CALGARY – A new era for Dinos women's basketball begins Friday night when Damian Jennings makes his CIS debut as head coach when the University of Calgary hosts the Manitoba Bisons.

Action tips off Friday night with an 8 p.m. start, with Saturday's rematch set for 5 p.m. in the Jack Simpson Gym.

Jennings, who has significant international experience as head coach of the British junior national team, replaces Shawnee Harle, who resigned after a 18-year career with the Dinos last spring. With his European perspective on the game, he expects the Dinos to play an up-tempo, high-energy, entertaining brand of basketball.

“We have definitely moved forward in the eight weeks we have been together,” said Jennings, who arrived in Calgary in late August after acting as an assistant coach of the British Olympic team. “The team has been really spot on with the way the players have responded, because I know it's a big change in leadership and culture. I think we're ready for where we're at, we've made enough improvements to compete. We're not at the level of the top teams in CIS yet, but I know we're going to be competitive and the crowd will enjoy the type of basketball we'll play.”

The Dinos are set for their first action that counts since a storybook weekend as hosts of the CIS Final 8 last March. Entering the tournament seeded No. 8, the Dinos upset No. 1 Regina in the quarterfinal and ultimately finished fourth in the nation. Heading into the new campaign, Calgary received votes in the national Top 10, and the Canada West coaches put them right in the middle of the conference in their pre-season poll, projecting an eighth-place finish.

The graduations of guards Jenna Kaye and Megan Lang leave the Dinos with 24 points per game to replace, but they have a trio of fifth-year returning veterans in forwards Jessica Franz and Alex Cole along with guard Megan Schaufele. Franz averaged 11.6 points and seven rebounds for the Dinos last year, while Jarrett was the team's second-leading scorer with 12.4 per game last season when the Dinos went 14-6 in conference play and upset No. 1 Regina in the national quarterfinal at home in the Jack Simpson Gym.

Joining her countryman Jennings in making the trip across the Atlantic, British junior national teamer Kristie Sheils fills the point guard spot for the Dinos. Sheils, who played previously at Palm Beach State College in Florida as well as for a club team in Wales, brings a competitive streak and impressive basketball sense with her to Calgary.

“Kristie would be the first to say she's probably not the most athletic player at her position, but she's one of the smartest basketball players I've ever worked with,” said Jennings. “She thinks about the game and the strategy in her mind and how she makes decisions is probably above her physical skill set. Our job, then, is to maximize what she does physically and she's doing really well at that. She's a competitive, European-level player who has had two very strong international campaigns, and she is already enjoying a leadership role on this team.”

Jennings and the Dinos remain home next weekend to host the Alberta Pandas for a two-game series Thursday-Friday, Nov. 8-9.

2011-12 Regular Season Record: 14-6
2011-12 Regular Season Standings: 3rd, Prairie Division
2012 CW Playoff Record: 0-2
2012 CIS Championship Record: 1-2
Last CW Championship: 2001
Last CIS Championship: 1989

Key departures: Jenna Kaye, Megan Lang
Key returnees: Tamara Jarrett, Alex Cole, Jessica Franz
Key additions: Kristie Sheils, HC Damian Jennings

-UC-