When Head Coach Cindy Stein first walked onto the Missouri women's basketball scene two years ago, an aura of change enveloped the program. From the start, the team began to show signs of increased development, and entering her third year leading the Tigers, Stein is determined to increase their successes.

In her inaugural season, Stein's Tigers were 13-15 and finished 10th in the Big 12 Conference. Despite predictions that they would finish dead last in league standings, the Tigers turned out a 10th-place league finish. The team also garnered their first postseason tournament win, defeating Baylor in the Big 12 tournament, since 1994.

The 1999-2000 season saw an increased pace, quickening the steps taken the previous year. The Tigers continued their strides ending the season with an 18-12 season record and a 7-9 Big 12 mark. Missouri also climbed through the ranks to steal a seventh-place conference finish. The Tigers produced nine consecutive wins-its longest win streak since 1985 and knocked off two nationally ranked teams in No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 24 Kansas.

Mizzou reached another milestone appearing in their first Women's National Invitational Tournament. The trip was Missouri's first non-conference post-season appearance since 1993-94. The Tigers defeated Evansville in an overtime thriller to boast their first post-season win since 1986. Missouri dropped out of the WNIT losing to the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks in a heated 89-88 overtime battle.

"I was very proud of our team and all that was achieved last season," Head Coach Cindy Stein says. "Although, we will continue to strive to get better and never be satisfied with anything less."

Although the Tigers have achieved tremendous results over the last two years, there are still many steps Stein feels the program needs to take.

"Going into our third year, I feel good about where we are, but not satisfied," she says. "We had a strong year last year for just our second season, because these players have embraced our system. Whenever you find that, you will find unlimited potential and the ability to knock down some of the barriers that may otherwise hold teams back."

In the spirit of breaking down walls and being satisfied with nothing less than perfection, Stein brings in new Associate Head Coach Lee Ann Riley to help condition the squad. Riley served as the Head Coach at Tyler Junior College (Texas). Much like the efforts of Stein and the MU squad, Riley revamped the Apache program over six seasons and developed Tyler into a national powerhouse with a 131-58 overall record and a National Junior College Athletic Association national title. For her accomplishments she was named the 2000 Women's Basketball Coaches Association /IKON and the NJCAA Coach of the Year.

Riley looks to be a perfect fit to the Tiger program, with her philosophy and up-tempo coaching style. "Cindy and I are a lot a like. We coach a similar style of basketball emphasizing on the pressure defense," Riley says. "Our goal is to build Missouri into a Top 10 program. We want to be a powerhouse and contend for the national championship."

Determined to follow up on two years of growing success, the Tigers are prepped and ready to advance toward their goals of winning their first-ever Big12 Conference championship and capturing an NCAA Tournament appearance. In a tough conference like the Big 12 however, these are no easy goals. The Big 12 sent six teams to various levels of the NCAA Tournament, and seven, including Mizzou, into post-season play.

"I truly believe in this team and our ability to be competitive with everyone on our schedule," Stein asserts. "Where our intensity, work ethic and talent will take us will depend on our chemistry and tenacity. Looking at ourselves early in the year, we are strong in all those areas. The future definitely looks bright."

Helping the Tigers along are the talents of a seasoned upper class combined with the exuberance of a young freshman squad. One of the keys to Mizzou's success over the past two seasons has been the increasing depth of the Tiger bench. And this season, despite losing a valuable corps of seniors, Stein is confident with the skills of the returning Tigers.

"We have a very talented recruiting class and I feel good about how the veterans have returned to school," Stein says. "It's always hard to fill the shoes of such outstanding people, but we will have to rely on forming new and exciting roles in which to play. Each and every year the team will take on an identity of its own."

Reestablishing some of the winning success of the 1999-2000 season is the dynamic scoring power enforced by junior college transfers Amanda Lassiter and Marlena Williams.

Lassiter led the Tigers in the scoring column last year, she posted 418 season points and averaged 13.9 points per game. She also led the team with 168 rebounds to record 5.6 rebounds per game. She set a new Missouri season and career record with 69 blocks. Lassiter also garnered post-season honors as the 1999-2000 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. She was named the Pacific Bell/San Diego State Classic Most Valuable Player and was a Unilever Missouri Lady Tiger Classic all-tournament team selection. Prior to her Missouri appointment, Lassiter was a Kodak and NJCAA All-American at Central Arizona Junior College.

"Amanda is a vital part of this team," Stein says. "When she's on, we are on. The defensive intensity and the offensive spark that she provides is hard to match. When Amanda comes out with confidence and fire in her eyes, she can take our play to another level."

Williams finished third on the team with 340 season points. She averaged 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and posted a team high .484 field goal average. She led the Tigers with 65 offensive rebounds and posted 40 assists and 48 steals. Williams was selected as the Unilever Tiger Classic Most Valuable Player. Playing for Illinois Central College, Williams was a two-time junior college All-American and was named the NJCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player.

"Pep (Williams) gives us a solid force inside," Stein says. "She is a powerful player with outstanding rebounding skills. Pep also has the ability to pop outside and hit the 3-point shot. Her versatility and consistent play will be crucial to our success," she adds.

Backing up Lassiter and Williams is starting point guard Natalie Bright who is back for another season in the Mizzou lanes. As a sophomore last year, Bright averaged 7.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. She posted a .705 free throw percentage and was third on the team with 66 assists. Bright was a Unilever Classic all-tournament team pick and was named to the Big 12 academic all-conference team.

"Natalie has become a great leader in so many ways," Stein says. "It's being one of the top finishers in very race or competition, it's encouraging teammates and it's working to get better everyday. Natalie's strong drive and competitive spirit is a tremendous asset to our team."

Entering the Tiger program are junior college transfers Wendy Okeson and Aimee Michelson. Okeson was a two-time NJCAA All-American at Barton Community College (Kan.) She was named Region VI Player of the Year and averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. She also boasts impressive numbers shooting 51 percent from the field, 75 percent from the free throw-line and 38 percent from the 3-point arc.

"Wendy will bring a strong desire, good court sense and an excellent shooting touch to our game," Stein predicts. "She will provide the consistent outside threat that we've been missing, and the offensive rebounding that we've needed."

Michelson comes to MU from Tyler Junior College (Texas), where she played under Mizzou Associate Head Coach Lee Ann Riley. At Tyler, Michelson averaged 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals per game. She was an All-Eastern Texas Region selection and helped Tyler claim the NJCAA national championship.

"Aimee is another versatile player," Stein says. "She is a fine passer with excellent court smarts. Both she and Wendy provide experience and depth at several positions along with the mentality that comes with playing on the national level."

Also joining the Tigers are freshmen newcomers Amy Loftus, Tracy Lozier, Terianne Wolford and Evan Unrau.

"Evan, Terianne and Tracy provide athleticism, depth and versatility to our program, while Amy brings the needful size in the paint. All of these athletes are extremely talented and will see minutes this season," Stein says. "When they pickup our concepts and philosophies and can incorporate them into their game, we will be a very good team," she predicts.

Stepping onto the hardwood this season, the Tigers are poised to add to their growing success. Searching for advancement in the Big 12 and NCAA rankings, Mizzou is prepped and ready to play a rigorous schedule and develop the unlimited potential that Coach Stein sees in her players.

"All of the pieces are working together," Stein says. "The emphasis of our program will always be recruiting and producing a team that has tremendous character, work ethic, talent and heart. I see us getting better and better."