CS Northridge Women Have Trouble Already

The Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team, which lost 21 of 27 games last season, seeks to take a few steps toward respectability in 1993-94.

However, third-year Coach Kim Chandler already has received two blows in the climb to success at the Division I level. Sophomore guard Michelle Esparza, the Matadors’ leading returning scorer (10.0 points per game), is academically ineligible.

Mary Jean Espino, the team’s lone senior and a projected starter at point guard, underwent knee surgery for torn cartilage in early November and is out indefinitely.

Espino averaged 7.4 points a game last season, second-best among returning players.

Without those players, the Matadors will rely on five returning sophomores plus two junior college transfers to get through the early part of the season, which starts today in the St. Mary’s tournament in Moraga.

Kris Waldorf, a 5-foor-5 sophomore, will replace Espino at point guard and is the leading returning scorer who will start the season. She averaged 4.0 points and started 11 games last season.

Chandler said Waldorf has an important role. “I think we’re going to see good leadership from Kris,” Chandler said. “In the past I haven’t asked for definite roles. This year I need scoring roles, defensive roles, rebounding roles and leadership roles.”

Northridge expects a boost from junior Katina Mines, a 5-10 forward. Mines, who played at Sylmar High, averaged 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game for Valley College in 1991-92. She sat out the ‘92-93 season. Junior forward Amy Horst (6-0), another transfer from Valley, provides depth up front.

Other returners in contention for starting positions are 5-10 sophomore Shannon Crouse (1.2 points), who moved from guard to forward and may be the team’s most improved player. Sophomore Maureen Batiste (2.3 points, 2.3 rebounds), the tallest player on the roster at 6-foot, is expected to start at center.

After the injuries and ineligibility, the Matadors are left with eight scholarship players. Chandler is concerned about the bench.