REDDING, Calif. – The Simpson University women's basketball team is set to undergo the second season under head
coach
Edgar Mendez in 2022-23, tipping off the season on October 29 with a trip down south to Anaheim to face
Bethesda University.
Coming off a 9-17 campaign a season ago, and a Cal Pac tournament bid, the Red Hawks will look to continue the
upward trend heading into the new campaign in 2022-23. The returning trio of Seniors looks to lead the Red Hawks
again this season.
"We are excited to begin the 22-23 season, "Head Coach,
Edgar Mendez says," Our team has worked incredibly hard throughout the last couple of months
to prepare and can't wait to take the court soon. The start of practices has been filled with a high level of energy and
intensity as we look to build upon our 2021-22 campaign."
The Red Hawks will be led by a core group of returning seniors in
Tymiko Patterson,
Ariadna Rubio, and
Sandra Berrocal and SU also added the Cascade Defensive Player of the Year LiviLyndsey in Grad transfer.
"Our three returning starters we expect to play a big role for us again this year," Mendez says, "We are also excited to integrate some new and young players into our rotation that we believe will make a great impact on our season and that our fan base will really enjoy watching compete."
The eight non-conference opponents on the schedule will bring huge challenges and a chance to improve as we prepare
for an improving Cal Pac conference. The season will open with the Red Hawks playing on the road at Bethesda
University. The Red Hawks return home to play the Bethel Threshers on Friday, November 4th in the first home game of
the season.
During the Thanksgiving break, the Red Hawks will travel to play in the William Jessup classic where they will play the WJU Warriors and nationally-ranked Vanguard University.
Though Simpson did not return an All-Conference Player on the court this season, Former 2nd team All-Conference guard,
Breesia Northern
joins Mendez's staff on the bench as an assistant coach.
Sandra Berrocal, the lone Cal Pac Honorable Mention player from a season ago returns with her 9.8 ppg. That mark was good
for second on the team a year ago and tops the mark for returnees.
The 2022-23 varsity roster welcomes three new freshmen to the team, with all three being guards for Mendez to add to his repertoire. The incoming freshmen to the varsity roster include
Anna Marshall (Caruthers, CA),
Sonia Urbina (Indio, CA), and
Katie Cushman (Wickenburg Ariz).
With a huge recruiting class coming in, and the majority transferring, the Red Hawks will suit up
Celina Tress (Northwest
CC),
Livi Lindsey (Northwest University),
Rachel Gafford (Irvine Valley College),
Nikki Thompson (Mt. Sac CC)
DarienneKartes (College of the Redwoods CC), and
Riley Wallen (Shasta CC)
Simpson women's basketball looks to prove other teams wrong once again after being picked seventh in the Cal Pac coaches poll. A year ago, the Red Hawks were picked 10th out of eleven teams and upset multiple teams to finish 6th overall and qualify for the conference tournament.
Conference play is set to begin with a trip to Angwin, CA on Monday, November 21st when the Red Hawks battle the
Pioneers of Pacific Union University.
The Cal Pac Conference Home Opener will be on Thursday, December 1st when the Buccaneers of Park-Gilbert University come
to town for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off inside the Grant Center.
The final home game of the regular season with tip-off at 5:30 p.m. vs Westcliff University in what will be a farewell for
our senior class. The Senior night ceremony will be held during the halftime of the Men's game.
The Red Hawks' Home Opener will be next Friday, November 4th as SU clashes with Bethel College (Kansas) coached by former Simpson alum and women's basketball coach, Derrick Pringle Jr. Fans' first chance to catch the Red Hawks in action will be in that matchup with tip-off set for 7 PM.
