Boychuk optimistic about squad
Coming off its best season since 1992, the
Long Beach State women's basketball team looks to improve on last year's
18-11 record while maintaining its No. 3 nationally ranked defense.
With four returning starters and nine returning
players, the women have enough talent, experience and depth to make a serious
run for the Big West Conference Western Division title.
Head Coach Dallas Boychuck-Bolla admits
that "expectations are pretty high," but feels this year's club has the
potential to be her best yet.
"I think we will have a great season this
year."
She said the team's top goals are to maintain
its top-ranked defense, win the division title and beat conference foe
UC Santa Barbara.
A native of Orlando, Fla., Boychuck-Bolla
has been involved in sports since she was a child.
In junior and senior high school she played
four sports, including basketball, softball and track.
From there she attended Stetson University
in Deland, Fla, where she studied business and played basketball, earning
the Lady Hatters Most Valuable Player Award her junior and senior years.
After graduating with a bachelors of science
degree in marketing in 1986, Boychuck-Bolla played forward and coached
for the Sheffield Hatters, a professional basketball team based in Sheffield,
England.
"I had some opportunities to play in Spain,
Sweden or England," Boychuck-Bolla said.
"I chose England because I spoke the language."
During this time, she also served as a
coach with the Sheffield University women's basketball team.
After a two-year stay, she became homesick
and returned to Florida in 1988.
"It was a good experience for a year, but
it makes you appreciate living in the Unites States."
Upon her return, she put her marketing
degree to use when she took a job selling pharmaceuticals.
However, a short time later she was offered
the head coaching position at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, where
she guided the team to a 28-2 record.
"The job was for half the pay, but I immediately
took it."
She gained more coaching experience when
she was hired as an assistant at her alma matter, Stetson, in 1989.
One year later, she joined up with Louisville,
where she was responsible for budgeting, scouting and academic monitoring
for the women's basketball program.
In 1992, at the invitation of head coach
Lin Dunn, she left Louisville to become an assistant with Purdue.
As an assistant with the Boilermakers,
Boychuck-Bolla helped guide the women to a three-year record of 69-42,
two Big 10 Conference Championships and a trip to the NCAA Final Four in
1994.
Her skill as an expert recruiter and coach
brought her to Long Beach State in 1995, although she received many job
offers from schools around the country.
"I really went after the job," Boychuck-Bolla
said in explaining her reasons for coming to LBSU.
"They've been to the Final Four, there
is a great tradition here and also because I like California."
Since her arrival, Boychuck-Bolla has compiled
a 51-60 record.
Last season, she guided the women to a
second-place finish in the Western Division of the Big West and the 49ers
first conference title game since 1992.
In 1998-99, the women's stifling defense
ranked No. 3 nationally, allowing opponents an average of 64.1 point per
game.
"We're trying to keep the defensive title
and improve on it."
Fourth-year assistant coaches Tounisia
Turner and Rosa Stokes join Boychuck-Bolla.
Newcomer Miranda Serna joined the team
this season after being an assistant at Trinity Valley Community College
in Athens, Tex.
"Rosa has been a great help with the post
players," Boychuck-Bolla said.
"She is also our recruiting coordinator
and has brought in some good talent."
"Tounisia is in charge of scheduling and
is a great teacher (for the athletes).
Both (Turner and Stokes) have brought a
lot to this program."
Serna "is a great addition to the staff
(who) would do anything for the team.
If you come by (the sports office) at 9
at night and see a light on, it's probably Miranda working."
This year, Boychuck-Bolla said she would
like to free-throw shooting improved, but is comfortable with the direction
and motivation of the team.
"I'm excited about this year, we've got
some good seniors, I think we should do well." |
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