CORVALLIS -- During practice after practice three years ago, Marie Gulich found it nearly impossible to get off her shot.
The 6-foot-5 Cologne, Germany, native is now the top returning scorer and the lone senior on the Oregon State women's basketball team, making her a central figure as the Beavers start their season at 2 p.m. Friday while replacing several key pieces from their Sweet 16 team.
But it was not long ago that two-time Pac-12 defensive player of the year Ruth Hamblin swatted away shot after shot in practice as a cold introduction to the college basketball world, showing no on-court sympathy for her younger, flummoxed teammate.