University of Victoria Athletics

The 1984-85 University of Victoria women's basketball team is part of a remarkable Vikes basketball dynasty led by legendary coach Kathy Shields that began in the 1980s.  

Falling just shy of a U SPORTS (previously CIAU) national title the previous two years, the 1984-85 UVic Vikettes women's basketball team was looking to reinstate their championship status.

With a perfect 10-0 regular-season record, the Vikettes outscored their opponents 380-228 at home and 376-274 on the road. Head coach Shields finished off the 1984-85 season with an overall total of 95 wins and 15 losses in only six years at the helm of the women's basketball program.

The team swept the conference in post-season play, bringing home a Canada West title enroute to the national championships. Clarke was named a first-team all-star alongside Espeseth, Neil and Chambers, who were second-team all-stars.

The Vikettes faced Ontario powerhouse Laurentian University in the U SPORTS finals, where they put an exclamation point on their incredible season with a 71-52 win. With 33 points, 14 rebounds and a free throw percentage of 87.5, Clarke was given the nod as tournament MVP, while Espeseth was named first-team all-star, finishing with 25 points and a field goal percentage of 57.8.

Season highs included Lori Clarke's free throw percentage of 93.7, 190 total points and 78 total rebounds, Sandy Chambers' field goal percentage of 57.4, a free throw percentage of 76.4 and 129 total points while Susie Neil racking up 117 total points, 23 offensive rebounds and 31 defensive rebounds.

TEAM MEMBERS: Kathy Shields (Head Coach), Tracie Sibbald (Asst. Coach)
 Lori Clarke, Sandy Chambers, Sandy Espeseth, Susie Neil, Janet Fowler, Kim Poland, Sandy Pothier, Tessa Valg, Elizabeth Sara, Sue Loney, Irina Sladecek, Karen McConnell and Karla Karch.