DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

W. Contacts: Steve Rourke/Liza David For Immediate Release SID Phone: (310) 206-6831 Nov. 20, 2003 Web Page: www.uclabruins.com

UCLA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OPENS SEASON IN PAULEY AGAINST UNLV NOV. 23

Bruins to Open At Home vs. UNLV — UCLA will meet UNLV in the season opener in Pauley Pavilion on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. UCLA leads the series with the 2003-2004 Schedule Running Rebels by a 6-0 count. The Bruins captured last season’s meeting in Las Date Opponent Time at Site/Result Vegas, 72-64. Michelle Greco led UCLA with 26 points in that matchup. UNLV 11/8 Love and Basketball (ex.) W 74-72 outrebounded the Bruins 43-30 in the game, but the Bruins limited UNLV to 39% 11/17 West Coast All-Stars (ex.) W 93-73 11/23 UNLV 2:00 shooting. Whitney Jones (10) and Gennifer Arranaga (12) were the other Bruins in 11/25 @ Texas 7:00 double-figure points in last year’s game. 11/30 Illinois (Fox Sports Net) 1:00 Coach Kathy Olivier has started a couple of different lineups in the first two 12/6 @ St. Mary’s 2:00 exhibition games. Nikki Blue, , Jamila Veasley and Noelle Quinn have 12/13 @ Purdue 4:00 12/17 @ Cal State Northridge 7:00 started both contests. Julia Pitts and Emma Tautolo alternated at the fifth spot, with 12/19 Michigan State 7:00 Pitts starting against Love and Basketball and Tautolo starting against West Coast 12/21 Fresno State 2:00 All-Stars. 12/28 @ USC* 2:00 12/30 Ohio State 7:00 UCLA In Season Openers — UCLA is 20-9 all-time in season openers. The Bruins 1/2 @ Oregon State* 7:00 lost last year’s opener at Hawaii, 70-66. The Bruins’ game vs. UNLV (17-12, 8-6 T- 1/4 @ Oregon* 2:00 3rd in Mountain West Conf. and a NWIT team a year ago) marks the sixth 1/9 Washington St.* 7:00 consecutive year UCLA has faced a post-season tournament team in its season 1/11 Washington* (Fox Sports Net)Noon opener. In 2001, the Bruins defeated Liberty at the Michigan State tournament; in 1/15 @ Arizona State* 6:30 2000, the Bruins lost to No. 5 Duke in Albuquerque, NM; in 1999, the Bruins 1/17 @ Arizona* (Fox Sports Net) 4:00 1/23 Stanford* 7:00 defeated No. 8 North Carolina 69-65 in Lubbock, TX; and in 1998, UCLA lost at No. 1/25 California* 2:00 17 Notre Dame, 99-82. 1/29 Oregon* 7:00 UCLA Returning Starters (# career starts) — 1/31 Oregon State* 2:00 2/5 @ Washington* 7:00 No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG 2/7 @ Washington St.* 2:00 10 Whitney Jones (60) F 5-10 Sr. 6.8 4.4 2/12 Arizona* 7:00 32 Nikki Blue (29) G 5-8 So. 16.6 5.5 2/16 Arizona State* 2:00 35 Jamila Veasley (47) F 6-1 Sr. 3.5 4.9 2/19 @ California* 7:00 2/21 @ Stanford* 1/3:00 Returning Letterwinners (# Starts) 2/29 USC* 7:00 13 Gennifer Arranaga (3) G 5-6 Sr. 5.4 2.3 3/5-8 at Pac-10 Tourn.(San Jose) TBD 00 Ortal Oren G 5-9 So. 2.5 0.8 11 Julia Pitts (8) F 6-2 So. 10.0 5.9 All games radio broadcast on internet (www.uclabruins.com). 21 Brittany Ringel F 6-1 So.R 0.0 0.0 40 Lisa Willis G/F 5-11 So. 7.7 3.6 Home games in bold. Times are local to site. 44 Emma Tautolo F 6-2 So. 2.3 1.2 54 Sissy Pickett (1) C 6-7 Jr. 2.1 1.2 Newcomers 02-03 Pac-10 Standings (Final) Team Pac-10 Overall No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown/High School Stanford 15-3 27-5 22 Consuelo Lezcano C 6-4 Fr. Marathon Shores, FL/Marathon Washington 13-5 22-8 31 Amanda Livingston F 6-1 Fr. Yorba Linda,CA/Troy HS Arizona 13-5 22-9 45 Noelle Quinn G/F 6-0 Fr. Los Angeles/Bishop Montgomery HS UCLA 12-6 18-11 3 Shaina Zaidi G 5-8 Fr. Valencia, CA/Marlborough HS Oregon State 8-10 15-15 USC 8-10 14-17 Bruins Win Both Exhibition Contests — Freshman Noelle Quinn, who finished Oregon 8-10 12-16 with a team-best 22 points, hit a 17-foot jump shot as the buzzer sounded to hand Arizona State 7-11 16-14 the Bruins a 74-72 decision over Love and Basketball in the exhibition opener on California 5-13 10-19 Nov. 8. Quinn’s basket capped an 8-0 Bruin run to close out the game. The Bruins, Washington State 1-17 2-26 who trailed by as many as 17 points in the contest, also had double figure scoring from sophomores Nikki Blue (19) and Julia Pitts (12). pg. 1 of 3 Quinn led the Bruins with 25 points in a 93-73 win over the West Coast All-Stars on Nov. 17. UCLA shot 52% from the field in the game and outrebounded the All-Stars, The 2002-03 Bruin High- 52-38. Sophomore Nikki Blue added 11 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. Freshman forward Amanda Livingston came off the bench to score 14. lights — •Michelle Greco won the Pac-10 2003-04 Outlook — Coach Kathy Olivier welcomes back 10 letterwinners, including five of the top six scorers, and adds four talented newcomers for the 2003-04 season. scoring title (18.9) for the second Three returning starters are included among the returning players, headlined by time in her career returning Pac-10 all-conference performer, Nikki Blue. •Nikki Blue became just the second The team totaled 18 wins last season, two more than the combined total of the previous Bruin freshman to earn first-team two seasons. The total of 12 conference wins was a total which has been surpassed by all-conference honors (only seven only two other Bruin teams in history. In addition, the Bruins were one of only two freshmen in conference history have conference teams to post a winning record in league road games last season. been selected to the first team Sophomore guard Nikki Blue is the leading returning scorer (16.6) and rebounder •The team set a school record for (5.5). Senior forward Jamila Veasley, a starter in 47 career games and all 29 last season, shooting percentage with is also back. Senior forward Whitney Jones, a three-year starter who has 60 career a mark of .716 starts, returns after the conclusion of the soccer season. • Greco also led the conference in Senior guard Gennifer Arranaga and junior center Sissy Pickett offer some veteran steals (2.79 per game) spark. Sophomore Julia Pitts, who started the first eight games of the season and •Bruins led Pac-10 in steals (13.21) averaged 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, has rehabbed from knee surgery and and turnover margin (+6.86) is also back. Sophomores Lisa Willis, Emma Tautolo and Ortal Oren will look to expand their roles. Sophomore volleyball standout Brittany Ringel returns to action • The Bruins set a school record on the hardwood after a year off. with 147 made three-points shots Coach Olivier welcomes four outstanding newcomers to the team. All-Everything • The Bruin opponent scoring aver- guard/forward Noelle Quinn (Bishop Montgomery HS) was regarded by several age of 67.1 was the fourth-lowest publications as one of the top recruits in the nation. She averaged 22.9 points per game ever given up by a Bruin team and helped her team win three CIF Division III championships and four CIF state •Nikki Blue’s 35 points set a school championships. Forward Amanda Livingston (Troy HS) led her team to a pair of CIF record for most points scored by a Southern Section Division II-AA titles and averaged 17.5 points and 8.3 rebounds as UCLA freshman a senior. Center Consuelo Lezcano (Marathon HS) is a 6-4 plus in the middle. Guard Shaina Zaidi guided her Marlborough HS team to last year’s Division IV-AA CIF • Bruins improved their scoring av- Southern Section championship. erage from 59.0 to 73.0 last season Blue Named to Pre-Season All-Conference Team by Media — Nikki Blue was selected by the media to the Pre-Season All-Conference team announced at the annual Pac-10 media day in San Jose on Oct. 29. Blue was joined by Stanford’s , USC’s Ebony Hoffman, Washington’s Giuliana Mendiola and Arizona’s Shawntinice Polk. UCLA Career Records Bruins Picked To Finish Sixth/Seventh In Pac-10 — The Pac-10 women’s basketball Three-Point Shot Attempts coaches picked UCLA to finish sixth in the conference. Stanford, with eight first-place 1) DeDe Mosman (1989-92)...... 361 votes, was the solid choice to finish first. The Cardinal were followed by Arizona (two 2) Michelle Greco (1999-03)...... 325 3) Melanie Pearson (1997-99) ...... 287 first-place votes), Washington, Oregon, Arizona State, UCLA, USC, Oregon State, 4) Erica Gomez (1996, 1998-00)...... 281 California and Washington State. 5) Whitney Jones (2000-) ...... 238 6) Rehema Stephens (1990-92)...... 222 The Pac-10 media also tabbed Stanford for the top spot. Next was Arizona, Washing- 7) Nickey Hilbert (1993-96)...... 199 ton and Arizona State. USC was picked to finish fifth followed by Oregon, UCLA, 8) Allison Arredondo (1993-96) ...... 190 Oregon State, California and Washington State. 9) Ricarda Kuypers (1994-96)...... 164 10) Michelle Palmisano (1993) ...... 146 Looking Ahead — UCLA will host Illinois on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1 pm in a game to *****Lisa Willis (2003-) ...... 134 be televised on Fox Sports Net. The Bruins are also scheduled to appear on Fox Sports Three-Point Shots Made Net this season against Washington (Jan. 11) and Arizona (Jan. 17). The conference 1) DeDe Mosman (1989-92)...... 136 will also select “wild card” Fox Sports Net games to be televised on Feb. 14 and 21. 2) Melanie Pearson (1997-99) ...... 115 3) Michelle Greco (1999-)...... 101 Multi-Sport Stars Expected to Join Team In December — Two-sport athlete Whitney 4) Erica Gomez (1996, 1998-00)...... 81 Jones is a starting midfielder for the highly-ranked UCLA women’s soccer team. The 5) Whitney Jones (2000-) ...... 73 soccer playoffs run through December 7 this season, and Jones will join the team at the 6) Rehema Stephens (1990-92)...... 67 Allison Arredondo (1993-96) ...... 67 conclusion of the season. Brittany Ringel is a starting outside hitter for the nationally- 8) Ricarda Kuypers (1994-96)...... 56 ranked volleyball team. The volleyball playoffs end December 20. 9) Nickey Hilbert (1993-96)...... 54 10) Michelle Palmisano (1993) ...... 48 Challenging Schedule Ahead For Bruins — The Bruins could play 17 games against **** Lisa Willis (2003-) ...... 46 teams which advanced to the post-season last season. Pre-season ranked (USA Today) opponents include Arizona (22), Ohio St. (15), Purdue (9), Stanford (7) and Texas (3). pg. 2 of 3 Player Bio Updates zona and USC … Named all-tournament games last season and 47 games overall in at the Las Vegas Shootout last season. her career … Ranked seventh in the #00 Ortal Oren — Saw action in 11 conference in blocked shots (0.69) a year games last season … Had a high of nine #21 Brittany Ringel — Starter at outside ago … Scored a career-high 12 points in points against both Washington State and hitter on the volleyball team … Will join the win last season at Oregon. CSUN … Member of the Israeli Junior the basketball squad in December follow- National team … Team won the Israeli ing the NCAA volleyball tournament … #40 Lisa Willis — Appeared in all 29 School Championships in her senior year. Sat out last year after playing on the bas- games and excelled on the perimeter with ketball team during her true freshman 46 made three-pointers (second on UCLA #3 Shaina Zaidi — Point guard who year of 2001-02. freshman list) and on defense with 55 helped her team win the CIF Division IV- steals … Seventh in the Pac-10 in three- AA Southern Section championship and #22 Consuelo Lezcano — Exciting fresh- point shots made (1.59/g) … Had 11 advance to the CIF State Regional Divi- man who was a volleyball and basketball double figure scoring games and made at sion IV finals as a senior … Averaged 22 star at Marathon, FL High School … least one three-point shot in 21 games as points, eight rebounds and six assists as a Scored over 2,100 points in her prep ca- a freshman. senior … Adidas Super 60 selection after reer … Averaged 22 points, 15 rebounds her junior and senior seasons. and nine blocks per game as a senior. #44 Emma Tautolo — Appeared in 26 games last season … Averaged 2.3 points #10 Whitney Jones — Starting midfielder #31 Amanda Livingston — Led her team and 1.2 rebounds … Had bests of nine on the soccer team who is expected to join to the State championship as a senior in points and five rebounds versus Hawaii. the team in December … Three-year bas- the school’s first ever trip to the title game ketball starter with 60 career starts … … Averaged 17.5 points, 8.3 rebounds #45 Noelle Quinn — All-Everything Ranked 10th on the all-time UCLA free and 2.0 assists as a senior. freshman who helped lead her team to throw list (.736) and fifth in made three- three CIF Division III championships, point shots in her career … Had her #32 Nikki Blue — Starter in all 29 games four California Regional Division III fourth career double-double last season last season … Just the second Bruin ever crowns and four CIF state champion- with 24 points and 10 rebounds versus to be named first-team All-Pac-10 as a ships … Parade Magazine and Oregon. freshman … Also selected to the Pac-10's McDonald’s All-American … Averaged All-Freshman team and to the Pac-10 22.9 points and 10.1 rebounds as a senior. #11 Julia Pitts — Starter in the first eight All-Tournament team … Ranked first on games of last season … Averaged 10.0 the team in rebounds and assists and was # 54 Sissy Pickett — Saw action in 12 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and second in scoring … Finished fifth in the games last season … Averaged 2.1 points shot .674 from the field … Suffered a left Pac-10 in scoring, sixth in assists, second and 1.2 rebounds … Had six points in the knee injury in the first half of the Baylor in steals and eighth in /turnover ra- win over St. Mary’s … Career 77% free game … Had surgery last Dec. 30. tio … Set a UCLA freshman scoring record throw shooter. with 35 points against Washington … #13 Gennifer Arranaga — Appeared in Head Coach Kathy Olivier — Now en- Named to the pre-season All-Pac-10 team tering her 11th season (owns a 148-139 all 29 games last season and has seen at the 2003-04 conference media day. action in the last 60 games in a row … overall record) as UCLA head coach, Sparked the Bruins to key wins over Ari- #35 Jamila Veasley — Starter in all 29 Kathy Olivier has steadily built the pro- gram to reflect her own positive, upbeat and out- 2003-04 UCLA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROSTER going personality. No Name Pos Ht Yr Exp. Hometown (High School/ JC) In 2003, the team posted 00 Ortal Oren G 5-9 So. 1V Rishon-Lezion, Israel (Kiriat-Sharet HS) 12 wins in conference 3 Shaina Zaidi G 5-8 Fr. HS Valencia, CA (Marlborough HS) play, a total surpassed by 10 Whitney Jones F 5-10 Sr. 3V San Clemente, CA (San Clemente HS) 11 Julia Pitts F 6-2 So. 1V Carson, CA (North Torrance HS) only two other previous 13 Gennifer Arranaga G 5-6 Sr. 3V Corona, CA (Centennial HS) UCLA teams. Her team 21 Brittany Ringel F 6-1 So.* 1V Arlington, TX (Trinity Valley HS) was one of only two Pac- 22 Consuelo Lezcano C 6-4 Fr. HS Marathon Shores, FL (Marathon HS) 10 squads to own a win- 31 Amanda Livingston F 6-1 Fr. HS Yorba Linda, CA (Troy HS) ning record on the road. 32 Nikki Blue G 5-8 So. 1V Bakersfield, CA (West HS) The team improved its 35 Jamila Veasley F 6-1 Sr. 3V Cerritos, CA (Valley Christian HS) scoring average from 59.0 40 Lisa Willis G/F 5-11 So. 1V Long Beach, CA (Narbonne HS) in the 2001-02 season to 44 Emma Tautolo F/C 6-2 So. 1V Moreno Valley, CA (Moreno Valley) 73.0 points per game. 45 Noelle Quinn G/F 6-0 Fr. HS Los Angeles, CA (Bishop Montgomery HS) Olivier has coached the 54 Sissy Pickett C 6-7 Jr. 2V Coushatta, LA (Martin HS) only two Bruins players * indicates athlete has utilized redshirt year to be named first-team All-Pac-10 as freshmen Head Coach: Kathy Olivier (UNLV ’82) Assistant Coach: Pam Walker (UCLA ’85) Assistant Coach: Tia Jackson (Iowa ’95) Assistant Coach: Theon Carrier (Long Beach State ’92) (Nikki Blue and Maylana Martin). pg. 3 of 3