The 2002-03 women’s basketball season was supposed to be the next step in an attempt to revive a struggling program that went winless in the conference two years ago.Unfortunately, the season quickly ended before it even started as the Hornets began 0-7 and went 3-24 overall, including a 13-game losing streak. After three seasons and a record of 6-74, head coach Carolyn Jenkins was fired and the program is starting from scratch.

Enter Dan Muscatell, an assistant for four years at the University of Oregon, Muscatell now has the task of bringing the women’s basketball program back to respectability.

But he didn’t come alone.Lindsey Dion, a two-time all Pacific-10 Conference selection for Oregon, and Karen Piers, a three-year player at Oregon, are Muscatell’s two new assistants and played under the head coach while he was with the Ducks..

The decision to bring in familiar faces as coaches was a top priority for Muscatell.

“In putting together a staff, the one thing I thought that was so important was to get coaches who knew me as players so that they would understand how I work and understand my coaching style,” Muscatell said.

In addition to new coaches, new players have also arrived. Freshmen Stephanie Cherry, Ashley Jackson, and Jessica Voisard come to Sac State with a chance to contribute right away because, according to Muscatell, position battles are wide open.

“When I came here in May, I had not seen our players on the court together and I won’t until Oct. 18 (the first day of practice),” Muscatell said. “As we get closer to the season, we’ll see what roles are being developed and the players who are stepping up.”

Also in the fold are junior college transfers Samania Black and Tyeisha Brown. Black and Brown, both guards, will be fighting for playing time due to the influx at both guard positions.

Kim Sheehy, a 5-9 guard who transferred from San Jose State, will have to sit out this season due to theNCAA’s transfer regulations.

Muscatell inherits a program that has won only a handful of games over the past three seasons, but he feels that expectations should not have limits, high or low.

“They should believe that we can win the (Big Sky) championship. I don’t want to sell them short on that. On the other hand, I’m not going to say, ‘We have to win X number of games to be successful.'”The responsibility of the team will likely fall on the shoulders of senior point guard Sydney Gatson, sophomore guard Sarah Craig, and senior center Caitlan Champey. “These kids have shown that they can make a difference,” Muscatell said.