Kim Bunge Arkansas Hoops
For the second consecutive year, Matilda Willis kept Arkansas undefeated at Barnhill Arena. This was the first year for Southwest Conference women’s basketball, with the emphasis on the postseason tournament and a single-round robin regular-season format. This also marked the first year of NCAA participation for the Razorbacks as Arkansas elected to compete under AIAW rules until the demise of the national women’s collegiate organization in 1982.
Italy
1982-83
Front row, from left: Kelly Lipe, manager; Debra Williams, Connie Fitzgerald, Doris Gaiser, Erma Greer, Tamara Mathis, DeAnn Henry, Cheryl Orcholski, Nancy Stevens, trainer. Back row, from left: Marsha Van Parys, manager; Matilda Willis, head coach; Bettye Fiscus, Mary Munsch, Anne Luostarien, Kim Bunge, Amanda Holley, Paula Phillips, Sherri Boeller, John Sutherland, assistant coach; Lisa Parker, assistant coach.
Staff
Erma Greer
1983-84
Front row, from left: Debra Williams, Cheryl Orcholski, Tamara Mathis, Doris Gaiser, Valecia Fore. Kneeling, from left: Sheila Burkes, Bettye Fiscus, Erma Greer, Tracy Webb, Mary Munsch. Standing, from left: manager Rita Ivie, trainer Nancy Stevens, assistant coach John Sutherland, Amanda Holley, Anna Luostarinen, Monica Brown, manager Kelly Lipe, manager Sammie Baird, head coach Matilda Willis.
All-time leading scorer Bettye Fiscus The 1984-85 season was a passing of the torch as the first generation of star players at Arkansas, led by all-time leading scorer Bettye Fiscus, played their senior year. At the same time, the next wave led by sophomores like Tracy Webb and Sheila Burkes were becoming key players for the Razorbacks.
Razorbacks Review RECORDS HISTORY
Riding one of the nation’s longest home winning streaks, Matilda Willis sought out a major test for her growing program. By hosting the defending national champion Lady Techsters for the home opener, Arkansas saw its 21-game, three-year Barnhill streak end to No. 2 La. Tech. The tough non-conference schedule got Arkansas prepared for the first full double-round robin SWC slate. In one of the early program’s epic games, a buzzer-beating final shot rimmed out against No. 1 ranked Texas, allowing the Longhorns to escape Fayetteville by one point and continue what would become the longest conference win streak in women’s basketball history. However, Arkansas would finish that task six years later in Austin.
OPPONENT INFO/RECORDS
1984-85
Front row, from left: Brenda Rhodes, Tracy Webb, Dianna Harris, Bettye Fiscus, Doris Gaiser. Middle row: assistant coach Journey Beard, manager Sammie Baird, Cindy Daley, Debra Williams, Erma Greer, Tina Brewer, trainer Nancy Stevens. Back row: head coach John Sutherland, manager Cynthia Mathis, Tamara Mathis, Monica Brown, Tracey Hutchinson, Bronwyn Wynn, Sheila Burkes, manager Rita Ivie, asst. coach Joey Anders.
UNIVERSITY
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