The women of the UBC T-Birds basketball team may not have the top talent in the country, as they did when they won three CIS Championships from 2004 to 2008. But they refuse to go down without a fight. After a difficult season last year, losing three starters, including their top two scorers, they still managed to go 10–2 in the second half of the season and beat out the Victoria Vikings in the first round of the playoffs.

Head coach Deb Huband is optimistic that her young team, which included six rookies last year, will be able to make significant improvements in 2009/2010.

“We gained momentum last year in the second half of the season and showed a lot of improvement and development as a young team last year. We are continuing to build and refine what we are doing, so we expect to be more competitive earlier this season.”

So far the team has already come out strong, beating Trinity Western in their home opener and Huband is looking to third year forwards Zara Huntley and Alex Vieweg to continue to move the team forward.

Despite the fact that both players had a successful season last year—Huntley was second on the team in scoring with ten points per game and Vieweg ended up third on the team—Huband is looking for more from both players this season.

“They are still young. They are in  third year so this is the year they are expected to make bigger strides,” explained Huband.

“Now is their opportunity to take their experience and move it forward in being consistent performers for us.”

A healthy Devon Lisson is another player Huband is looking at to play a leadership role for the young team. After averaging 8.5 points per game and second on the team in steals in 2007–2008, a devastating ACL injury slowed her down last season. Fighting back from her second ACL injury, Lisson showed improved form this preseason.

“She has been tremendous offseason, she has come back physically stronger, mentally stronger and her leadership skills are there,” she said.

Despite Huband’s optimism and belief in the strength of her players, the T-Birds will have to find a way to make up for the loss of all-star post player Leanne Evans. Evans, the CIS 2009 Defensive Player of the year who was second in the league inrebounds, has created a void in the T-Birds’ defensive line with her departure.

“I think two things that Leanne brought that we need to address as a team is her ability to be a shot blocker in the final rotation of our defence—an intimidating factor for players,” Huband said.

“And the other part is the rebounding. Leanne did a great job rebounding offensively and defensively for us. It’s not just one person that is going to step up and fill the void left by Leanne. It’s centred in improvements as a group. It’s a team effort,” she added.

With the newly recovered Lisson as well as the potential of young leaders Huntley and Vieweg, not to mention the addition of stand-out rookies Erika Vieweg, Tori Spangehl and the return of forward Lia St. Pierre, Huband is confident in her team’s ability not only to fill the void left by Evans, but excel in their own right.

However, with the defending national champions from SFU and the challenging UVic Vikes in the same Pacific division, the team is going to have to come together and play consistently all season if they hope to contend.

“We know we play in the toughest conference in the CIS. But I think that prepares you well for playoffs,” said Huband. “I think that is one of the reasons that Canada West schools have been dominating the CIS for so many years and why we’ve been bronze baby for as many years as we have.”

With a more experienced team and core leadership group, the T-Birds look as if they are ready to reclaim their title as division championship; the bronze baby of the division is ready to go for gold.

2008/2009 Recap

Regular Season: 13–10.

Playoffs: 2–2.

Standing: 3rd in the Pacific Division, lost in the Divisional Finals.

Key Stat: Of UBC’s five losses to SFU, four of them were less by 10 points.

2009/2010 Preview

Returning players: 9/12.

Offensive Star: Sophomore Zara Huntley averaged ten points a game last season while playing only 22.8 minutes per game.

Defensive Star: Candace Morisset led UBC with 58 steals, good for 10th in the conference.

Schedule:
Nov. 7 vs. SFU 6pm
Nov. 13 vs. Saskatchewan, 6pm
Nov. 14 vs. Alberta, 6pm
Nov. 19–20 @ Thompson Rivers, 6pm
Nov. 27 @ Winnipeg, 6pm
Nov. 28 @ Manitoba, 6pm
Jan. 8 vs. Regina, 6pm
Jan. 9 vs. Brandon, 6pm
Jan. 15–16 vs. Fraser Valley, 6pm
Jan. 22 @ Lethbridge, 6pm
Jan. 23 @ Calgary, 6pm
Jan. 30 @ SFU, 5pm
Feb. 5–6 vs. Victoria, 6pm
Feb. 13 vs. TWU, 6pm

—All game times local.
Home games available on CiTR 101.9 FM