The first page of the 1989-90 women’s basketball season opened Tuesday with coach Jane Albright and her team hosting Media Day at Chick Evans Field House.

And the first thing that the media was given was the first page of the players’ notebooks for the season.

It read: “NIU women’s basketball is a state and nationally recognized program dedicated to developing future leaders by offering a winning and exciting brand of basketball which makes parents, fans and the university feel part of something special.”

Albright also handed out links to everyone in attendance, linking the team to everyone involved.

“This does a lot of things,” Albright said. “This links us to you, the university, community and the state. We’ve got a lot of strong links.”

Albright stressed the importance of being linked together to have a successful season—something the coach feels is quite realistic.

“We are going to be a team this year,” Albright said. “This is the best group, as far as blend. Everything is in place for success.”

The definition of success is a little different for this year’s team as compared to last year’s. The 1988-89 final record of 23-7 was the best year in the program’s seven-year NCAA Division I history at NIU. The Huskie gained national recognition, but the cagers finished runner-up to DePaul in the North Star Conference and failed to get an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. This year, the national recognition that NIU is looking for is to win the NSC, but ultimately to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“If we do what we are supposed to on paper,” Albright said, “we will have a post-season.”

The paper on the Huskies starts with All-America candidate Carol Owens. The 6-foot-3, fifth-year senior led NIU in scoring (21.1 ppg), rebounding (9.8 rpg), steals (2.87 spg) and shot blocking (83) last season. She earned a Kodak District Four All-America designation, along with a second consecutive selection to the All-North Star First Team.

But, that is just the opening paragraph of the paper. This year’s team is well-balanced.

The other seniors are Tammy Hinchee and Kris Weis. Albright calls Hinchee, a 6-2 forward, the “most versatile on the team”.

“She’s really been a big impact,” Albright said. “You don’t know how big she’s going to be this year.”

Weis, a 5-6 guard, is described as a “hustler and a real blue-collar player.”

Albright believes the seniors should lead the way.

“They’ve seen us at our worst,” the coach said. “And I hope they see us at our best.”

There are four returning juniors: Denise Dove, Lisa Foss, Denise Lipnisky and Toby Meeks. Dove, a 5-4 guard and the 1988-89 NIU Player of the Season and Coaches’ Award winner, is “improving her game daily”, and Albright said she is going to do a lot of things for the team. Foss also will be at the guard position and is expected to be a force.

“She’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever seen,” Albright said. “She’s more of a player now.”

Foss played one game last season before red-shirting with a knee injury. She was the Most Valuable Player of the 1987-88 season. Meeks is about six months behind in her rehabilitation from a knee injury. Albright said Lipnisky has “developed into one of our blessings.”

Tracy Mondek, a 6-1 forward, and Dee Dee Jeske, a 5-7 guard, are the two sophomores seeing action this season. Mondek has bulked up physically to the delightment of Albright.

“She’s much stronger, physically,” Albright said. “She’s going to be a great rebounder and will add a lot of great contributions.”

Jeske, a local product form Shabbona, is a quick, explosive player who also is making her way back from spring knee surgery. Albright said Jeske is the most improved player from a year ago.

Debbie Teske, a sophomore transfer student from the University of Arizona, won’t see any action this season due to the NCAA transfer rule.

The Huskies added some depth down low with the additions of a pair of freshmen—6-1 Tiana Burkholder and 6-0 Soyini Chism.

“These two will be learning a lot of things,” Albright said. “They’ll be major contributors by the time they leave.”

All of this talent and depth will certainly be needed this season as the Huskies compete with some of the best teams in the country.

“Our schedule is extremely tough, the toughest since I’ve been here,” Albright said. “The girls are more excited than I’ve ever seen them and I’m feeling pretty good myself.”