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Show B8 MONDAY*NOVEMBER 7-2005 once /eo/on preview Lady hoopsters look to build a subpar year Morgan Vance Utahmeet Deron Williams Before last season, the Utah Jazz hadn't had a reason to worry about point guard production in a very long time. In fact, the organization was in New Orleans the last time they had a sub-par Moor general. John Stockton just took care of those things year in and year out, and most Jazz fans had no idea how lucky they really were. Even in 2003/04 (the first season after Stockton's retirement) Utah's point guard play was surprisingly decent with three guys stepping up together | and sharing the load. But !| in 2004/05*. Larry Miller" didn't have near as much luck. Carlos Arroyo (who had just re-signed for four million a year) took a complete u-turn back into bench material; former f first round pick Raul Lo- f pez again couldn't stay off f the injured list, and surprise second round choice Mo Williams shipped himself off to Milwaukee in the off-season. That left Utah in sheer desperation, forced to bring in a collection of no-namers. ultimately being the most obvious factor leading to the worst season fans in Salt Lake City have ever seen. Utah knew the disaster, knew exactly what had to be done, and they did it. Moving up on the draft | board, a deal with Portland jj generously handed them | touted point guard Deron | Williams. Williams is well built. Williams plays defense. Williams passes first, shoots second; and perhaps most importantly, he's the kind of person Sloan likes- humble, hardworking and anything but outspoken. Utah- meet your point guard of the future. The first and most obVi- | ous question Williams was bound to hear spat at him from the media? "How do [ you replace the best statistical point siiard of all time?" He couldn't have played it any smoother, claiming you don't replace the best statistical point guard of all time. He wants no comparisons, nor should anyone else be making them. On the same line, it's not difficult to tell that Williams is a guy with more athleticism than Stock and also more efficient shooting the basketball. I've heard comparisons to Jason Kidd; and though I'm not sure I'm ready to take his game that far, Williams is definitely a guy with allstar potential. With the emergence of Keith McLeod (as a formidable back-up) and the signing of veteran Milt Palacio, Utah once again looks to have found some stability at the all-crucial "one position." So what does that mean? Honestly, I don't know; other than the fact the See RANT • B4 J Sports Editor Winning only four games of a 26 game schedule would be tough on any program. Add to the fact that injuries plagued them all year long and 16 of their 22 losses were on the road, and you have the story of UVSC women's basketball in 2004-05. In fact, the Wolverines only had the luxury of playing six regular season home games all season, compared to 17 away from the McKay Center, including trips to Alaska, Alabama and the dreaded Pit in New Mexico where 9,000 watched the Lobos manhandle the second year division one Wolverines. "Our schedule really wasn't conducive for a young team trying to get some confidence," said head coach Kathy Nixon. Nixon enters her 1 Ith year at Utah Valley State, including eight years at the junior college level. She's amassed a 205-108 record during that time including leading the Wolverines to a national fourth place finish back in 1995-96. But last year, UVSC entered a whole new realm of competition and the transition was a difficult one for a team still feeling its way around. And though the year was definitely tough, the season finished on a high note as the team had the opportunity of hosting the post season Independent tournament. The Wolverines won two of their three contests. "I thought we ended the season in a way that showed we really had made some progress," Nixon said. "And in a way, I think that is still a factor of momentum for us into the beginning of this year." In 2005-06, the UVSC roster isn't any more experienced. Gone are seniors Katie Wilson and Courtney Lynn from a year ago, as well as junior and three year starter Kaydee Allred who chose to leave the team for personal reasons. That leaves a unit comprised of five returners and seven newcomers. Nixon expects senior forward Miriam Palkki to rise up and carry this new group on her shoulders. "I really hope she (Palkki) will step into the role of leader. It takes somebody with a certain make-up to be the dynamic of a team, and that isn't a role Miriam has had in the past, but I hope it's one that she'll want and embrace because we need a leader," Nixon said. Palkki was the team's leading scorer from last season at 12.2 points a game. She also started all 25 of the games in which she played and contributed nearly five boards a contest. Those numbers were good enough to earn her 2nd team All-Independent last year. Also returning are senior Jessica Scabby and sophomores Rebekah Fales, Meredith Lynn and Susie Cornejo. Fales chipped in 7.7 points a game as a freshman, but that average jumped to over 11 during the season's final month. She scored a season high of 19 in a game at Jacksonville State and had a double-double in a victory over Byron Swogger/NetXNc-v.s The UVSC women's soccer team ends the season with six wins. Soccer ends regular season on high note Phillip Morgan Sports Writer Lady's soccer jumped from four season wins up to six over the weekend beating both IPFW and Delaware St. And though the Wolverines were victorious in both, they won the two games in completely different ways. Against Indiana PurdueFort Wayne, it took UVSC two overtimes to take care of the Mastodons. In a contest that went back and forth, Jenni Wright scored one of her two goals off a pass from Courtney Robbins in the extra period to seal it. 'T told Jenni (Wright) that she would get one more shot," said head coach Justin Wagar referring to the game winner. "I'm pleased that when we got down, our girls hung in there and fought back. I was proud they weren't going to be satisfied with a tie." Against Delaware St, Utah Valley jumped out early and never looked back, putting on a scoring barrage against the Hornets. Eight Wolverines scored goals in an 11-0 romp. UVSC scored three times in the first half and poured on eight more in the second, including three from freshman Megan Berrett. The win improved Utah Valley State to 6-11. They now set to play a re-match with IPFW in the semi-finals of the United Soccer Conference tournament in Fort Wayne. Byron Sv The Lady Wolverines warm-up for the upcoming season. Savannah State during the Independent tournament. But despite the improvement, Nixon is hesitant to put too much expectation on her. "'Now that she's in a new role of responsibility both on and off the floor, it's going to take some time for her to develop into that role. There's not a See B B A L L - B 5 New before 11/14: $399 After 11/14: $ 4 9 9 ; " ^ ^ ' For anyone enrolled in a college or university, full or part-time itatys. Also available to spouses of college studd$5. Hit the books, then hit the slopes for some ' *'" cxtracurricularactivities all season lone, IJRenew* $379 by 11/14 i j N e w before 11/14: $399 , , e After 11/14: $ 4 9 9 * For those I ptt years (18 • 25) when you re only certain about one g f e ; in life: eettiwES most skiing and riding for the least amount of money.'" 'C: •• v "• Don t even think about k * " ' Skiaad ride youjjjrains out at The Canyons. see your campus rep Visit www.thecanyops.corn/cplJ, |