Boychuk Trying to Fill In Holes at Long Beach State

Coach Dallas Boychuk begins her second season at Long Beach State with few standouts or reinforcements, and expectations that are probably too lofty.

Other than that, things are just peachy.

The core is gone from last season’s overachieving 49ers, who surprised many Big West Conference observers by finishing 15-13 and fifth in the conference at 10-8. Although the remaining players might be as determined, they’re not as talented.

Boychuk doesn’t have as much as she would like to in reserve, either. She lost three potential contributors when two promising freshmen who committed to Long Beach failed to qualify academically, and a talented Australian recruit left the program.

And Boychuk is not getting any breaks from her colleagues. In a poll of Big West coaches, Long Beach was picked to finish third in the six-team Western Division. That might be too high, and it doesn’t make dealing with the alumni any easier.

“We’re rebuilding a little bit, so we’re going to have to do certain things real well,” Boychuk said. “For one thing, we’re not going to be very big, so everyone is going to have to crash the boards. But if our team stays healthy, we can do a lot.”

Which hasn’t been the case so far. Injuries have been such a factor in practice, Boychuk recently joked that she and her assistants might have to suit up.

Because that’s not going to happen, Boychuk is hoping for speedy recoveries. Point guard Sarah Davis, who showed promise two seasons ago, is back after being a redshirt last season.

Davis is a candidate to start, but she broke her right thumb in one of the first practices and will be in a cast for at least another two weeks, Boychuk said. Guard Amy Heaton, also expected to help, is struggling with nerve damage in her feet.

Boychuk hasn’t decided on her rotation yet, but guard Michelle Esparza and forward Adara Newidouski (Dana Hills High), the returning starters, figure to play prominent roles. Boychuk is also counting on guards Ember Brown and Aimee Periolat (Marina High).

“I want to push the ball, so they probably will all play,” Boychuk said. “I’ve put in some scrambling types of defenses, so we’re going to need to rotate a lot of people.”

Center Toby Metoyer is the key, Boychuk said.

“Toby has a very important role,” she said. “Toby is so big and strong, she can score on anybody. When she posts up on somebody, its hard for them to stop her.”

Metoyer averaged only 6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while being slowed by chronic knee problems last season. Tendinitis limited her to 17 games, and a repeat performance would be devastating for the 49ers.