Waves Rolling Into League Play on Ebb

Pepperdine, which showed signs of breaking into the upper ranks of women’s college basketball by stunning then-No. 5 Florida in November, begins the new year and West Coast Conference play in precarious position.

Not only do the Waves play defending WCC champion Portland on its home court at 7 tonight, they had to make the trip without one of their best players because of flu.

Junior guard Samantha Rigley, a former Alemany High standout, is averaging 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. But she’ll stay at home.

“Her doctor [didn’t] want her to get on a plane,” said Pepperdine Coach Mark Trakh.”

Although the odds are against a depleted Pepperdine team ending Portland’s 25-game home conference winning streak, Trakh feels the Waves can be a factor in the WCC race. They finished fifth last season and lost in the WCC tournament semifinals.

Pepperdine (10-5) has fared well with an inexperienced roster that includes five freshman and three sophomores. The only senior is point guard Angie White.

A youthful lineup didn’t stop the Waves from posting the biggest victory in school history Nov. 29 when they upset Florida, 65-51.

“Maybe we aren’t quite as good as we showed against Florida,” Trakh said. “We’ve been lacking that consistency.”

Pepperdine’s most consistent player has been 6-foot-2 junior center Jenny Frank, who is averaging 13.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. Rigley and White (11.7) are the other Waves with double-digit scoring averages.

The Waves lost a starter Dec. 18 when freshman guard Jennifer Saari suffered a season-ending knee injury against Mississippi.

Portland (9-3) and Santa Clara (9-4) are considered the top WCC teams by coaches, with St. Mary’s (9-3) a close third.

“The conference is as strong from top to bottom as it’s ever been,” Trakh said. “Anybody can beat anybody on any given night.”

Portland, which finished 27-3 last season and has made four consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament, features the potent front court of sisters Kim (5-11) and Sarah Green (6-3) and Kristin Hepton (6-1), a two-time All-WCC selection.

Santa Clara boasts perhaps the conference’s most dominant player in 6-7 Christine Rigby.

St. Mary’s relies on 6-2 forward Tracy Morris, the WCC freshman of the year last season, and her sister, Kelly, a 6-1 guard.

San Francisco (4-8) took its lumps during a demanding nonconference schedule but the Dons traditionally play well in the WCC, finishing second last season.

Loyola Marymount (3-9), which has been weakened by a rash of injuries, remains dangerous because of Meghan Kenny, the WCC’s leading scorer with a 17.6 average.

Gonzaga (8-4) has already matched its win total of the previous two seasons combined. The Bulldogs rely on senior guard Lydia Ledgerwood.

San Diego (5-7) enters conference play without four of its better players because of injuries.