The Chaminade University women’s basketball team is starting a new season with a new head coach, Travis Brewster.
The team has struggled to win consistently, with just one season out of the last 10 with more than five wins, but the coaching change has given everyone hope. Brewster brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience, and he’s been working hard in the offseason to install a tougher mindset, new systems, and discipline. He wants the team to adopt strong habits, focus on effort, and build a clear identity.
“The biggest part is just to see how well they adjust to the concepts and being able to see them grow,” Brewster said, adding that he believes that by staying focused and working hard, the team can make big improvements.
The team has started the season 0-2 but will play UC Merced on Saturday in McCabe Gym. Tipoff is 12 p.m.
“I’m old school, man,” he said. “Hard work and grit. We’ve got to be tough.”
At first, some players found it hard to adapt to Brewster’s style. Before the season started, they spent a month training on the track to get in shape.
“My experience so far working with my new coach has definitely been interesting but good, but it was a struggle at first,” said Alyssa Schuetze, a junior guard. “How he coaches with a purpose teaching us new ways getting rid of the old habits we had last year.”
Another player, junior guard Dezaray Carter, agreed that the adjustment has been tough.
“The transition was pretty hard at first because of how different his coaching style is, but things are running smoothly now,” Carter said. “He has been coaching for so many years. His ways of coaching will impact us greatly in helping us accomplish our goals this year.”
One of the team’s top goals this season is to make the PacWest Tournament, something it couldn’t do last year. Both Schuetze and Carter mentioned that Brewster emphasizes accountability and wants the team to play as one unit. Even though the changes were challenging, the players feel their chemistry is growing stronger. They point to practice, workouts, and spending time together off the court as key to improving trust and communication.
“Our team chemistry is coming together,” Carter said. “The more we hang out on and off the court, the better we get to know each other.”
The women’s basketball team will have a big rebuilding process as the Lady Swords lost four of their top seven scorers from last year’s 6-20 team. The top three scorers — Sameera Elmasri, Morgan Escobedo and Kali Jones — also led the team in rebounding.
Scheutze, a 5-foot-11 guard, is the top returning scorer and is leading Chaminade in scoring (11.5 ppg) in the first two games. Julien Parado (10.5 ppg), a junior guard from Ewa Beach, and Maddy Weaver (8 ppg and 6 rpg), a 6-2 sophomore forward, are the other top returners.
Overall, the players say that while the switch to a new coach has been difficult, they believe Brewster’s approach focused on effort and toughness will give them a better chance to succeed. They also value unity and leadership, and together they hope to become a stronger, more connected team.
Chaminade will start PacWest Conference competition on Dec. 2 against rival Hawaii Pacific University.