Each day during the basketball season, Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball coach Brian Orr prints out a daily practice schedule for his players, outlining times, drills and what the emphasis will be. He also puts a daily comment at the top of the page and the slogan "Good Programs Attain – Great Programs Sustain" at the bottom.

For an October practice this year, Orr’s comment on the sheet was simple, but to the point – "Before we can become Champions, we must master the things Champions embody." For four consecutive years, LCSC has won either the regular season or conference tournament title and in Orr’s nine years, he’s averaged more than 25 wins per season, qualified for the NAIA national tournament eight times, and has averaged 11 wins during a 14-game conference schedule.

While the above – and a bevy of other statistics – have proved sustainability for a great program, there’s another intimidating factor this season for opponents to consider. Last season, the Warriors only lost two seniors from the previous year and posted a 29-6 record, the second-most wins in a season under Orr. Entering this season, the Warriors lost just one senior – guard Nikki DePeel – from a year ago.

"There’s no doubt we have high expectations," Orr said. "We return nine players. We are returning a big bulk of our offense, but what is exciting is that we are returning a tough defensive team. Last season, we set records for fewest points allowed (55.6 per game) and lowest field goal percentage allowed (35.1). I think we will defend even better this year."

With a squad consisting of four seniors and four juniors, the Warriors are deep and experienced. Seven of the eight will be playing together for the third season and three will be in their third year as a starter.

"A big difference from last season is our maturity level," said Orr. "Last year’s schedule, both nonconference and conference, played a big part in that ‘growing’ process. In so many ways, we’re better simply because we’re tougher, both physically and mentally. We’re more battle tested and a new level of leadership has emerged."

Orr also expects the Warriors to be stronger this season – literally.

"We felt at the end of last year that we learned a big lesson at the national tournament and that was we have to be stronger," Orr said. "Last spring, we focused on not just spending more time in the weight room but on our effort during that time. We made it our number one team goal for the summer and the players did it. We came back much stronger.

"I think our overall depth has improved, too. We are a little bit longer, and our overall skill level has improved."

Senior guard Kenna Reiter (5-foot-8, Central Point, Ore.) joins juniors Jasmine Stohr (6-0, Yakima, Wash.) and Alyssa Fierro (6-2, Bigfork, Mont.) as three-year starters. Stohr, a guard/forward, and Fierro, a power forward, both earned first-team all-conference honors a year ago, while Reiter and junior post Kirsi Voshell (6-3, Pullman, Wash.), who is entering her second year as a starter, were second-team selections.

Reiter leads a deep point guard position. Orr said she has become more of a vocal leader this season and is a stabilizing force on the team.

"We are going to take advantage of her offensively because she can get to the basket," Orr said. "We’ll do some different things with her this season, including posting her up."

Senior Madison Mendezona (5-9, Tualatin, OR) and sophomore Annie Kane (5-5, Lapwai, ID) also are back at the point. Mendezona suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2008-09 and had arthroscopic surgery over the summer to remove some scar tissue. Although the surgery forced her to miss some time in the preseason, she is expected to be ready to go for the season opener.

"She brings a great deal of experience and leadership to the table," Orr said. "And she’s the only fifth-year senior I’ve had here. That says a lot. Hopefully she’ll have an injury-free season."

Kane is perhaps the team’s most improved player from a year ago, Orr said. Her confidence and abilities have improved as she’s become more adjusted to playing at the college level.

"I’m really excited by Annie’s improvement over the past year. She’s better because she has put in the time and I look for her to play an increased role for us," Orr said.

Another player who has shown great improvement from a year ago is senior Lauren Daling (5-8, Waterville, WA), who is among a strong group at the No. 2 guard position.

"When we signed Lauren two years ago I thought we signed the best guard in the NWAACC that season," Orr said of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. "But on the first day of school last year she had knee surgery and missed most of the preseason. She played catch-up during the season and I think she fell short of her expectations and my expectations. Right now, however, I want to say it again. I think we signed the best guard in the NWAACC that season. She really looks like it. She’s playing with tremendous confidence and she is our strongest player in the weight room. In past years we’ve had some strong guards, but Lauren has taken it to another level."

Tasha Bishop (5-10, Meridian, ID), a junior, will be in the guard mix as well. Her game has continued to improve each season, despite being slowed by a nagging knee injury a year ago.

"Every aspect of her game has gotten better on both ends of the court," Orr said. "I’m really excited for Tasha."

Freshman guard Shelby Barnes (5-8, Asotin, WA) has been somewhat of a surprise during preseason workouts.

"Her strength is on the defensive end of the court," Orr said. "She has a real knack for getting steals. Offensively, she has the ability to penetrate and finish. Honestly, I didn’t think she would be at the level she’s at right now. During this short period of time, she’s exceeded our expectations."

Stohr has had an impact since she first stepped on the court at LCSC and Orr said she’s becoming a complete player because of the improvements she continues to make on both ends of the court.

"Her commitment is second to none and that’s why she is so deserving of all the accolades she has received. If she continues to improve, she could be one of the best ever in this program, and there have been some really exceptional players here," Orr said of the honorable mention All American candidate from a year ago.

Two freshmen, Loree Hill (6-1, Liberty Lake, WA) and Jenni Noon (5-10, Central Point, OR), could also see time at the No. 3 spot. Hill can play both inside and outside.

"The first thing you notice about Loree is that she’s long," Orr said. "The second thing you notice about Loree is that she makes baskets. She can really shoot the basketball. She’s going to be a player and she’s smart. The fact that she can play inside and outside gives us a different dimension. I expect her to have a great career here."

Noon has been slowed by an injury during the preseason, but Orr said she is "a great shooter with deep range and a quick release. She’s going to be able to extend defenses with her 3-point shooting."

The Warriors feature plenty of experience in the post with Fierro, Voshell, and senior Nicole Miller (6-0, Curlew, WA). Fierro and Voshell helped LCSC set a single-season record for blocked shots a year ago.

"Alyssa is coming back a better basketball player because she played more basketball this summer and is more confident," Orr said. "Her outside game is a compliment to her inside game. And what goes unnoticed about her game is the fact that she can defend the post and when we ask her to, she can match-up with most perimeter players as well. And when you put Alyssa and Kirsi on the floor at the same time they can block or intimidate a ton of shots."

Voshell played most of last season with a torn meniscus and had surgery following the season. Orr said she’s emerged as a leader this season.

"She is definitely our most vocal leader," Orr said. "Her overall game has gotten better but the biggest area of improvement has been with her footwork. Now we are seeing her catch the difficult pass and still finish. She runs the floor, shoots a great percentage, and is a very disciplined offensive rebounder."

Orr said Miller would probably be LCSC’s all-time leader in field goal percentage if she had enough shot attempts.

"Nicole can make baskets and we are going to make sure we give her the opportunity to do so," Orr said. "And she’s become a much smarter defensive player."

The Warriors again face a tough schedule, which features three trips to California this season, two of which include three games.

"We had a tough time finding games home and away this season so we have to go to California three times just to find games," Orr said. "And twice we play three games, which I hate, but we had to do it."

The home schedule is highlighted with the Twin Rivers Physical Therapy Classic, which features Biola, a team LC defeated at the first round of the national tournament a year ago, and Cal Baptist.

Orr also expects the conference to be stronger this season and that a number of teams could challenge for the top spot.