No sophomore jinx for Jayne

CSTV analyst Lara Boyko says, "Of all the jinxes and curses in college sports, there's one that women's basketball players who are the reigning Freshman of the Year from each conference need to be wary of -- the Sophomore Jinx."

Here's her take on the expectations and history that Jayne carries with her into the 2007-08 season:

Out on the Farm in Northern California, Jayne Appel made her presence in the Pac-10 known immediately during the 2006-07 season. She finished third on the club in scoring (13.2 ppg), and rebounding (7.5 repg), led the team with 61 blocks - which established a single-season school record.

"I was excited and honor that I could get that recognition during my freshman year, but to be honest I have to give all the credit to my teammates," said Appel. "I definitely wanted to be a big player in the conference, but it wasn't like I set out to win Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. I hope that there is not a Sports Illustrated-like curse associated with it. If that's the case, it should go to the overall Freshman of the Year, Tina Charles, who is a good friend of mine."

Stanford may lead the way in the Pac-10 with four of the last 10 Freshmen of the Year suiting up in cardinal and white, but with four of the last 10 Freshmen of the Year from the previous season going on to become the Player of the Year and six of the last 10 Freshman of the Year from the previous season being named to the All- Pac-10 team during their sophomore year, big things are expected for this presence in the paint.

"She had an outstanding freshman year, is very talented, a big, strong player who played with two other great post players," said Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. "Now she is in there by herself and she needs to stay on the court. From eliminating silly fouls she will pick up, finishing better, shooting a higher percentage from the field and the free-throw line, scoring more, rebounding more and I think her defense will be key for us."

Fortunately if the pressure of living up to a tremendous freshman year starts to wear on her, Appel has the resource of the 2004-05 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year on the court to help her out.

"I haven't had a chance to sit down with her, but you don't need to tell her that kind of stuff as she stays motivated and hungry," said Candice Wiggins, who is a former Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year. "She was disappointed by last year's loss, but she knows people are going to know who she is and won't be able to surprise people. I may have to reiterate that with her this year, but that's probably the biggest difference."