Dominguez Coaches See ‘90’s Lemon as ‘91’s Lemonade : Women: With four starters returning from last year’s last-place team, things may be looking up.

Despite finishing at the bottom of the standings in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. last season, fourth-year Coach Van Girard believes his Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s basketball team will be a contender this year.

The Toros were 2-8 in the league last year, but they had several close games that included a two-point loss against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a four-point loss against UC Riverside.

Dominguez Hills returns four of last year’s starters and all its top scorers and rebounders. Point guard Devon Akita, last year’s assist leader, was the team’s only graduating senior.

“We are kind of fortunate because our starting lineup is intact,” said Girard, a successful high school coach who was hired in 1988 to save a struggling Toro program. “We also have a lot of depth on the bench.”

Junior LaNell Ellison, a transfer from Santa Rosa College, will replace Akita, who is now the team’s graduate assistant. Girard says Ellison will help pick up the pace.

“She has real good speed and she sees the floor real well,” he said. “We have more speed, quickness and athleticism than we’ve had since I’ve been here.”

The Toros are also bigger than in past years. Their starting front line includes senior Cheri Bullet (6-foot-1) at center, junior Dionne Vanlandingham (6-0) at small forward and Orange Coast College transfer Erika Manning (5-10) at power forward.

Bullet, a transfer from El Camino College, was an All-CCAA selection last year for averaging a team-high 12.7 points and 9.4 rebounds a game. Vanlandingham averaged 11.2 points and 11.1 rebounds last year.

“Cheri gives us what we’ve lacked in past years here: a true post,” Girard said. “She had a great season last year and we expect big things from her.”

Junior Denise Slater (10.8 points, five rebounds) will start at off guard, and sophomore Karee Bonde (9.6 points, 3.2 rebounds) will play a key backup role. Girard says freshmen Yvonne Moody and Colleen Pratt will also be key backups at the post.

“I think experience is the biggest thing with this team. They understand what it takes,” Girard said. “Also this team is hungry and that makes a big difference.”

Girard, who coached the Lynwood High girls to 10 consecutive CIF playoffs, says this is the best group of athletes he’s worked with at Dominguez Hills.

“These girls have great strength,” he said. “Our emphasis will be on running the score this year, and this is the first time I can honestly say we can do that. With our speed and size I expect to step up.”

With the exception of CCAA powerhouse Cal Poly Pomona, Girard expects the league to be pretty evenly matched. Pomona has won or shared every CCAA title in its 10 years in the league.

“It’s going to be a dogfight in our conference,” Girard said. “But I’m very optimistic about this team. We’ve made some strides.”

Dominguez Hills opens its season at home Nov. 16 against the Latvian National team. The Toros will play host to Chapman in their CCAA opener Jan. 10.