Last year was a learning experience for both Augustana women's basketball head coach Mark Beinborn and the Vikings' team. In 2012-13, Beinborn was in his first year at the helm of the Blue & Gold after spending four seasons as an assistant. His Vikings went 7-18 in his first season and 2-12 in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin but Beinborn is optimistic heading into the 2013-14 campaign.
 
"I am really pleased with the amount, and type, of work that the kids have been putting in," said Beinborn. "The off-season went very well and it is obvious that our players are buying in and getting along so that is a good start for us."
 
A year ago the Vikings were adjusting to Beinborn as a head coach but he sees the positive in his team's attitude. Plus, a trip to Brazil this past summer should pay huge dividends.
 
"Our trip to Brazil gave us a great opportunity to get a start and work on things that will carry over into the season," he said. "This trip gave us the chance to put some things in. I feel like the younger players really showed some growth and understanding in roles and the ability to play with teammates."
 
Heading into 2013-14, Beinborn can point to nine letterwinners, including four starters from last year. Five of the top six scorers from a year ago and five of the top six rebounders return so the cupboard is full.
 
Senior Molly Etheridge (Normal Community HS, Bloomington, Ill.) was the Vikings' leading scorer a year ago with a 10.8 per game average. She started 18 of 25 games and comes back to handle one of the guard positions. She also led the team in rebounding with a 5.2 average and was tops in assists with 68 and second in steals with 33.
 
Sophomore Andrea McNally (Hinsdale South HS, Burr Ridge, Ill.) started eight games at the point guard position last winter and she averaged 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. She has gotten a lot stronger in the off-season and Beinborn is looking forward to her sophomore season. Junior Valerie VanRoeyen (Libertyville HS, Grayslake, Ill.) saw action in all 25 games and is one of the best defenders on the team. Junior Meagan Murphy (Marian Central Catholic HS, Johnsburg, Ill.) will be a serious contender for a starting spot at the point guard position if she can shake a pre-season injury.
 
Freshman Olivia Mayer (Libertyvillle HS, Green Oaks, Ill.) will be in the mix for time at point guard and freshman Carly Adams (Sherrard HS, Viola, Ill.) will fight for playing time at the other guard slot.
 
Seniors Jessica Baids (West Chicago HS, Carol Stream, Ill.) and Chaney Tambling (Dwight HS, Dwight, Ill.) and sophomore Marissa Pezzopane (Addison Trail HS, Wood Dale, Ill.) will share playing time in the post. Baids started 23 of 25 games last year and was the team's second leading scorer at 9.4 points per game and she also hauled in 3.9 rebounds each contest. She was the team's leading field goal percentage shooter at .545 (91-167). Tambling battled injuries as a junior but still managed to start 10 of 17 games and she averaged 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds. Pezzopane was a starter five times in 18 game and averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds.
 
At the forward positions senior Amy Hicks (Rockford Christian HS, Rockford, Ill.) will team with sophomores Maddie Kerr (Elgin St. Edward's Catholic HS, Streamwood, Ill.) and Natalie Tomerlin (Hinsdale South HS, Darien, Ill.). Hicks was the fourth leading scorer last year at 7.6 points and the second leading rebounder at 5.0. She also shot .776 (52-67) from the free throw line. Kerr played in 24 games last year and Tomerlin 19. Kerr averaged 4.0 points and 1.5 rebounds while Tomerlin averaged 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds.
 
"Heading into this season we know that we need to take better care of the basketball," said Beinborn. "Our system is such that we need to be unselfish on offense and I think we have established that within the program. On defense we played hard last year and that needs to continue."