The experience of returning starters could be a key to the success of the 2003-2004 Panther women’s basketball team.

After being ranked sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll for the second consecutive season, head coach Linda Wunder and the Panthers hope to silence their critics and improve upon last years 6-22 performance.

Entering her fifth year as head coach, Wunder is excited about returning four of her starters from last year.

Coach Wunder said returning a strong nucleus of starter for this season could be a big factor to the team’s success.

The return of Pam O’Connor to the starting lineup after red shirting last season because of injury will give the Panthers a strong inside presence.

O’ Connor’s 18 points per game in the 2001-2002 season and 861 total points in her first two seasons at Eastern are third best in Panther women’s basketball history.

O’ Connor’s scoring strength is just one attribute her presence will have on the Panther lineup, she is also expected to be a strong rebounding force after averaging 5.1 rebounds per game in 2001-2002 season.

In addition to O’Connor, last years’ leading scorer Lauren Dailey returns for her final season in a Panther uniform.

Dailey was chosen to this year’s Second Team Preseason All OVC team after having 36 steals, 87 assists and an average of 13.1 ppg in her junior year.

Joining Dailey at the guard position is sophomore Megan Sparks.

Sparks averaged 11.3 points and 4.6 rpg in her first year with the Panthers and was named to the All OVC Freshman Team.

The combination of Sparks and Dailey at the guard position and their performance could be pivotal to the overall success of the team, due to opponents double teaming O’Conner on the inside.

“A lot is going to depend on our point guard position,” head coach Linda Wunder said. “Success at the point guard position determines a lot about how your team performs.”

Wunder and her team have also been stressing defense and rebounding during their preparation for the season after last year’s lackluster performance.

“We have not excelled in our team defense,” Wunder said. “A big focus has been on improving our overall team defense and rebounding.”

Last year, Panther opponents had 161 more rebounds and 52 more steals.

On a higher note, Eastern had 37 more blocked shots, which could increase with O’Connor’s return.

Rounding out the returning starters is senior forward Katie Meyers and sophomore guard Ashley Kearney.

Meyers averaged 8.4 ppg and tied for the team lead with 24 blocks in 23 games last season.

Kearney rounds out the three-guard set after averaging 3.6 ppg and finishing second on the team with 35 steals in her freshman season.

The return of four starters from last years squad is not the only bright spot heading into the season.

The addition of freshman forward Meagan Scaggs has also been a highlight during the team’s preseason preparation.

Coach Wunder said Scaggs has been an impact player up until this point and that she has adapted well to the college game.

With the season opening Nov. 21 the Panther’s hope to capitalize on playing three of their first four games at Lantz Arena to open the season.

“We expect our team to have the best year since I have been here and we hope to challenge for the OVC title,” Wunder said.