New Coach Debuts With UCLA Women

UCLA begins its first women’s basketball season without Billie Moore on the bench since 1976 today when Kathy Olivier’s first team begins its season against UC Santa Barbara at noon in Pauley Pavilion.

Moore resigned last spring after 16 seasons. Moore’s last team finished sixth in the Pacific 10 with an 8-10 record, 13-14 overall.

Among UCLA’s returning players is Natalie Williams, a national player-of-the-year candidate. The 6-foot-1 low-post standout was third in the nation in rebounding last year.

Olivier, an assistant to Moore for seven seasons, has two other returning starters, Amy Jalewalia and Zrinka Kristich.