ORONO – The NCAA Tournament is the dream of every Division I basketball player.

The University of Maine women’s team came painfully close to realizing that goal last season before losing to Boston University in the America East Championship final.

For the Black Bears’ three seniors, the 2003-04 season represents the last chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.

“I know that I came into college basketball to go to the NCAA Tournament,” said senior Melissa Heon. “That’s the deal. You come for the experience of a lifetime and we’ve yet to have it.”

Once again, coach Sharon Versyp’s UMaine team appears to have enough talent, experience, and depth to, as the team’s motto goes, “Get it done.”

UMaine had a memorable 2002-03 season. The Bears posted a 25-6 record, including a school-record 21-game winning streak and a 16-0 America East regular-season record.

However, the Bears’ runner-up finish left them out of the NCAAs and in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, where they lost a first-round game to Creighton at Alfond Arena.

“The three seniors, me included, have high expectations for this team,” said Julie Veilleux of Augusta.

“We have a lot to prove to ourselves and to people about what kind of basketball we can play,” said junior Missy Traversi.

Experience, leadership abound

Versyp has spent the past three years trying to re-establish UMaine as an NCAA-caliber team. The fruits of those efforts could be very much in evidence this season.

Three seniors who have been three-year starters or key contributors return to form the nucleus of the team. Heather Ernest of Temple, Heon, and Veilleux have shouldered much of the pressure during UMaine’s resurgence.

“We’ve been here through the thick and thin,” Veilleux said. “We have grown and learned a lot throughout the years.”

That group is supported by a junior class that also has played a major role in the team’s development. Monica Peterson, Kim Corbitt, and Traversi are seasoned, proven performers.

“We have great leadership now, collective leadership,” Versyp said.

Decisions, decisions

With 14 healthy, capable players on the roster, Versyp’s challenge is to determine which personnel combinations will enable the Bears to reach their potential. However, the tremendous talent and versatility of this year’s group might make her job a difficult one.

Versyp can implement smaller, quicker lineups that should be efficient applying full-court pressure and playing aggressive man-to-man defense. Or UMaine could put an exceptionally tall lineup on the floor, one that ranges from a 6-foot-1 point guard to a 6-6 center, with nobody smaller than 6-1 in between.

A more likely scenario is establishing a rotation that combines the Bears’ quickness, height, and overall abilities.

“We’re definitely going to be a pressing team, even more so than last year, and we will have a rotation of 10 to 12 players, so we should be able to sustain the energy level,” said Versyp, who envisions subbing two or three players at a time.

The versatility aspect stems from the fact several Bears are capable of playing two or more positions. Versyp will unveil some new offensive looks to take advantage of her players’ individual skills.

Getting to the point

UMaine’s point guard experience is extensive. Corbitt, the reigning America East Defensive Player of the Year, and Traversi will continue to share the role, as they have the last two seasons.

“They will play together quite a bit this year as well,” said Versyp, who needs dribble penetration from Corbitt and perimeter shooting poise from Traversi. Both also are tenacious defenders and leaders.

Freshman Bracey Barker of Bar Harbor gives UMaine a much taller presence in a backup role at the point, although she likely will contribute in a small-forward role.

Shoot or drive, pick your poison

The shooting guard spot is manned by Heon, Traversi, and freshman Ashley Underwood of Benton. Heon and Traversi are proven 3-point threats, but Versyp hopes they can also provide a slash-to-the-basket element.

Heon also is a tenacious defensive player who won’t back down. Underwood can hit from outside and is capable of shooting off the dribble, giving the Bears another offensive threat.

Bears turn ‘three’ spot inside-out

UMaine also can attack opponents from the small-forward spot. Veilleux, Peterson, Barker, and sophomore Katherine Quackenbush will be expected to provide perimeter scoring, rebounding, and a low-post presence.

“Julie’s an unbelievable, well-rounded basketball player,” Versyp said. “She’s a great 3-point shooter, has a two-dribble jump shot, or we can post her up.”

Peterson is a proven force close to the basket, but has extended her shooting range. Barker is tall, agile, and can score from inside or outside.

Get it to the ‘four,’ let her score

Ernest returns having led the Bears in scoring and rebounding three straight years from her power forward spot. But that doesn’t mean she’ll be camping out around the lane.

Versyp wants Ernest to be able to pull defenders away from the basket and use her ballhandling and outside shooting skills to make her tougher to guard.

Ernest is backed up by sophomore Katie Whittier of New Gloucester, who sat out last season, and talented freshman Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa. Whittier is savvy around the basket, while Hugstad-Vaa is a defender/shot-blocker who can also shoot.

Center of attention

The Bears have versatility at the center position, where sophomore Abby Schrader returns after a good rookie campaign. Schrader is a polished finisher in the paint. Nicole Jay, a 6-6 junior, is improved offensively and could become a shot-blocking force down low, while soph Andrea Gay provides rebounding and inside defense.

The Bears believe they have so much talent and versatility, they should be able to handle anything opponents throw at them.

“We just want to get out there, work hard, and play at the level we know we can play at and try to get better every day,” Veilleux said. “Hopefully, come the end of the year, we can pull it off.”

2003-04 UMaine

Women’s Basketball Schedule

November

6 ? Basketball Travelers (exhib.), 7 p.m.

13 ? National Women’s Basketball League (exhib.), 7 p.m.

(Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Classic)

22 ? vs. Washington, 1 p.m.

23 ? vs. Hawaii/Lipscomb, 1/3 p.m.

(Dead River Co. Classic)

29 ? Columbia, 3 p.m.

30 ? Marquette/Oakland (Mich.), 1/3 p.m.

December

5 ? at Wisconsin-Green Bay, 7 p.m.

7 ? at Drake, 2 p.m.

12 ? at Indiana, 7 p.m.

21 ? Rider, 1 p.m.

28 ? Southern Methodist, 1 p.m.

January

2 ? at Wichita State, 7 p.m.

7 ? Binghamton, 7 p.m.

10 ? at Vermont, 1 p.m.

14 ? New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

17 ? at Albany, 1 p.m.

21 ? Boston University, 7 p.m.

24 ? at Maryland-Baltimore County, 7 p.m.

28 ? at Northeastern, 7 p.m.

February

1 ? Stony Brook, 1 p.m.

4 ? Hartford, 7 p.m.

7 ?at Binghamton, 1 p.m.

11 ? at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

14 ? Albany, 7 p.m.

18 ? at Boston University, 7 p.m.

22 ? Maryland-Baltimore County, at Augusta Civic Center, 1 p.m.

25 ? Northeastern, 7 p.m.

28 ? Vermont, 7 p.m.

March

3 ? at Stony Brook, 7 p.m.

6 ? at Hartford, 2 p.m.

10-13 ? America East Championship, at West Hartford, Conn.