COLLEGE BASKETBALL ‘86-87 : San Diego Women : USD: Marpe Says It’s Time to Become a West Coast Power

This season, University of San Diego women’s basketball Coach Kathy Marpe wants to establish her team as a West Coast power. But she’ll have to do it without four-year starter Debbie Theroux, the school’s all-time scoring and rebounding leader.

Marpe has four starters back from last season’s second-place finisher in the West Coast Athletic Conference.

Marpe has scheduled early-season tournaments at the University of Idaho and Fresno State and name schools such as UCLA, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

“We look at both of these two tournaments right away as significant in establishing ourselves as a power on the West Coast,” Marpe said. “Idaho won the NIT last year and Fresno State is always in contention to win its league championship (Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.).

“In order to be really considered, for an NCAA automatic berth, you have to have a real strong schedule.”

The Toreras finished 16-13 overall and 8-4 in the WCAC last season, two games behind United States International University.

“I think we’re better than last year,” Marpe said. “We have a lot more depth. I think we’re going to have a lot more firepower.”

USD was ranked 20th in the nation last season in defense, giving up an average of 62.6 points per game.

“Our biggest asset . . . where we haven’t been strong before is our ability to score,” Marpe said. “We’ve had to play good defense in the past because our scoring hasn’t been that potent.”

Sophomore Julie Evans led the team last season, averaging 13.5 points per game overall, 16.8 in the conference. She was a first-team WCAC choice.

Also back are senior center Kelli Behrens (10.3 points, (7.3 rebounds) and senior forward Cathy O’Brien (7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds). Junior Debbie Sinopoli, the returning point guard, has been slowed by illness and isn’t expected to contribute until midseason.

Jane Gilpin, a transfer from Penn State, will take Sinopoli’s spot at point guard. Freshmen Candida Echeverria, the California 2-A player of the year last season at Chino High School, and freshman Christi English are expected to contribute immediately.