If there was one thing that seemed to ring in the voices of the coaches and players at the women's basketball team's media day yesterday, it was that this team has unfinished business.

"Everyone involved knows what they want to accomplish this season and they are coming in with confidence," UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "We have a lot of young players who have yet to prove themselves in a college game, but at the same time we have a core group of solid veterans. We are going to make strides this season. Whether they are big or small, that will be determined as the season continues."

The Wildcats are entering what is perhaps the most highly anticipated season in the history of the program. Last season they finished 22-8, turning what was bitterness at not making the NCAA Tournament into a positive, sweeping through the field to captur e their first ever post-season championship by winning the National Women's Invitational Tournament.

The Wildcats open the season with an exhibition game Nov. 3 against the Slovakian National Team at McKale Center.

Bonvicini said the team will continue to use last season's disappointment as a motivator this season. That attitude will be tested almost immediately as it travels to San Francisco on Nov. 15 to open the season. It is the first game of the Preseason Women 's NIT, which has a 16-team field, including defending national champion Tennessee, regional finalist Louisiana Tech and Sweet 16 teams Kansas and Iowa.

The tough schedule is a far cry from the nonconference schedule the Wildcats had last season. Bonvicini said that in part it was a reaction to not making the Tournament last season. The Wildcats got off to a hot start last year that many said was a reflec tion of a light schedule.

"I have no regrets about our schedule last season because I know it was right for our team," Bonvicini said.

Redshirt freshman Lisa Griffith is penciled in as the point guard, replacing departed senior Brenda Pantoja, who led the nation in assists with 9.3 per game last season. Griffith is coming off an injury suffered last season and has been able to practice with the team at full speed since January.

The Wildcat newcomers include three true freshmen: 5-foot-10 guard Reshea Bristol, from Omaha, Neb.; 5-10 Kate Crane, from Taft, Calif.; and 5-7 Felecity Willis, from Apple Valley, Calif.

Arizona returns one senior, Jacque Barrington, who married former UA baseball player Shawn Barrington over the summer, and five juniors: center Marte Alexander, forward Adia Barnes, forward Mikko Giordano, forward Fatima Imara and guard DeAngela Minter.

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