OTAHKIANS EXPECTING REBOUND SEASON

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen always looks forward to the opening of practice, but he's maybe even a bit more fired up this year.

Arnzen, you see, can't wait to start working toward wiping away the memory of last year's dismal season.

"I'm excited and ready to go," said Arnzen, whose Otahkians will begin practice Saturday, the first day allowable by the NCAA. "We did not have a very good year last year so we're anxious to get back and start again."

Prior to last season, Arnzen had directed the Otahkians to only one losing season in his impressive career, that a 12-14 mark in 1994-95. But last year the bottom fell out as Southeast went 5-21 and finished a last-place 3-15 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

"It's been a long time since the first of March," said Arnzen, who still carries a glittering 272-132 career record as he enters his 15th season with the Otahkians. "We didn't feel very good about what we did. You can never go back and re-do the past, but you can start fresh.

"The one good thing about basketball, or any other sport, there's always a new season."

And Arnzen believes the new season holds some promise for the Otahkians.

"I feel like we have a good group coming back and we recruited some good new players," he said. "We had a good preseason practice. I thought our attitude was excellent. So I'm optimistic."

The Otahkians return their top player from last year in 5-foot-11 senior forward Jamie Koester, who averaged team highs of 15.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and led the squad in virtually every offensive and defensive category.

Dana Hawkins, a 5-11 senior forward, is the second-leading returning scorer at 8.8 points per game.

Sarah Frazier, a 5-7 sophomore guard, is back after averaging 8.7 points per game and being named to the All-OVC freshmen team.

No other returning player averaged more than 4.3 points a contest, which is why Arnzen will be counting on several newcomers.

Point guard figures to be shared by 5-5 sophomore Moneik Campbell, who averaged 4.3 points last season, and 5-5 junior Rusty Sowers, who averaged 15 points and five assists at Johnson County (Kan.) Junior College.

"We like Rusty a lot, and Moneik showed us some good things last year," Arnzen said.

Which leaves the center position, which Arnzen considers to be the Otahkians' biggest question mark. Kim Palmer used up her eligibility after averaging 11.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. Allison Iverson, a 6-3 juco recruit, is not eligible.

Returning at center is 6-2 sophomore ChyAnne Kapitzke, who averaged 2.7 points as a freshmen. Also back is 6-1 redshirt freshman Annie Struve, who missed last season with an injury.

"The middle is a concern for us," said Arnzen. "That's a big key. I think we're in good shape at the other four spots."

Adding depth and also competing for starting berths will be two more key newcomers and several returning players.

Arnzen is counting on 5-9 junior guard/forward Tajuana White, who averaged 17 points and seven rebounds at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

"She'll give us some quickness and an inside scoring threat," Arnzen said.

The other newcomer is the team's only incoming freshman, 5-11 forward Kimberly Nicholson, who averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds in Memphis, Tenn.

Other returning players from a year ago and their scoring averages are 5-8 senior guard Jamie (formerly Wahlert) Neff, 3.8 ppg; 6-foot senior forward Stephanie Faith out of Poplar Bluff, 2.9 ppg; and 5-9 junior twin guards Sherry and Shauna Cook out of Jackson, 1.2 and 1.1 ppg.

The Otahkians open the season Nov. 15 by hosting Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Southeast will also play at Missouri again in addition to spending Thanksgiving in Reno, Nev., for a four-team tournament.

"Our non-conference schedule should be challenging and the OVC will be tough as always," Arnzen said.