Era of Ethridge begins Monday with exhibition match in Beasley

ABBY LINNENKOHL | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE

Redshirt sophomore Borislava Hristova drives to the hoop and gets past Saint Louis University’s then-junior center Tara Dusharm and adds two points to the WSU win Dec. 4 in Beasley Coliseum.

COLIN CONNOLLY, Evergreen reporter

WSU women’s basketball will host an exhibition match against Warner Pacific University on Monday in Beasley Coliseum.

This will be WSU Head Coach Kamie Ethridge’s first game coaching the team. Ethridge leads a team with four true freshman and a few senior leaders and is likely looking to continue her coaching success from University of Northern Colorado, where she had three seasons with 20 or more wins.

The Cougars ended last season with an overall record of 10-20 and 3-14 in conference. As a result, former Head Coach June Daugherty was dismissed. However, the Cougs have had a chance to work with Ethridge in the offseason, which may have helped them learn a new coaching style and adapt to the younger players.

The Cougars return with their top-three scorers from last season: redshirt junior forward Borislava Hristova, senior guard Alexys Swedlund and junior guard Chanelle Molina. They will also welcome five newcomers to the court this season.

WSU will host its exhibition against the Warner Pacific Knights at 7 p.m. Monday in Beasley Coliseum.