fourth-ranked Henderson State, USCA will face Division I Furman University as well as California (PA), the defending national champions and preseason number one team--and all of this before December 4.

GUARDS
The return of Mindy Allee to the point guard position could be the key to the Lady Pacers’ season. The 5-4 sophomore went down in the sixth game of last year with a torn ACL and had to receive a medical redshirt. If she is able to return to near 100 percent, the Lady Pacers would have a true point guard to run the floor, something they missed last year.

“Mindy is a solid contributor who will take care of the basketball, is a good shooter, can penetrate, and will stir things up defensively,” said Brandt.

She averaged 6.2 ppg and 3.0 rpg before getting injured last year.

Kasey Mills will retain her spot as shooting guard. In starting 23 of 28 games last season, the 5-8 senior led the team and ranked in the top 10 in the Peach Belt Conference in three-point accuracy at 38.1 percent. She was second on the team in scoring at 11.0 ppg.

“Kasey needs to be bombs away. When she gets the ball and is open, she needs to shoot it. I also anticipate her trying to get to the free throw line more this season,” said Brandt.

With sophomore point guard Gezel Virella academically ineligible until at least the spring semester and newcomer Nichole Bennett out indefinitely with a late preseason injury, seniors Beata Szabo and Katie Gebhardt along with freshman Jordon Thomas will have to step in and play somewhat out of position to give Allee and Mills a breather.

“Katie needs to shoot when she is open while Beata will have to play to her strengths in order to contribute. If she has a smaller guard matched up with her, she will have to use her 6-2 frame to post up,” said Brandt. “Jordon is a very talented player who can shoot the three, penetrate, or post up. She is one of our most physically strong players and has great hands.”

FORWARDS
Three players will see time at the small and power forward positions. Lana Mandic will be joined by Nola Grant and Eboni Speller. Mandic was fifth in scoring last year at 7.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg. Brandt, however, is expecting a year of experience will help her mature into one of the premier players in the league.

“Lana is an inside-outside player who can shoot the three and post people up, but she needs to be more aggressive and mentally tough,” said Brandt. “Nola is ultra athletic. She can rebound, is a good defender, and should help share some of the scoring load with a 12-15 foot jump shot and penetration.”

POST
Benazura Serbecic returns to create a formidable presence in the paint for the Lady Pacers. Last season, the six-footer was fourth in scoring at 8.5 ppg while leading the team and ranking eighth in the conference in rebounding at 7.6 rpg.

“Bena can be one of the best players in the conference if she plays with top notch intensity on a consistent basis,” said Brandt. “She needs to be a warrior 100 percent of the time.”

Mandic and Grant will see some time at the post as well to provide Serbecic with a break when needed.