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Women's Basketball Seth Dahle, Sports Information Director

VIDEO: EOU Women’s Basketball Reloads for 2016-17 Campaign

2016-17 QUICK FACTS | RECORD BOOK | SCHEDULE | ROSTER
 
LA GRANDE, Ore. – Revamped and reloaded – two words that describe the 17th-ranked EOU women's basketball team as it sets its eyes on the 2016-17 season.
 
With six seniors gone to graduation, one might think it'd be a rebuilding year for the Blue and Gold. But with a versatile handful of returners and highly anticipated recruiting class, the sky is the limit for the Mountaineers and 17th-year head coach Anji Weissenfluh. 
 
"We still have eight returners," said Weissenfluh. "And those are quality returners that we're going to look upon to step up their role and be adaptable."
 
Of those returners are junior sharpshooter Payton Parrish and senior guard Darian Gasseling. Parrish is the squad's top returning scorer (10.3 points per game) and drilled 82 three's (45 percent) last season, while Gasseling (5.6 ppg, 67 assists) started two games in 2015-16 and will lead the squad at the point guard position.
 
"Our ultimate goal is to be Cascade Collegiate Conference champs," said Parrish. "And [we want to] end our season at the national tournament."
 
Explosive guard Maya Ah You, who missed last season due to an injury, averaged 11 points during the 2014-15 season en route to earning First-Team All-CCC honors. A pair of versatile seniors in Donniesha Webber (3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Ashley Knight (5.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also return for the Blue and Gold, as well as senior guard Bailey Schroeder, junior forward Mariah Swanson, and redshirt freshman Andi Warn.
 
The Blue and Gold finished the 2015-16 campaign with a 21-10 overall record and 16-4 mark in CCC play. EOU reached the semifinals of the CCC Tournament before falling on the road to Oregon Tech, 51-43. It was the first time in five seasons that EOU did not make an appearance in the NAIA National Championships.
 
EOU's 2016-17 recruiting class is expected to be one of the best in the conference, as it brings strength, size, and speed that will be critical down the stretch.
 
"In recruiting we looked for specific things," said Weissenfluh. "And I think we've got a great match with the people that we were able to sign. These are kids that not only have the basketball skill, but also the character, the work ethic, and some of the things we're looking for in the culture of our program."
 
EOU opens the season on Saturday against Simpson in Redding, Calif., at 5:30 p.m.
 
MOUNTIES TABBED SECOND IN CCC
In the 2016-17 CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Mountaineers were picked second and earned two first-place votes in the rankings.
 
With 107 points, EOU edged No. 3 Oregon Tech (100), while Southern Oregon, the defending conference champion, was chosen as the favorite to win the title in 2016-17 with 116 points and eight first-place votes.
 
Northwest Christian took the fourth spot, while Corban and Northwest rounded out the top six. College of Idaho was next at No. 7, followed by Warner Pacific, Evergreen, Multnomah, and Walla Walla.
 
BACK IN THE TOP 25
EOU compiled 116 points in the 2016 NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll to earn the No. 17 spot. The only other CCC teams picked ahead of EOU were No. 2 Southern Oregon, the runner-up in last year's title game, and No. 20 Oregon Tech. The Mountaineers were one of two teams to defeat the Raiders last season.
 
2015-16 TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS
Two first-team all-conference honorees
One honorable mention all-conference selection
Nine academic all-conference honorees
Four Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes
Def. No. 8 Southern Oregon (national runner-up), 75-69
Def. No. 24 Warner Pacific, 82-61
T-2nd in CCC (16-4 record)
Fifth straight 20-win season
CCC Presidents' Academic Excellence
NAIA Scholar-Team
 
2015-16 STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Jordan Klebaum (372)
Rebounds: Nikki Osborne (228)
Assists: Maloree Moss (108)
Blocks: Webber (11)
Steals: Klebaum (57)
Minutes: Osborne (922)
 
HOME OPENER
EOU's home opener is scheduled for Nov. 22 against Whitworth at 5:30 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Jordan Klebaum

#34 Jordan Klebaum

G
5' 9"
Senior
Maloree Moss

#4 Maloree Moss

G
5' 8"
Senior
Nikki Osborne

#55 Nikki Osborne

F
5' 10"
Senior
Maya Ah You Dias

#1 Maya Ah You Dias

G
5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Darian Gasseling

#10 Darian Gasseling

G
5' 5"
Senior
Ashley Knight

#25 Ashley Knight

G/F
5' 8"
Senior
Payton Parrish

#21 Payton Parrish

G
5' 9"
Redshirt Junior
Bailey Schroeder

#15 Bailey Schroeder

G
5' 9"
Senior
Mariah Swanson

#33 Mariah Swanson

F
5' 11"
Junior
Andi Warn

#12 Andi Warn

G
5' 6"
Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jordan Klebaum

#34 Jordan Klebaum

5' 9"
Senior
G
Maloree Moss

#4 Maloree Moss

5' 8"
Senior
G
Nikki Osborne

#55 Nikki Osborne

5' 10"
Senior
F
Maya Ah You Dias

#1 Maya Ah You Dias

5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Darian Gasseling

#10 Darian Gasseling

5' 5"
Senior
G
Ashley Knight

#25 Ashley Knight

5' 8"
Senior
G/F
Payton Parrish

#21 Payton Parrish

5' 9"
Redshirt Junior
G
Bailey Schroeder

#15 Bailey Schroeder

5' 9"
Senior
G
Mariah Swanson

#33 Mariah Swanson

5' 11"
Junior
F
Andi Warn

#12 Andi Warn

5' 6"
Redshirt Freshman
G