A year ago, the Coyotes posted a 19-9 overall record and a .666 record (12-6) in the North Central Conference.

2002-2003 OUTLOOK: The University of South Dakota women's basketball team returns a veteran roster with eight letterwinners and several newcomers. USD has five new players and will look to them to have an immediate impact on the basketball program.

Leading USD this year will be senior forwards Julie Frie and Heather Nelson, junior forward Mandy Koupal and junior guard Stacey Schooley. Frie has been a solid starter for USD the past three season averaging 9.1 points per game in 2001-02. All-NCC forward Nelson scored in double figures 17 times last season and 45 times in her career. She averaged 11 ppg. a contest. Koupal, one of the best players in the NCAA Division II, was named Co-NCC MVP of the Year in 2001-02. She was also selected to the All-NCC team, NCC All Tournament team, 4th Team All-American by Division II Bulletin, 2nd Team Verizon Academic District VII, Academic All-NCC, Daktronic All-Region, and Daktronics Honorable Mention All-American. Koupal scored in double figures all 28 games last season and had 15 games with double figure rebounds. USD will have experience at the point guard with returning starter junior Stacey Schooley and junior Dawn Sudbeck. Schooley averaged 3.6 ppg. and 3.0 assists. Sudbeck averaged 3.3 ppg. and 1.6 assists.

A key returner for USD will be forward Amanda Iverson. She will be looked upon to provide a spark off the bench. In 2001-02, Iverson averaged seven points per game and shot 73.3 percent from the charity line. Jodi schroeder, who redshirted last season, will also be looked to help in the post area.

Leading the newcomers are junior college guard transfer Erin Bourne who averaged 16.8 points during her career at Bethany Lutheran. Bourne shot 44 percent from the three point field. Guards Renae Luecke and forwards Erica Schroeder, Leah Bakke, and Vanessa Yanez also are expected to see action.

The Coyotes lost one senior, Alissa Koronkiewicz, to graduation.

PLAYER INFORMATION:

Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 6'1 junior forward Mandy Koupal. Koupal averaged 21.3 ppg. and 9.5 rpg. She was named Co-NCC MVP, All-NCC team, and NCC All Tournament team, 4th Team All-American by Division II Bulletin, 2nd Team Verizon Academic District VII, Academic All-NCC, Daktronics All-Region, Daktronics Honorable Mention All-American.

6'0 senior forward Julia Frie averaged 9.1 ppg. and 5.1 rpg. Frie was named to the Academic All-NCC team (2001-2002).

5'10 senior forward Heather Nelson averaged 11.0 ppg. and 4.2 rpg. Nelson was named to the All-NCC team (2001-2002) .

5'9 junior guard Stacey Schooley. Schooley averaged 3.6 ppg. and 4.6 rpg.

Other Key Returners: 6'0 senior forward Amanda Iverson - 7.0 ppg. and 4.6 rpg. 5'2 junior guard Dawn Sudbeck - 3.3 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. 6'1 sophomore forward Jodi Schroeder - 4.8 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. Losses: Krista Orsack Erin Case

Newcomers: 5'6 junior guard Erin Bourne - 16.8 ppg. - Bethany Lutheran JC(Minn) 5'9 freshman guard Renae Luecke - 13.5 ppg. - Sioux Falls Roosevelt 6'0 freshman forward Erica Schroeder - 18.0 ppg. - Miller High School 5'11 sophomore forward Leah Bakke - 18.0 ppg. - Dakota State 5'11 freshman forward Vanessa Yanez - 20.3 ppg. - Wagner High School

TEAM INFORMATION: Overall Record Last Year: 19 -9 Home Record: 13-1 Away Record: 3-6 Neutral: 3-2 Conference Record: 12-6 (2nd) Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/3

HISTORY: First yr. of basketball: 1972 Overall all-time record: 403-364 (.525) Last post-season opponent: South Dakota State: 3/01/02 Result: 62-68

COACHING STAFF: Head Coach: Chad Lavin Alma Mater/Year: USD, 1978 Record at School (years): 134-89 (8 years)(.601) Basketball Office Phone: 605-677-5941 Assistant Coach (Alma Mater): Becky Flynn-Jensen (Creighton)

MEDIA INFORMATION: RADIO/INTERNET/TEAMLINE: The South Dakota Coyotes basketball games will be offered on the Coyote Sports Network, on Teamline and through the internet. The flagship station is KVHT-FM 106.3, Vermillion/Yankton, S.D. Men's and Women's games will be carried on KVTK 1570 AM. Kevin Culhane will begin his sixth season as the voice of the Coyotes, both home and away during the 2002 season. Veteran sportscaster Joe Van Goor will provide color commentary while Eric Rawson will serve as analyst. In addition, Coyote fans can tune to the game live on the internet at www.usdcoyotes.com or listen free by phone at Teamline. To connect to Teamline call 1-800-846-4700 and enter the team code of 6056.

MEDIA SERVICES: Stats will be available approximately 15 minutes after all home games. All stats are posted to the USD website at www.usdcoyotes.com. All media interviews must be made through USD's Sports Media Information Office at 605-677-5927.