It didn't take long for first year head coach Cheryl Dozier and the University at Buffalo women's basketball team to earn respect in their inaugural season in the Mid American Conference. The Bulls proved the critics wrong by finishing tied for sixth, after being picked to finished last in pre-season voting. Although the Bulls lose five letterwinners from last season, Bufffalo should build on the success of last season as they return two of the Mid-American Conference's top scorers in All-MAC Candidates Tiffany Bell and Mari McClure and will showcase the strongest recruiting class in school history.

"The biggest question mark for our team this upcoming season will be leadership because we lose five seniors from last year's squad," said head coach Cheryl Dozier. "In the spring we voted juniors Tiffany Bell (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield) and Mari McClure (Rochester Hills, MI/Rochester Adams) captains and I feel they will lead us into the future."

Bell and McClure return along with Sonia Ortega (Chihuahua, Mexico) and junior Tara Perrier (Aurora, Ontario) as the Bulls enter their second season of play in the Mid-American Conference.

"As far as talent goes this season we return all of our impact players and we bring in four talented freshman," said Dozier. "If our newcomers come in and give us the impact I expect them to, we will be successful."

Guards

McClure is the top returning guard for the Bulls this season after having a breakout sophomore season averaging 13.3 points a game (second on the team) and starting all 25 games she played in. McClure scored in double figures on 17 occasions including a career-best 28 points in a loss to Eastern Michigan.

Sonia Ortega also returns for the Bulls this season. After last season, Ortega joined the UB track team and specialized in the pole vault. Ortega also had a busy summer as a participant in the 1999 World University Games representing Mexico. Last season she averaged 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds and was named UB's Best Defensive player after ranking eighth in the MAC in steals with a 1.93 average.

Tara Perrier also returns for the Bulls after seeing limited action in her sophomore season. Perrier averaged 2.5 points and 0.6 rebounds per game in ten games last season.

Forward/Center

Tiffany Bell returns as the Bulls top returning scorer and only post player as she averaged 15.5 points and pulled down a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game. Bell received All-MAC Honorable Mention honors after finishing ranked in the top 10 in scoring in the league and top five in rebounding. Bell's season was highlighted by a career-high 37 point effort, which was just one point shy of UB's school record in an overtime win over Miami (2/1/99). She was also named the Most Valuable Player of the UB Invitational and UB's team MVP.

Elinor Andersson, who would have been a junior this season has left school, will not return for the Bulls. Anderson played in 24 games last season averaging 1.9 points and 1.0 rebounds per contest.

Newcomers

The Bulls add six newcomers to their roster this season, including four freshman and two transfers. Included in the newcomers are post players Cachet Johnson (Toronto, Ontario/St. Joseph) and freshmen Kim Kilpela (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield) and Mia Thurman (Detroit, Michigan/Henry Ford) which provide the Bulls with much needed depth inside.

The Bulls also add three guards to the newcomer list in junior Nisha Wilson (Toronto, Ontario/St. Joseph) and freshmen Colleen Tabor (Ballston Lake/Shenendowa) and Katie Blazewski (Plymouth, MI/Detroit Country Day).

Schedule

The Bull's schedule features eleven non-conference games and a second season of Mid-American Conference action.

The 1999-2000 non-conference schedule is highlighted by visits from Rhode Island (11/28), St. John's University (12/1), Idaho State (12/11) and Youngstown State (12/21). UB will also travel to Niagara, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Navy, Albany and to the Florida Atlantic Tournament (12/28-29) during the non-conference portion of their schedule.

The Bulls open up its second season of competition in the MAC with a home game against Ohio at 7:30 pm in Alumni Arena. The Bulls have seven other home games this season with Kent (1/15), Eastern Michigan (1/20), Miami, OH (1/29), Akron (2/9), Toledo (2/12), Marshall (2/19) and Bowling Green (2/25).

The Bulls will make eight road trips this season beginning with a match-up with Bowling Green(1/8). UB will also make road trips to Northern Illinois (1/9), Western Michigan (1/17), Akron (1/22), Marshall (1/27), Ball State (2/3), Ohio (2/5), and Kent (2/23).

The MAC Tournament begins on Monday, Feb. 28 at campus sites, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game in Cleveland's Public Hall, March 2-4.

Dozier commented on this season's schedule.

"One of my concern's with this season's schedule, in particular is the non-conference portion and the fact that we play a whole lot of games in a short period of time," said Dozier. "The non-conference schedule will definitely test this young team."

The 1998-99 Bulls went 15-12 overall and 8-8 in conference play which was good for a sixth place tie in the MAC.