When the final buzzer sounded at the end of the game there was a collective cheer and sigh of relief throughout the Firestone Fieldhouse. The Pepperdine women’s basketball team officially opened the books on the 2010-2011 season Friday with a 68-56 statement win over the University of California Santa Barbara. The excitement from the players and coaching staff after the game was evident from the smiles on their faces but the win only serves as a preview for the next several weeks to come.
A revamped roster with three new players along with the return of 11 veterans from last year’s squad that had a winning 20-12 record have expectations higher than ever that are shared among the three newcomers: Robie Mayberry Jade McNorton and Dori Lansbach.
The only high school recruit on the 2010-2011 roster is the 5-foot-11 forward Mayberry of San Leandro Calif. who boasts many accolades from her high school playing days. She led her team to an impressive 27-4 record during her senior season in which she was named All-American Honorable Mention. She averaged 17 points and eights rebounds a game at Bishop O’Dowd High.
Mayberry was put into action early at Pepperdine coming the day after graduation to campus for summer workouts.
“I had to grow up quick Mayberry explained. Leaving my mom and stuff was tough but family keeps me motivated.”
As a forward she has the potential to put up big numbers in the post and on the perimeter.
“Robie can be a great great player here for us Coach Julie Rousseau boasted. She was highly regarded coming out of high school she is our only freshman recruit and she has a high basketball IQ.”
Mayberry is unique in the sense that she had a close tie with the team before ever stepping foot on the hardwood at Firestone Fieldhouse. Junior guard Jazmine Jackson was a former teammate and close family friend. The ability to attend a great academic school and play alongside Jackson was too much for her to pass up.
“Jazmine was a big influence on me coming to Pepperdine Mayberry said. It was a perfect situation to come be here with her. We played AAU together and have been close for a long time. I couldn’t be happier.”
For Mayberry the toughest transition leaving home has been the amount of work she has had to balance on and off the court.
“We practice for three hours every day and we go hard so this has been my biggest adjustment said Mayberry with a grin. But I just keep thinking about our goal to take the WCC beat Gonzaga and I’m all right—plus Coach Rousseau is a great motivator.”
Alongside Mayberry on the newcomer roster is McNorton a 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman from Boise Idaho. A foot injury kept her on the sidelines during her first season at Pepperdine but she is poised to contribute after having a year to become familiar with Rousseau and her system.
“For Jade it was a blessing in disguise to have a year to learn and get familiar with our schemes and to be able to learn from one of the best post players we’ve ever had Miranda Ayim said an excited Coach Rousseau.
Jade is a player who comes from an athletically talented family, with both of her parents playing basketball at Boise State, and cousins that have played in both the NBA and the NFL. McNorton chose not to attend the alma mater of her parents largely because of her experiences with Rousseau.
She is really funny and caring including off the court and it was really important for me to feel comfortable McNorton said.
A talented center, McNorton is expected to make a big contribution this season.
Jade has worked hard coming back from her injury on her footwork and her post game in general Rousseau said. She will be big for us this year.”
Being sidelined for the entirety of last season was tough on Jade but she hasn’t lost excitement for this season.
“My teammates want me to do better and I look to make the All-Freshman team in the WCC and of course win the WCC McNorton said. Sitting out was not easy but I think it will definitely make me better as this season goes on.”
Lansbach the last piece of the puzzle to this year’s team comes by way of transfer from the University of North Florida. The Michigan native found her way to Pepperdine this past summer and should be a good fit with the already talented backcourt.
“Dori is going to have to sit a year but she will fit in just fine with our girls Rousseau said. She is in the sisterhood here.”
Lansbach played in the Atlantic Sun Conference at UNF with nationally recognized programs such as Lipscomb Jacksonville Mercer and last year’s conference champion East Tennessee State. During her only campaign at North Florida Lansbach came off the bench and averaged 2.8 points and 35 percent shooting from the three-point line.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences playing at North Florida but I just felt it was my destiny to play here at Pepperdine Lansbach said. I had been coming to the Malibu Hoops Camp since my junior year so I had a great familiarity and respect for Coach Rousseau and her staff.”
Her transition from UNF to Pepperdine has been described as “very natural and Lansbach feels like she is right at home here in Malibu with the Waves. My teammates are amazing and have been very welcoming Lansbach continued.
The NCAA requires Division I transfers to sit out one year of athletics when transferring, something Lansbach took into consideration before making the move. While it will be difficult for me not to play in the games this season I’m very excited to be on the team and learn a lot through practices.”
As a guard she has always been successful at leading her teams to big seasons since her days as a prep player at Traverse City Central High. Her stellar play earned her a spot in history at TCCHS where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Lansbach is motivated by her peers and believes she can bring a lot to the table for the Waves now in practice and the following year when she is eligible to play.
“I feel my strengths that will benefit the team are my all around physicality endurance and scoring ability from the three- point line as well as getting to the basket Lansbach said.
Collectively, these three ladies all cite a WCC title” as the focus for the upcoming season. “We have a lot of goals every season said Coach Rousseau. But most importantly we want to make sure we are improving every day that way we can achieve them all.”