Oct. 22, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's basketball team opened preparations for the 2004-05 season last Saturday at the Leavey Center. The Broncos return seven letter-winners from a team that ranked as one of the 15 youngest women's basketball teams last season and led the West Coast Conference in three-point field goal shooting percentage.
The returners include senior Quinn Thomas, who set a career record for three-pointers made last season and was named a first team all-WCC honoree. Juniors Kayla Huss and Michelle Cozad, will return after redshirting last season due to injury. Sophomores Ashley Graham and Tori Markey, who both earned spots on the WCC All-Freshmen team, are among seven players who also return for the Broncos.
"Pre-Season conditioning and individual workouts were very productive," third-year head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson said. "I was very pleased with how the returning players arrived to school and the newcomers have stepped in and made an immediate impact. The intensity and determination that the team has put forth has been remarkable. The tone has been set from day one and we will work to continue to move forward each and every day.
"The first few practices have been encouraging," she continued. "Everyone has been focused and on the same page which is a great way to begin the year. Our motto is `higher expectations produce higher results' and we are working to live by this every day. As individuals and as a team, I constantly challenge the players to raise the bar and thus far, they are demonstrating that they are up for the challenge. With the effort level remaining high, we will continue to improve and progress as we prepare for the season."
The Broncos will host two exhibition contests at the Leavey Center prior to the season opener. On Friday, Nov. 5, Santa Clara will host San Francisco State at 7 p.m. On Monday, November 15, the Broncos will take on UC Santa Cruz. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m. as well. Both contests are free to the public.
Season and individual game tickets are on sale and can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling the athletic ticket office at 408-554-4660. A variety of ticket packages are available, including group tickets, team passes and an affordable family plan. Complete pricing and package information is available by clicking here.
Santa Clara will open the regular season at home against Fresno State on Monday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Bento-Jackson will then take her squad to Honolulu, Hawaii, for a tournament November 26-28. The Broncos continue on the road December 3 at rival San Jose State, and then return home for a Sunday, December 5 contest against UC Davis.
A complete schedule can be found by clicking here.
