DiMuro Lures Recruits for Revived Pierce Basketball Team

Rob DiMuro has worked quickly since being named in May to coach the Pierce College women’s basketball team, which has been reinstated after a four-year absence. The Brahmas will open play next season with a full schedule including membership in the 10-team Western State Conference.

They also will field a surprisingly talented team because DiMuro has been successful as a recruiter. Despite the uncertainty of joining a new program, eight players from Valley-area schools will enroll at Pierce.

Three former players at Bell-Jeff High have committed, including Sarah Dancs, a Times All-Valley second-team selection in 1989. Dancs, a 5-foot-8 point guard, averaged nine points, 11 rebounds and six assists last season. Joining her from Bell-Jeff are Andja Vucurevic, a 5-9 forward, and Lisa Negrete (5-4, guard).

Other recruits are Hoover’s Michelle Ahnstedt (6-0 forward), Reseda’s Frieda Kalajian (5-11 forward), Alemany’s Cynthia LLerenas (5-3 guard) and Reseda’s Deana Yeatts (5-4 guard).

DiMuro also has persuaded Carol Schoenman, a sophomore at Cal State Los Angeles, to leave that four-year program to join the Brahmas. Schoenman is a 5-10 forward from Alemany.

DiMuro is a 1983 graduate of Notre Dame High who coached the Knight girls’ basketball team for two years ending in 1988 and led the Alemany freshman football team to an undefeated season last year.