LA MIRADA --- Women's Basketball tips-off this afternoon with a scrimmage at Chase Gymnasium against CSU Los Angeles.
 
After an inconsistent season last year saw the Eagles start on a 10-game losing streak before rallying to a 7-7 conference record and fifth-place finish, Biola's new roster features an experienced, deep team led by eight upperclassmen.
 
"When we were fully healthy last year, we were 7-1 in GSAC with the only loss coming to Vanguard," said Head Coach Dr. Bethany Miller. "We may have looked inconsistent in the record, but knowing the team, we actually played very well when we were healthy. We expect to pick up where we left off with a healthy roster."
 
The Eagles will have to pick up without All-American Adijat Adams who graduated in the spring. She served as the focal point of the offense and defense, leading the team in points, rebounds, blocks, steals and field goal percentage in 2013-14.
 
"I don't know if there is ever a specific plan [in replacing Adijat Adams], but we do have very experienced forwards in Chelsea Hill, who has been starting since her freshman year, as well as Elizabeth Munger, who does an excellent job for us," said Miller. "I think that it may look different without a returning All-American like Adijat. However, we have the capability of replacing her production in other ways, and I expect big things out of Chelsea."
 
Miller expects that a more balanced and experienced team will be able to improve a team that finished in the bottom half of most statistical categories in the GSAC last season. The team's abysmal turnover margin, -4.5, and turnover/assist ratio, .6, were both dead last in GSAC and were the main focus of the Eagles' offseason.
 
"We spent time improving our ball control last year, but we started out very rocky. This season we really want to start strong and be strong from the very beginning," said Miller. "With the veteran players as well as with some very talented guard recruits, we have a very talented backcourt. I think that we will be able to accomplish our goals."
 
Senior Desiree Robinson, who has worked hard to improve after her first season as a full-time starter, will anchor that backcourt. Annie Park will join Robinson in the backcourt after transferring in from CSU Fullerton. The junior got the full off-season workout after joining the team in the spring and is expected to add some needed playmaking to the backcourt.
 
"Desiree [Robinson] is a strong athlete, very talented defender and good with getting the team motivated as a point guard. [Park] is very talented and we expect great things from her. She has great fundamentals offensively. She has a great work ethic and has a very high basketball IQ," said Miller. "Other newcomer guards for us: Dani Kennedy is a great shooter, and DeMoria White is a very talented playmaker. Chelsie Baham is also a good shooter, and then Amanda Darouie, a junior guard for us, has put in a lot of work in the off-season, and we're also expecting scoring and a strong work ethic from her on the court this year."
 
The team will need strong play from the newcomers and the returners if it hopes to break into the top-four of the GSAC. Vanguard, Westmont, Hope International and the Master's College all seem poised to start the season ranked in the top-25 and provide another season of strong competition.
 
"GSAC is always tough. I know some of the top teams, Vanguard, Westmont, have recruited well and have some strong transfers coming in for them as well," said Miller. "We finished fifth last year, almost tied for fourth, and we are expecting to build on that and break into the top part of the GSAC. It will definitely be challenging and take a lot of work along the way."
 
Biola will use a testing pre-season to prepare itself for the GSAC season. It starts with two road games, followed by some home action including a visit by Azusa Pacific, before settling in at home for the GSAC challenge tournament in the middle of November. The Eagles are also hosting the Biola University Holiday Classic that will feature four games from Jan. 3-4. The team will use the tournament to finish tuning up for the GSAC season that Biola starts at home against Westmont on Jan. 14. The Eagles face a tough start to the conference season, facing Westmont and then going on the road to take on last season's conference champs, Vanguard.
 
The Golden State Athletic Conference season is still months away, but the road to winning it starts today for the Eagles in their final tune-up before the season-opener at Menlo on Oct. 31.