Hey Lions' fans! Since this is my first entry I'd like totake the time to personally introduce myself to anyone who may not know me yet.My name is Alex Cowling and I am a redshirt Junior fortunate enough to play boththe small and power forward for the Loyola Marymount University's Women's basketballteam. Right now is an exciting time for my teammates and me because so many season-initiatingthings are happening. While official, full-length practices have been going onsince the beginning of October, last week we had our annual inter-squad gamewhere fans got the chance to catch a glimpse of the team in action.

We've made a lot of changes since our turbulent last seasonand we're already beginning to see the effects of them on the court.Particularly in the hiring of two new coaches (a new strength and conditioning aswell as an assistant coach) who have injected a new energy and attitude to theprogram. Our girls are really young, with nine of our fourteen being freshmenand sophomores, but they bring a level of heart and coach-ability to the tablethat, mixed with their above-average talent, makes for an exciting combination.We are definitely READY TO COMPETE! Which brings me to my most pressing sourceof anticipation.

This weekend we FINALLY get to play another team when wescrimmage USC at the Galen Center. It's closed, so people aren't allowed towatch, but getting the chance to play a team as talented as the Trojans will bea really great measuring stick, especially as we get ready to embark on thisquest for a WCC championship. We need to be able to compete against and beatteams who have proven to be among the best in order to be the best. Playing USCright off the bat puts us in the mindset that "the best" is exactly what weintend to be. Also, pertaining to our style of play, you'll get to see a dramaticon-court change this season too. I won't give it away on here quite yethowever. You'll just have to come out to Gersten Pavilion and check us out if youwant to see what it is. But until next time trust that we'll be working hard inthe gym, and make sure to come out to our Men's exhibition game on Tuesdaynight! We're all on the same mission here: WCC Championship or Bust! GO LIONS!