Youth is defined as 'the early period of existence, growth and development' according to Webster. The 2004-05 George Mason's women's basketball team fits this description as the Patriots have three upperclassman and 10 underclassman to comprise this year's squad. Head coach Debbie Taneyhill is excited about the upcoming year and her young team, as four years ago the Patriots were in the same boat when six freshmen were added to the roster, which included the WNBA's Jen Derevjanik and 2004 All-CAA Defensive Team honoree, Vernessa Neamo.

"It is thrilling for us because we have not been in this situation for four years," said Taneyhill. "It is exciting because these young players bring a lot of enthusiasm to the floor and they are willing to learn and work hard, which is what you want as a coach. It is fun to have these kind of athletes, but it will definitely be a challenge this year just because we are so young."

The three upperclassman returning for the Patriots are seniors Julie Flanders and Lauren Hediger, as well as junior Jen Daniels. Flanders is the only returning starter from the 2003-04 season as she saw action in 26 games and started 22 of those contests. Flanders averaged a team third-best 4.0 rebounds per game and will be a force on the floor this year for Mason.

"I thought Julie came on strong at the end of the year as she had a very good tournament game against Old Dominion and played very well at Seton Hall," stated Taneyhill. "This is Julie's second year with this offense and I think that will be a big help for her. I think in the offseason she has worked the hardest than anyone on the team to get ready for her new role and should be in our starting line-up again this season."

Hediger saw significant playing time last year at the guard position and averaged 5.7 points per game, as well as 2.0 rebounds. Hediger shot .366 from behind the arc last season, which was second on the team and fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association and she averaged 1.58 treys per game to sit sixth among conference peers.

"We looked for Lauren to be a shooter for us last year and again that will be her strength as her range is endless from out there," said Taneyhill. "She hit some huge shots in a few big games last season and we want her to expand that role. Last year Lauren was our defensive stopper many nights and I think we can count on her for these two things again, plus the extras."

The remaining upperclassman is Daniels who saw action in every contest during the 2003-04 campaign and averaged 3.8 points per game and 16.0 minutes.

"Jen played behind and a lot with Derevjanik for two years and I think Jen will give us a very consistent guard out on the floor," stated Taneyhill. "I think that Jen will play very different this year because she is looking to be a starter and she knows she needs to give us some more offense. I think she is your prototype point guard. Jen is going to run your team for you, she is going to be a great leader on the floor and also be a threat to score herself."

Another player who logged considerable time for the Patriots last year is sophomore Kristin Higy as she saw action in 27 games and was in the starting line-up on six occasions. The Ohio native saw much of her playing time at the center position and averaged 2.0 rebounds per game, 2.7 points and 14.7 minutes. Higy will play more of her natural position this year as a forward and will compete for starting time during the season.

"Last year we had to play Kristin out of position a lot, but hopefully this year we can play her more at the forward spot," expressed Taneyhill. "I think Kristin is a workhorse on the boards and defensively she has great feet. We are looking for her to expand her role, become more offensive minded and play more on the perimeter for us this year."

Tracy Ann Holness is the final returner who played significant time as she saw action in 15 games last season and averaged 2.6 points per contest, as well as 9.0 minutes.

"I think Tracy has a lot of untapped talent that we need to see this year," said Taneyhill. "We need her to become more consistent and again step up to that next level.

Sophomore Ashley York and freshman A.J. Farrar are two other familiar faces for the Patriots. York played in three games last season and Farrar did not see action on the court all season as she claimed a medical redshirt.

"Both Ashley and A.J. can shoot the ball," said Taneyhill. "They really did not have a chance to play last year and show what they can do. We do not know how ready they will be, how much better they have gotten this past year and how they will respond once the season starts.

"Overall our team is a very tough team," expressed Taneyhill. "I think athletically we may be a little better than last year, but obviously we are very young. We have a lot to work with, but we have a lot of work to do to get ready for our season and those upperclassman obviously have to lead the way."

Freshmen Keyhana Wakefield and Casey Quigley will have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of Derevjanik and will compete for playing time at the guard position as Hediger, Daniels and Farrar will also vie for time on the court.

"I know you will see both Keyhana and Casey on the floor quite a bit this year," said Taneyhill. "Keyhana can explode offensively and Casey plays with great poise and consistency for someone her age. I really like both of their games and expect both to play quite a bit.

"Our strength is definitely on the perimeter," stated Taneyhill. "We are pretty deep at the guard spot and all five players will contend for minutes."

Along with Higy, Holness and York, freshmen Moni Akintunde and Whitney Ward will help the Patriots at the forward position.

"Moni and Whitney are very good rebounders and are kind of like a Neamo or Susan Otim type of players," expressed Taneyhill. "Moni is lefthanded and can really get to the hole. Whitney is coming off an ACL injury so it may take her a little longer to get read, but I think when she does she will definitely be a force on the floor."

The final position is the post and joining Flanders at the five spot are freshmen Erika Hussa and Jessica Smith.

"I believe that the post position is always the biggest challenge because of the level of physical play in the paint," said Taneyhill. "Someone is going to have to play minutes in this position to help Julie and it will come down to the one who is ready. They have the greatest challenge ahead of them of all the freshmen, but hopefully they will be ready for it.

"As a group, the freshmen are six outstanding young people who will be big contributors to our program very soon," expressed Taneyhill. "All are good students and all work very hard. I am very anxious to get in the gym with them and start coaching."

The Patriots also have a walk-on to the program in junior guard Melissa McGruder from Richmond, Va.

"Melissa brings a lot of athleticism and has put in a great summer of work," stated Taneyhill. "She is someone who may help us throughout the year and is certainly at least going to get out there and compete everyday."

The Patriots have a challenging non-conference schedule as Mason will face three teams that participated in the 2004 NCAA Tournament, including three-time defending national champions, UConn.

The women's season opens with a home contest against Tulane (Nov. 21), which Mason defeated by one point last season in New Orleans, La. and then face Monmouth on the road, as well as 2004 NCAA Tournament participant Miami (Fla.) in Fairfax on Nov. 30. For the next three games, the Patriots are away and will compete against Penn State, which advanced to the "Elite Eight" of the NCAA Tournament last season, and will then face Georgetown, as well as Mount St. Mary's. Mason returns to its home court for a match-up against Longwood (Dec. 21) and will then travel to Storrs, Conn. and face the Huskies on Dec. 27 and will wrap-up its non-conference schedule with Columbia at home (Jan. 11).

"One thing I have learned is that you have to play good teams in your non-conference games to get ready for conference play," said Taneyhill. "If we can step on the floor and play with those teams, then certainly we can play with all the schools in the CAA. Our young players will not know any better and will just go in there and play. We will learn some lessons early, but we certainly are going to get ready for January."

The Patriots open up conference competition on Jan. 2 at Towson and host four CAA opponents at home during the month of January, including Hofstra (Jan. 6), William & Mary (Jan. 9), James Madison (Jan. 14) and Virginia Commonwealth (Jan. 23). Mason will then face Old Dominion on Jan. 27 in Norfolk, Va. for a rematch of the 2004 CAA Tournament championship game, which the Monarchs edged the Patriots, 85-81. In February, the Patriots will host three-straight contests as Mason will compete against ODU (Feb. 13), Towson (Feb. 17), UNC Wilmington (Feb. 20) and will conclude their regular season at home against Drexel on Mar. 3.

"The CAA finished the year ninth in the country as a conference, that is a strong conference," expressed Taneyhill. "I think everybody in the chase for ODU has raised the level of play."

For the first time in school history, Mason will host the CAA Tournament which will be held from Mar. 9-12 at the Patriot Center. For the past five years, the tournament has been held in Norfolk, Va. and the closest it has been to Fairfax is when American hosted in 1987.

"It is great that we are going to be hosting the conference tournament," exclaimed Taneyhill. "I think that it is such an advantage. It also speaks a lot to our administration and the sport that we have the tournament in Fairfax. I hope that our athletes will recognize the opportunity that they have, and certainly the community as well, to be able to watch some great basketball right on our home court."

Mason's women's basketball team does bring a lot of youth to the court this year and only time will tell what happens.

"I think we have some big shoes to fill and because of the youth and inexperience of our team, we do not know who will step into those roles and we may not for awhile," said Taneyhill. "Our goals will continue to be the same; we need to compete with the best in the CAA and the best in non-conference and be ready for postseason."