The UCLA women’s basketball team has been rejected by one
of its own. But now it is time to move on. Highly touted freshman
guard Ashlee Trebilcock’s alarming decision to transfer out
of UCLA after only four games left her former teammates wondering
why she made such a bold choice. But the No. 23 Bruins are wasting
no time pondering why one of their most talented players fled the
scene. They don’t have time to think about it. With a
difficult road trip that kicks off against Clemson tonight, UCLA
(3-2) has quickly picked up the pieces. “We have to move on
from Ashlee,” sophomore forward Lindsey Pluimer said.
“We wish Ashlee the best, but we can’t lose
focus.” It is unusually early in the season to be dealing
with such controversy, but the Bruins’ schedule doesn’t
allow for them to get caught up in a storm of hearsay and drama.
From Clemson, the team travels to Norman, Okla. to take on the
21st-ranked Sooners. Although Coach Kathy Olivier mockingly points
to the tiring days of airports and fast food, junior guard Noelle
Quinn asserted that such an extensive trip is good for the morale
of the team. It is especially welcomed now, when the team can get
out on the road and take its mind away from the questions and
concerns regarding Trebilcock’s transfer. “This is
really our first road trip,” Quinn said. “Going out on
the road is always a great bonding experience. We get to spend time
with just each other, and grow.” In what has taken a back
seat to the mystery surrounding Trebilcock’s abrupt transfer,
UCLA has been able to utilize its bench in the past few games by
building sizable leads early in the first half. Building a cushion
against Charlotte and UC Irvine allowed Olivier to give playing
time to most of the second and third team. Every member of the UCLA
roster, with the exception of junior center Consuelo Lezcano,
scored against UC Irvine. Ironically, the collective efforts up and
down the roster have come right as one of the key contributors has
unceremoniously left the team because of a personal conflict with
the rest of the club. “The team chemistry is so good right
now,” Quinn said. “(Trebilcock’s transfer) was
just another bump on the road. But this team is going to come
together as a team.” The UCLA women’s basketball team
still wants to know exactly why Trebilcock was compelled to forego
an entire year of eligibility after only four games. But the team
knows what lies ahead. “This group has high expectations and
I don’t think they are going to let this get in their
way,” Olivier said. “We are a mature team and
won’t allow this to distract us any further,” she
said.
EARLY HONORS: Senior guard Nikki Blue and
junior guard Lisa Willis are two of just 30 seniors across the
country nominated for the 2005-2006 Bayer Advantage Senior Class
Award. The award is given annually to the nation’s top senior
player in men’s and women’s basketball.