Lethbridge - Despite missing the playoffs for the third season in a row, there were a lot of positives taken away from the 2012-13 season and increased expectation moving forward. In her first season at the helm of the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's basketball team, Erin McAleenan led the program to their first double digit win season since the 1994-95 season, but a duplication of the 2012-13 season will be a tough task for the Pronghorns in the always tough Canada West conference.
 
The 'Horns will open the 2013-14 conference schedule this weekend on the road traveling to British Columbia to face the Fraser Valley Cascades and Trinity Western Spartans.
 
Gone from last season are post Erin Skippon, forward Steph Inman and utility guard Kara Henry. While Skippon was only with the program for one season, her leadership and post presence will be dearly missed.
 
While the voids left will be hard to fill, the Pronghorns return their top two scorers from last season in Ali Cameron and post Kim Veldman. Cameron, a pure scorer, returns for her 4^th season and will look to build off her career best 15 points per game she scored last season.
 
Veldman, who averaged nearly a double-double last season, will be leaned on heavily at both ends of the floor this season, while senior guard Katlyn Olsen will also be counted on to lead the young 'Horns squad.
With six true freshmen cracking the Pronghorns roster, there will be some growing pains along the way. Southern Alberta product Mariah Miller has had a nice start to her collegiate career, recording a double-double in only her third preseason game.
 
Guards Erin James, Sara Simovic and Kendra Lee will all see significant time as freshmen and will need to make significant contributions if the 'Horns are going duplicate last season's record.

For the Cascades, the biggest statistic that jumps out is that the Cascades have 12 returning student-athletes from a team that broke the school mark for regular season wins with 18, won the program's first regular season title (Pacific Division), won the school's first Canada West medal, a bronze, and made their inaugural appearance at the CIS national championships in Regina last March.
 
Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC led UFV on the court and was named second year CW all-star. The fourth year guard averaged 13.4 points per game in 22 regular season contests, recording 62 steals and 129 assists. The Wierks sisters also have contributed to the success of the team, fifth year guard Nicole averages 12.0 ppg and 5.4 boards per game, while Sarah, in fourth year, averages 13.2 ppg and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Led by fifth-year forward Holly Strom, Trinity Western will be gunning to make a return to the playoffs this season, after four straight years on the outside looking in.  

After a record-breaking year from Strom last season when she set six TWU season records and led Canada West in scoring with 19.2 points per game, the Spartans will once again rely on the 5-foot-11 forward for points. However, while Strom will certainly be the focal point of TWU's offence, if the Spartans are to move forward in their progression, it's going to be a team effort that will get them there.
 
Look for fifth-year Janelle Traber and fourth-years Chantelle Martin and Laurissa to step into much larger roles this year and be major contributors both on and off the court. Combined, the three veteran guards averaged 16.7 points per game last year, but expect much more from a trio that will help form the Spartans leadership core.
 
Tip-off for Friday's game versus the Cascades is set for 6:00pm PST, while Saturday's game versus the Spartans will go at 5:00pm. Both games will be streamed live on http://canadawest.tv
 

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