A heavy dose of optimism surrounds the 2008-2009 Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball program. Year 2 in the Scott Davis era promises to be a solid one as the Broncos return the 2008 CCAA Freshman of the Year in guard Reyana Colson, a host of quality performers who redshirted last season and newcomers who figure to play a critical role for one of the NCAA Division II's most storied programs.

                        ‘The expectations are at a higher level than when we started a year ago,'' said Davis, whose debut team at CPP went 12-16 overall and finished as a CCAA Tournament semifinalist in 2007-08. "We've got 10 new people on the roster and 14 didn't play for us last season. The learning curve is at a higher level, but we've got talented people who will gain experience rather quickly.''

                        Just three players who earned playing time return, but those three played a big role in the Broncos' success last season. Colson (Compton) was the second-leading scorer for the Broncos (13.1 points) and was second in rebounds (5) and minutes played (28 minutes). She ranked 9^th in FG Percentage (42.1 percent), 9^th in assists (2.71) and 8^th in steals (1.68) in the final CCAA rankings. She reached double figures in points in 22 of the 28 games and scored in each game.

                        "Reyana will be a focal point for our opposition, but she's also improved her game considerably from a year ago,'' Davis said. "She's grown her game and makes us a more balanced team. She can handle the added pressure. She is the type of player who makes her teammates better.''

                        Anderson (Lake Elsinore) has been a steady presence for the Broncos as she enters her senior season. She played in 26 games with 11 starts including the final eight games of the year when the Broncos played at their best.

                        "Unique is the most improved player on the team,'' Davis said. "She is as athletic as any player I've coached on any level. A lot will ride on her shoulders this season. Our success will rely heavily on how well she can lead us. Has the ability to be a defensive stopper. Can run the court and for her teammates to follow her lead.''

The only other player who saw playing time last season was forward Neha Joshi (Bakersfield). The 5-11 senior saw limited playing time on the court, but did appear in all 28 games for the Broncos.

"Neha is a well-respected player on our team,'' Davis said. "She is a high, energy player who has improved her shooting.''

Senior Ally Smith returns after sitting out last season with a redshirt. She started two seasons (2006-07 and 2005-06) after transferring from Division I Southern Utah. "We would have benefitted by having her on the court a year ago, but not as much as we will this season,'' Davis said. "Ally has an excellent basketball IQ and will help our younger post position players.''

                        The rest of the 2008-09 Broncos are a combination of redshirts, transfers and incoming freshmen.  Thirteen in all round out the roster giving Davis plenty of depth; a quality that will come in quite handy with a 29-game schedule.

"We've got several young players on our squad and they'll have to mature quickly,'' Davis said. "But they all have the ability to play and play well at this level. We'll have a tremendous amount of experience with 11 games by the time January begins.''

Those who redshirted last season with the Bronco program include freshmen forward Stephanie Servin (Anaheim Hills), Portland State-transfer junior guard Stephisha Walton (Vallejo) and junior Danah Smith (North Las Vegas, Nevada/Barstow College). Sophomore guard Emily Nichols (Riverside) played a reserve role last season at San Jose State and junior guard Jessica Duran (Whittier) and forward/center Paulina Kotula (San Jose) played junior college basketball at Fullerton College and San Jose City College, respectively.

Incoming freshman include: guard Rosslyn Beard ( San Francisco), guard Paige Haynes (Riverside), forward Sarah Semenero (Sonoma), guard Jennifer Bryant (San Diego), center Megan Ford (Newhall), center Nicolette Brown (Long Beach) and center Kaitlin Derby (Petaluma).

The season begins rather ambitiously as the Broncos take part in the Disney Tip-off Classic in Anaheim on Nov. 7-9. Their season opener is against Indianapolis, an NCAA Tournament participant on Nov. 7, followed by a game at always-tough North Region force Concordia St. Paul. They complete the tourney against West Region Central Washington.

TheBroncos begin California Collegiate Athletic Association play Dec. 5 at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

"The depth from top to bottom in the CCAA is very solid,'' Davis said. "Any team can expect a battle from any other team in our league. Chico is picked to repeat even with a new coach … but I don't expect them to miss a beat. UC San Diego has turned over its roster and I would expect them to be solid again. Humboldt has almost every player back and Sonoma is always well-coached with a system that the kids buy into.

"Cal State San Bernardino loses its best player, but they'll be in the hunt. We'll find out where we stand immediately real early when we go on the road to L.A. and Dominguez Hills in the first week of league play in December.''

                        All in all, the 2008-09 Bronco team should be a talented and deep team to follow.