Pepperdine’s women’s basketball team finished its 2009/2010 season in Provo Utah with a loss to Brigham Young University in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament 62-58.
Waves Head Coach Julie Rousseau has led Pepperdine’s Women’s Basketball program since 2004 and in those six seasons the Waves have never played BYU.
Pepperdine saw post-season play for the first time since 2006 and Rousseau said she believes the recent game against BYU gave Pepperdine’ young team great experience.
“I really am glad we had the opportunity to taste post-season play Rousseau said. [The BYU game was] one of those learning experiences that is going to take us far and I think our kids were excited about the opportunity to play post season.”
Rousseau said she was proud of her team’s performance this season and that they accomplished many of their team goals. Getting a 20-win season making it to the conference tournament championship and making post-season tournament play were among the goals Rousseau and the Waves accomplished.
“When I look at Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 [and] San Diego State— the team that we beat on their home court— is in the Sweet 16 there’s no doubt in my mind that we can be there Rousseau said. But the thought of being there and actually being there are two different things.”
The Waves also succeeded in gaining more support from Pepperdine’s student body this season. Rousseau said the University has done a great job of supporting the women’s basketball team and she hoped Pepperdine would be proud of the tireless effort each player puts into the sport.
Rousseau also talked about the goals for Waves’ 2010/2011 season.
“I think they parallel or are similar to this year Rousseau said. We don’t want to be third in conference we want to win our conference… we want to win the [WCC] tournament and we want to be in the NCAA tournament.”
The team will be losing two seniors this year Miranda Ayim and Taylor Snider. Rousseau said the seniors have both contributed a lot to the program.
With only one returning senior and one incoming freshman Rousseau expects her young team to fill the gaps that will be left by this year’s seniors.
“We are expecting everyone else to step up Rousseau said. I’ve told our kids we are not rebuilding. It’s not a rebuilding year it’s a remolding year. We are revamping it [the program] and we … have many strengths that are returning.”
Rousseau said her team is anticipating doing well next season and that this year was a foundation the program will build on for next year and for seasons to come.
“Making it to the conference tournament championship game is a huge experience and opportunity for us and we are happy but we aren’t content Rousseau said. We feel like we can do better— we know we can— and that’s what this offseason will be about in terms of preparing to do better next year.”
In addition to participating in many big games during the regular season and the post-season Rousseau said this year was beneficial to the program because six of her players had to learn a new defensive scheme and will continue to improve upon it in the next seasons.
“Defense will continue to be our calling card Rousseau said. I think we can be a little more sophisticated and complex with it as well. It will be the foundation of our success… teaching six new kids a new defensive scheme having that under their belt now— we are a step ahead next year.”
Along with defensive play Rousseau also said the Waves are looking to improve their shooting percentage and consistency. The team will return to the Firestone Fieldhouse after only a one-week break since their loss at BYU to begin their offseason practice.
Rousseau believes this spring’s season was a success and that the Pepperdine community should be proud of the program.
“I felt like we had something special we did something special Rousseau said. Twenty-win seasons don’t come every day.
“I want people to expect greatness from us she continued, because when people support you and want you to do well that really is the wind beneath our wings. We expect it from ourselves and we want our university to rally around us and support us in our efforts.”
