By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Xavier sophomore guard Kristy Wallner has watched the NCAA Tournament since the Musketeers' season ended with an opening round loss in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

She's watched teams the Musketeers played closely make appearances - including Middle Tennessee State's upset of North Carolina.

Despite the Musketeers' up and down play this season, she can see them in their shoes next year.

"I feel like a lot of people on the team realize what it takes to have a better season," Wallner said. "The workouts will be more intense, the off-season will be more intense ... I think the pieces are there. We just have to put them together."

Xavier finished with a 17-13 overall record, a .500 Atlantic 10 record, an elimination in the A-10 quarterfinals and the WNIT first-round exit.

After the loss of All-America guards Reetta Piipari and Amy Waugh from an NCAA Tournament team last season, the Musketeers started two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior much of this season. But next season, the Musketeers will return every player that started a game this season. They lose only bench players Aida Sarajlija (5.8 ppg) and Danielle Statuto (1.2 ppg).

Xavier coach Kevin McGuff sees promise, if the Musketeers can get rid of their streaking tendencies, which contributed to opening and ending the A-10 season with four losses in five games.

Xavier will start next season with the addition of three promising freshmen - Brittny Picconi, Betsy Snead and Candyce Bingham - who McGuff said could help balance his team and push its offensive tempo, one of his goals for next season.

Behind 18.3 points from forward Tara Boothe, Xavier averaged 63.5 points a game this year, fifth in the Atlantic 10, and gave up 59.8 points a game, third best in the A-10.

No other player averaged double digits, but freshman guards Suntana Granderson and Miranda Green came on in mid-season to take some of the load off Boothe, who struggled a little in the final quarter of the season.

2004-05 XU Musketeers

Players lost:

Aida Sarajlija, 6-1, F: Force off the bench with 5.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg.

Danielle Statuto, 5-6, G: Played in five games, 1.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg.

Key players returning:

Tara Boothe, So.*, 6-1, F: First team A-10 with 18.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg.

Miranda Green, Fr., 5-6, G: 6.9 ppg and team-leading 3.3 apg.

Suntana Granderson, Fr., 5-10, G: A-10 All-Rookie team with 9.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg.

Adeola Olanrewaju, Jr., 6-3, C: Transfer from NC State, averaged 8.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg.

Kristy Wallner, So., 5-10, G: Started every game with 5.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg.

New additions:

Brittny Picconi, 5-10, G, Horizon H.S. (Thornton, Colo.): Named to several All-State teams.

Betsy Snead, 6-2, F, Campbell County H.S. (Gillette, Wy.): Led team to fourth straight state title.

Candyce Bingham, 6-1, F, Dupont Manual H.S. (Louisville): 2nd place in Region 7 player of year voting.

Elaine McCants, 5-6, G: Transfer from Providence.

* Eligibility for 2003-04 season.