On Campus
Pitt Women Strive to Keep it Going
By Zak Koeske

Agnus Berenato firmly believes that she has accomplished what she sought to do seven years after being hired as the Panthers head coach: build a great program. As she explained, the distinction between a great team and a great program is that a great program never misses a beat after their star players graduate: they simply reload.

The Panthers are coming off a 25-8 season-the highest win total in program history-and a third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, including two straight Sweet 16s. Despite losing three-time All-Big East and All-American selection Shavonte Zellous and All-Big East performer Xenia Stewart, their expectations this year are higher than ever. Pitt was tabbed for fifth in the Big East preseason media poll and league coaches expect the Panthers to be right in the thick of it in this year's competitive 16-team Big East conference.

"It's Connecticut and then everyone else," said Berenato at Big East media day in New York City. The reigning national champion Huskies, coming off an undefeated season, were the unanimous selection to win the conference.

If the Panthers want to compete with Connecticut, they'll need a new leader to emerge. Although Pitt didn't have anyone selected to the preseason all-conference team, 6-6 sophomore center Pepper Wilson, of Westinghouse High School, and 5-7 redshirt junior point guard Jania Sims, who missed all of last year due to injury, will likely be called on to take on the brunt of the Panther's scoring and leadership duties. The rest of the starting lineup will be rounded out by guard/forward Sophronia Sallard, the team's lone senior, and junior guards Taneisha Harrison and Shayla Scott, the team's leading returning scorer.

The Panthers open the regular season Nov. 17 against North Florida at the Petersen Events Center.