VICTORIA - The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team begins their 2013-14 Canada West season this weekend, facing the Brandon Bobcats Nov. 1 and the Regina Cougars on Nov. 2. Both games will be at 4 p.m. and broadcast live on http://canadawest.tv.

FULL SCHEDULE

SCOUTING THE UVIC VIKES:

2012-13 conference record: 16-6 (3rd Pacific)
2013 playoffs: 0-2
Last CW title: 1999
Last CIS title: 2002

CIS ranking: #6
CW ranking: N/A

Key additions: F Nicole Karstein, F Emily Jentsch, F Mikaela Turik, F Jordan Christie

Key returnees: F Jessica Renfrew, G Cassandra Goodis, G Jenna Bugiardini, G Jenny Lewis, G Shaylyn Crisp,

Key departures: G Debbie Yeboah, F Chelsea McMullen, G Tessla Rennie

VICTORIA, BC – The Victoria Vikes enter this season without the scoring touch of Canada West First Team All-Star Debbie Yeboah and fellow starter Chelsea McMullen. The team will now turn towards returning point guard Cassandra Goodis and forward Jessica Renfrew to lead the young squad.

Dani Sinclair returns to the helm for first official season as head coach of the Vikes after guiding the 2012-13 squad to a 16-6 record and a crack at the conference quarter-finals. Sinclair's crew have relied on seasoned second year Jenna Bugiardini, a CIS All-Rookie team member in 2012-13, to add some consistent two-way play to the mix while third-year guards Shaylyn Crisp and Jenny Lewis will be regularly pushing for a starting spot.

Fourth year Sarah Semeniuk has offered the Vikes the majority of their height in the paint as the six-foot-three forward returns from a year off due to injury. Also entering the season fresh off injury is rookie Mikaela Turik, the team's international recruit from Australia.

Looking down the bench the Vikes bring experience from fifth-year forward Allison Mulock, who has logged important minutes in the pre-season. In addition the Vikes add to the fold freshmen Emily Jentsch and Jordan Christie.

Throughout pre-season exhibition the Vikes posted a 3-2 record with two wins over Wilfrid Laurier and a win over Portland's Warner Pacific College.


SCOUTING THE BRANDON BOBCATS:

2012-13 conference record: 0-22 (8th Prairie, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A

CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #15

Key additions: Aleah Bridges, Cassie Cooke, Kinsley Ransom, Amy Williams, Caitlin Lennon

Key returnees: Jaynell Gillett, Kaela Cranston, Stephanie Haynes

Key departures: Chantel Gaslard, Alanna Johnston, Aimee Johnston

BRANDON, MB – It's a new look and new dynamic for the Brandon Bobcats women's basketball team. After earning their first wins over CIS opponents in three years this pre-season, there's a sense of optimism facing the 'Cats and the 2013-14 Canada West regular season.

The Bobcats put up a 6-4 preseason exhibition record, highlighted by wins over Manitoba and Lakehead.

American imports Aleah Bridges and Cassie Cooke played their first games as Bobcats this pre-season, and showed the impact they will have on a primarily young Bobcats roster.

Bridges, a third-year transfer from Contra Costa College in California, is an up-tempo point guard who brings speed and experience to the Bobcats starting line-up.

Cooke transfers to BU from Cape Breton University, where in her one previous season of CIS basketball she was named first-team All-Canadian, leading the nation in total points (471) and finishing second in scoring average(23.6 points per game). She also played her freshman season with Mount St. Mary's University in her home state of Maryland.

The return of last year's starters in Kaela Cranston, Jaynell Gillett, and Stephanie Haynes provides the Bobcats with more experience.

The Bobcats add Caitlin Lennon (Windsor Park – Winnipeg, MB), Stephanie Hunter (Crocus Plains – Brandon, MB) Kinsley Ransom (Boissevain School –Boissevain, MB) Keegan Robinson (Hamiota Collegiate – Hamiota, MB), Amy Williams (A.E. Peacock – Moose Jaw, SK).

SCOUTING THE REGINA COUGARS:

2012-13 conference record: 19-3 (2nd Pacific)
2013 CW playoffs: 4-0 (CW gold)
2013 CIS tournament: 2-1 (silver)
Last CW title: 2013
Last CIS title: 2001

CIS ranking: #6
CW ranking: #3

Key additions: Nicole Clarke, Sidney Dobner

Key returnees: Megan Chamberlin, Jennilea Coppola, Madi Docherty, Kehlsie Crone, Alyssia Kajati,

Key departures: Michelle Clark, Lindsay Ledingham, Brittany Read, Danielle Schmidt

REGINA – Regina lost four starters from last year's squad that won a conference title and advanced to the CIS Championship title game on its home court, but wins in seven of nine non-conference games this season shows that the Cougars will likely be among Canada West's elite once again.

It's definitely a new look for the Cougars, as the only returning starter is third-year guard Kehlsie Crone. The team's top scorer so far this season has been University of Alberta transfer Nicole Clarke, while Sidney Dobner – who redshirted last year following a season at Cal State San Marcos – has also fit nicely into the team's backcourt and leads the team in assists.

Forward Megan Chamberlin, who along with Clarke will be the lone fifth-year players on the team's roster, will be among the players who Taylor will count on to play an increased role this season. Fourth-year post Jennilea Coppola will start at post with Brittany Read graduated, while third-year players Madi Docherty and Alyssia Kajati and second-year players Charlotte Kot and Katie Polischuk will also see heavy minutes in the rotation.

The Cougars open up their 2013-14 schedule this weekend by hosting a pair of difficult opponents, as they'll host UBC on Friday night and Victoria on Saturday.