ORONO – Last March, the University of Maine women’s basketball team learned a painful lesson: The only guaranteed way to reach the NCAA Tournament is by winning the America East championship.

In spite of winning a school-record 21 straight games, the Black Bears came up short in the title game against Boston University. Their dream of playing in the NCAAs was dashed.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s team hopes that after a long, hard climb toward that ultimate goal, the Bears can finally reach it.

“Last year, the emotions that were going through me were unreal,” recalls UMaine senior Julie Veilleux. “When you lose like that, it hurts so bad.”

While the memory lingers, UMaine appears to be in better position than ever to win its first America East championship since 2000. The top-seeded Bears begin their quest in next Thursday’s quarterfinal game against an as-yet-undetermined opponent at the Chase Family Arena on the campus of the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn.

At press time, the Bears owned a 20-6 record and had gone 15-1 in conference play. UMaine’s 31-game winning streak in regular-season league play, which was ended by Vermont on Feb. 28, is evidence the Bears know how to win. And with a veteran nucleus performing better than ever, optimism abounds without a hint of overconfidence.

“There’s no comfort, because you can’t be complacent, but there is a confidence and I think that’s very important,” Veilleux said. “We realize how important it is for each of us to get our job done for the team.”

Versyp said UMaine considers itself to be the “hunter” rather than the “hunted” during the tournament. In spite of its regular-season successes, the Bears haven’t gone all the way yet.

Even though UMaine’s 16-game win streak and its 31-game regular-season skein in league games was snapped Saturday by Vermont, the Bears are focused.

“It just doesn’t matter,” she added. “It matters that we’re improving and that we have the vision we have. Hopefully we’ll do whatever we need to do in order to obtain it.”

The Bears’ foundation for success has been its defense. Guards Kim Corbitt, Melissa Heon, and Missy Traversi have been effective on the front end of UMaine’s full-court press, while Heather Ernest and Veilleux are keys in the run-and-jump tactic.

Once in the frontcourt, opponents have been forced to contend with relentless man-to-man coverage that has effectively denied perimeter shots, limited dribble penetration, and bottled up the paint. Ernest, Monica Peterson, and Abby Schrader have been strong defending in the post.

UMaine also is comfortable in its 1-2-2 matchup zone and has occasionally played some 2-3 and 1-3-1 zones when needed.

UMaine heads into the postseason having established tremendous scoring balance. Whereas teams in recent years might have been more heavily reliant on the prowess of scoring leader Ernest (16.6 points per game), this season’s squad has effectively taken advantage of its balance.

Heon (11.2 ppg), Veilleux (8.1 ppg), freshman Ashley Underwood, and Traversi (6.8 ppg) have been potent 3-point threats, while Corbitt (5.7 ppg) and Ernest also are capable of hitting from long range.

That helps open up Ernest down low and Schrader (4.1 ppg) at the high post, while Peterson (7.9 ppg) lurks along the baseline and can hit the midrange jumper.

“If a good team wants to go far, I think you need to have that [balance],” Veilleux said. “I believe everyone’s going to bring it [their best game].”

The Bears’ offensive chemistry is outstanding and UMaine’s ability to rebound, outlet, and run ultimately may dictate its fortunes. When the Bears can initiate a fast tempo and run the floor, they’re very tough to beat.

With three seniors and three juniors among UMaine’s top eight players, there shouldn’t be any misunderstandings about the intensity needed for the team to get back to the championship game – and win.

“I think the biggest thing is having a very tough mentality, an extreme focus; playing relaxed, not stressed,” Versyp said.

During the course of a long regular season, players can become physically fatigued and mentally drained. Those factors are magnified during the tournament, when it takes three strong performances on consecutive days to win it all.

“We have a great opportunity to achieve it, because we’re playing pretty well right now,” Versyp said. “The biggest thing is being fresh and everyone on the team contributing the way they have been, because three games in a row is tough.”

That may bring the Bears’ bench more into play. Underwood has provided 10 big minutes per game at shooting guard, which enables Traversi to move over from the “2” spot and give Corbitt a breather at the point.

Freshman Bracey Barker has chipped in some minutes at the small-forward spot, while classmate Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa gives UMaine a solid post presence coming off the bench. Junior Nicole Jay can spell Ernest and Schrader.

Katherine Quackenbush, Andrea Gay, and Katie Whittier round out the Bears’ 14-player roster.

“I think it’s going to come down to numbers, whether you have some depth, and I think we have that this year,” Versyp said.

UMaine goes into postseason play wiser for its 2003 experience, but unencumbered by its loss in the final.

“We need to go forth with a clean slate,” Versyp said. “We don’t have the pressure, but if you’re focused and you’re mentally tough, you don’t let any distractions get in the way and you do your best.”