WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW / CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE : Matadors Younger, Hopefully Better

In three years as Cal State Northridge women’s basketball coach, Kim Chandler hasn’t come close to having a winning season.

Her 11-58 record with the Matadors includes a 3-22 finish in 1993-94, which she attributes to player injuries and the disruption caused by the Jan. 17 earthquake.

“We need to put that behind us,” Chandler said. “We need to move on and look ahead.”

Chandler promises that barring major injuries, or natural disasters for that matter, the 1994-95 campaign will be a good one. She believes key changes will contribute to the team’s success.

The biggest is the addition of nine freshmen, considered by the coach to be the best recruiting class in the program’s history.

“This team is superior athletically to any team we’ve placed on the floor,” she said. “More work can be done but we’re starting out at a higher level.”

The Matadors also have two new assistants (Jeanette Armentano and Susan Malisch) with solid college experience and a new-and-improved conditioning program created by Chandler and CSUN assistant track coach Tony Veney.

Another positive change, Chandler says, is that the Matadors will compete in a conference for the first time since moving up from Division II to Division I five years ago.

Northridge will play in the American West Conference along with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Southern Utah and Cal State Sacramento. The league’s postseason tournament will be held in Cedar City, Utah, March 9-11.

“A conference makes you feel like you have a home,” Chandler said. “It establishes rivalries and it’s better for players because there’s something at stake. We’re very excited about it.”

The Matadors have three returning starters. Shannon Crouse, who led the team with 11.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game as a forward, will start at guard.

Crouse, a 5-foot-10 junior, played both positions in high school, but was recruited as a guard. She was forced to play inside because the team lacked frontcourt players. Crouse had a 23 points in a 59-53 victory over Nevada, the team the Matadors play today at Reno in their season opener.

“I really prefer to play (forward),” Crouse said. “I’m not as comfortable at guard as I am at (forward), but I’m adjusting.”

Juniors Carrie Dormire and Maureen Batiste are the other returning starters. Dormire, a 5-11 guard, led the team with 28 three-point baskets as a sophomore and is expected to break the school career mark of 51 before she graduates.

Batiste, a 6-foot center, averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season.

“Maureen is going to be much-more physical with her play,” Chandler said. “She will control the boards better.”

Sarah Hagman (Crescenta Valley High), a 5-9 freshman, will start at point guard, with two more freshmen--Pam Karbowski (Santa Rosa Ursuline High) and Lisa Vaillancourt (Novato High)--as her backups.

Hagman averaged 24.4 points per game for Crescenta Valley and set a Southern Section record by sinking 13 three-point shots in one game.

“You can see improvement in her every day,” Chandler said. “The key for her will be experience at this level.”

Junior Kanika Means, who saw limited playing time last season, is battling for the other starting forward position with a pair of freshmen--Sarah Bell (Oakland Holy Names High) and Holly Babcock (Grass Valley Nevada Union High).

Means, 5-10, averaged 1.6 points and 2.0 rebounds. Bell, 6-1, who received honorable mention on Street & Smith’s high school All-American team, averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The 6-foot Babcock, an All-Central Athletic League pick, led her high school team to a 27-7 record and the league championship.

“I think talent-wise we were just as good last year,” Crouse said. “The difference is that we work well together.

“There’s a positive outlook, which we haven’t had before. We have better people overall, on and off the court.”

The Matadors play their home opener against Northern Arizona on Dec. 3.

Northridge’s nonconference schedule includes home games against Pepperdine, Fresno State and San Diego and road games against UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Long Beach.