Everything is new again as Rissmiller era begins at Pacific

11/14/2007 4:15 PM - article care of Blake Timm - Pacific University

-Women's Basketball-

2007-08 Season Preview

FOREST GROVE - A new coach, new players, a new system, a new offense and a new outlook on the game.

Head Coach Sharon Rissmiller has brought in a lot of new things for her first year with the Pacific women's basketball program. She brings a new system of play best suited to the Boxers' small lineup. She has brought in a number of new players with connections to her former job at Tacoma Community College.

Most importantly, however, Rissmiller has brought a sense of belonging in combining the Boxers' seven returners and everything that is new.

"I am pleasantly surprised," Rissmiller said. "This is a group of young ladies that have come together from the very beginning. They started conditioning together in the fall and really held each other responsible for working hard and putting in extra time, and it¹s showing now. The team camaraderie is very apparent. I am just pleasantly surprised with where we are at this point."

Coming together will be essential to return the Boxers back to their former glories as a power program in the Northwest Conference. The Boxers can only build after winning only eight games in each of the last two seasons and finishing last in the conference for only the second time in school history.

To move up, however, Rissmiller will have to overcome a lack of size. The Boxers once again are a guard-heavy group with only two players standing taller than 5-foot-7. To make up for their size, Rissmiller plans to take advantage of the team¹s speed, employing a run-and-gun style of offense that will keep the tempo fast paced.

Being fast paced will not mean just settling for the outside shot, but using that speed to create opportunities in the paint. "I was worried that, because of our size, we were only going to settle for the three-point shot," Rissmiller said, "but they have done a nice job of looking into our post players and also penetrating the lane and attacking the basket. It¹s a very versatile group that has a lot to offer other than just settling for outside shots."

Rissmiller is confident that her system of play best fits her players' abilities and will translate into more wins for the Boxers, but she is smarter than to pin the team to a certain target number of victories. She is more interested in improvement and laying the cornerstone for the Boxers' next dynasty.

³The success of this season isn¹t going to be based upon wins and losses. Every great program starts somewhere," Rissmiller said. "This is the start and foundation of building something I think will be truly great."

GUARDS
While the Boxers are truly a guard-heavy group, Rissmiller divides the group into two categories: guards and wings. The Boxers will rely on a returner and two junior transfers to drive the program from the frontcourt.

Mallory Goldammer (So., Beaverton, Ore.) returns for her second season after seeing spot starting time as a freshman. Goldammer played her way into a starting role early in the year and then became a relied-upon contributor off of the bench. The team's most fundamentally sound player, according to Rissmiller, Goldammer will be especially relied upon for her defensive abilities.

"She is one of our best defenders," Rissmiller said. "We're looking for her to help lead the team defensively. In addition, she can shoot outside and has a good understanding of the offenses. She has picked up on those quickly to help direct her teammates on the floor."

Christine Kim (Jr., Federal Way, Wash.) will contribute at both point guard and shooting guard, but will best benefit the Boxers with her shooting ability. Kim was a NWAACC All-West Division selection in 2006 after averaging 10 points per game for Highline CC. Kim transferred to Pacific in 2006, but sat out the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

"I coached against Christine when she was at Highline, so I already knew what an offensive threat," Rissmiller said. "She can hurt opponents with her shooting accuracy. She¹s just a solid guard and I am excited to be coaching her instead of against her."

Kalei Frank (Jr., Federal Way, Wash.) will handle the bulk of the point guard duties after playing the same position for Rissmiller at Tacoma CC over the last two years. Frank played a key role in the Titans' run to the NWAACC Tournament, averaging 8.8 points and 3.3 assists per game. Frank was named both years to NWAACC All-Star teams, including a first team selection in 2007.

Where Frank benefits the Boxers most is in already knowing Rissmiller's system and being able to run it effectively with her new teammates. "She already understands my leadership style and coaching style and what I expect from the team," Rissmiller said. "She's been able to be a good liaison as a team leader and running the program on the floor."

WINGS
The Boxers' most experienced player will once again be looked to as the team's biggest scoring attack. Amy Pedersen (Sr., Redlands, Calif.) earned Honorable Mention All-NWC honors last year after ranking eighth in the conference in both scoring (11.3 points per game) and rebounding (6.3 rebounds per game). Pedersen scored in double figures in over half of the team¹s 24 games.

Rissmiller is impressed by Pedersen's ability to create opportunities to score in difficult situations. "She just continually surprises me," Rissmiller said. "She finds a way to get by people, and take good shots even when she is triple teamed. There¹s no limitation to what Amy can do."

Trixy Miller (Jr., Hilo, Hawaii) completes a trio of talented junior college transfers and will be depended upon for her scoring ability. Miller played a key bench role in Everett CC's run to the NWAACC North Division championship. "She has a nice outside shot and she can attack the basket and finish," Rissmiller said. "She¹s strong enough where she can take a hit and still finish, which is what we need to be able to do with such a small team."

POSTS
Pacific will rely upon a consortium of three post players to hold things in check on the blocks. Kristina Stevens (Sr., Baker City, Ore.) enters as the most experienced of the three and will have to fill a hole left by Kaela Zarkovich, who elected not to play this season due to injuries.

Stevens saw some post starts when the Boxers needed a big lineup against teams. She averaged 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and has the potential to be more potent if the team can take advantage of her finesse style of play.

"Kristina has great footwork around the basket," Rissmiller said. 'She's not exceptionally big, but her speed, athleticism and her ability to handle the ball and make a move will be a challenge for opponents to defend."

Jenna Archibald (So., Gearhart, Ore.) and Ashley Bellamy (Jr., Siletz, Ore.) will see playing time as well at the post. Archibald appeared in 19 games as a freshman, while Bellamy made 15 appearances as a sophomore.

Pacific University Women's Basketball
2007-08 Roster
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr./Elig. Hometown (Previous School)
10 Mallory Goldammer G 5-5 So./So. Beaverton, Ore. (Southridge)
12 Kalei Frank G 5-6 Jr./Jr. Federal Way, Wash. (Tacoma CC)
14 Kayla Akers G 5-5 So./So. Richland, Wash. (Hanford)
15 Christine Kim G 5-5 Sr./Jr. Federal Way, Wash. (Highline CC)
20 Holly Saito G 5-5 Jr./So. Honolulu, Hawaii (St. Andrew's Priory)
21 Trixy Miller G 5-6 Jr./Jr. Hilo, Hawaii (Everett CC)
22 Jenna Archibald F 5-10 So./So. Gearhart, Ore. (Seaside)
24 Megan Kamehiro G 5-5 Fr./Fr. Honolulu, Hawaii (Kalani)
31 Kristina Stevens P 5-11 Sr./Sr. Baker City, Ore. (Baker)
32 Molly Mahan G 5-4 Fr./Fr. Homer, Alaska (South Anchorage)
33 Ashley Bellamy P 5-7 Jr./Jr. Siletz, Ore. (Toledo)
44 Amy Pedersen G 5-7 Sr./Sr. Redlands, Calif.(Redlands East Valley)

Head Coach: Sharon Rissmiller (1st Season/1st Season Overall) Assistant Coach: Tara Podpah (1st Season)