Powell iffy for opener Powell iffy for opener (December 26, 2003)

Ankle sprain might keep her out of Oregon games

by Rick Eymer

Stanford women's basketball coach Tara VanDerveer hopes her team remembers when they had to play without All-American Nicole Powell.

It's unlikely Powell, who sustained a severe ankle sprain in Stanford's loss to Texas Tech on Sunday, will be ready to play on Saturday when the ninth-ranked Cardinal (7-2) hosts Oregon State (6-3) in the Pac-10 opener at 2 p.m.

"No one likes to lose games or see people get hurt," said VanDerveer. "But we all kind of realize it's part of the game. People expect Nicole not to be playing so I hope they look at last year and see how well they responded. We have played without Nicole before and it is an adjustment."

Powell missed Stanford's first nine games last year with a bulging disk in her back. The Cardinal won eight of those games, including key wins over then No. 2 Kansas State and then No. 21 Arizona.

Kelley Suminski assumed an important role in Powell's absence last year, and earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors after Stanford beat the Wildcats.

Pinewood grad Sebnem Kimyacioglu will return to the starting lineup, and freshman Kristen Newlin probably earned her first starting assignment. They will be joined by Suminski, Susan Borchardt and Chelsea Trotter.

"That was our most productive lineup, in my mind, during our game against Texas Tech," said VanDerveer.

Powell was scheduled to see a doctor in her hometown of Phoenix on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury. Preliminary tests indicated a severe sprain and VanDerveer began formulating a game plan for the Beavers and Oregon (8-2), which visits on Monday at 7 p.m. based on that information.

"Offensively we need to run things well," said VanDerveer. "We're doing some things extremely well but we need to get our offense going. We have to pass the ball better."

The Pac-10 appears to be as balanced and talented as its ever been this year. Only one team - USC at 3-4 - has a losing record entering the weekend, and the Women of Troy have played one of the top schedules in the country. USC lost by three to top-ranked Connecticut, and dropped a two-point decision to No. 13 Colorado.

"We can't look past any team," said VanDerveer. "We know these players. Oregon State and Oregon are great opponents. Any first game will be exciting and it's kind of a new season in terms of the Pac-10."

The Beavers, led by all-conference guard Leilani Estavan, own a victory over a nationally-ranked team this year, and Oregon was ranked as high as No. 21 before dropping out of the top 25 this week. The Ducks will also be without their top player in Catherine Kraayeveld, who suffered a torn ACL during practice in early December.

Kimyacioglu has made just 16 percent (8-of-49) of her shots over the last six games but VanDerveer remains confident in the sharpshooter, who is a career 41 percent shooter.

"She's a shooter and I want her to take good open shots," said VanDerveer. "She needs to go to the basket a little more and we need to post her up more so she can get some easy baskets and not shoot all the time with a hand in her face."

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