Sept. 29, 2013
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego women's basketball team will open practice for the 2013-14 season on Monday at 2:30 p.m. inside of the friendly confines of the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
San Diego is coming off its third 20-win season in program history, as USD posted an overall record of 22-10 this past season, and reached the second round of the WNIT. This marked the second consecutive season USD notched a postseason win, as the Toreros reached the final four of the WNIT in 2011-12. San Diego also posted a 12-4 conference record, good for a second place finish in the WCC.
With a great mix of returning players, as well as a crop of four outstanding newcomers, USD will have one of the most challenging schedules in program history, as they will square off against six team's that made a postseason appearance last season, including three of their first five opponents.
The Toreros schedule features 15 home games as they try to build off last season's postseason success. Some of the highlights of the non-conference schedule include home games against Arizona State, NCAA Tournament participant's Gonzaga and Idaho, as well as WNIT participant's BYU and Saint Mary's. The Toreros road schedule features a pair of WNIT second round teams in Northern Colorado (Nov. 9) and San Diego State (Nov. 18).
San Diego can also rely on an experienced coaching staff to help get them through this difficult schedule. Head coach Cindy Fisher is in her ninth-year, and two of her assistants, Mary Ann Falcosky and Niecee Nelson, have also been on staff for the past nine years. USD also welcomes back Ashley Ford for her third year on staff, and former Torero Kaila Mangrum makes her return for a fourth season, and second as Director of Basketball Operations. Fisher and her staff have taken the Toreros to new heights, having recorded back-to-back 20-plus wins season over the last two years, including a program-best 26-9 overall record in 2011-12, as USD reached the final four of the WNIT.
The season-opener for the Toreros will be on Nov. 9, as San Diego hits the road to take on WNIT second round participant, Northern Colorado. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (PT) tip in Greely, Colo.
