If there was one key to the women's basketball team's ascent to the pinnacle of Division III basketball in the past four years, it was center Caitlin Malcolm '07. A four-time all-University Athletic Association selection and three-time All-American, Malcolm completed her Brandeis career last year as the school's all-time leading scorer and led the team in rebounding each of the past three seasons.

So how do the Judges plan to fill the 6-foot center's fittingly large size-10 shoes this season?

"It means everyone has to step up," coach Carol Simon said. "We have six post players, and everyone will have to produce."

The Judges will have one rookie inside-Amber Strodthoff '11-but return five veteran frontcourt players including a trio of juniors, Lauren Orlando '09, Cassidy Dadaos '09 and Amanda Wells '09.

The experience each player brings will be important to the success of the Judges' rotating post scheme this season.

"With the quick-paced game we are going to be playing this year, the [post players] will be rotating in and out because we are really deep in that position," Orlando said.

Because there are several potential candidates for two starting positions in the post, the Judges will use their rotation as a means to create a faster, more athletic style of play.

"You will see a much more balanced attack," guard Jaime Capra '08 said. "Our [post players] are very athletic, and we are working on getting up and down the court a lot faster, but we are still going to try to work the ball inside and out."

In Malcolm's time at Brandeis, the Judges used inside players like Malcolm, Christine Clancy '06 and Danielle Fitzpatrick '04 as keys to their rise to the top of the UAA. Last season, however, the offense became more perimeter-oriented, as Malcolm saw her numbers drop to 11.6 points and 6.5 rebounds points per game from 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds two seasons ago. Still, with the star center gone, Simon insists that the Judges' post scheme will remain intact.

"You can't cry about it when [players] leave and you don't make major changes," Simon said. "Sometimes we make adjustments, but we play within a system and players have to work within the system. We've always had great post players, and overall we are not changing major things."

Players agree, explaining that life after Malcolm means the Judges are a different team, but one that will still play with its signature style.

"We are known as a big and rough team in the [UAA]," Orlando said. "I feel like we are still just as physical, and good players come and go so it's just a readjustment. We have to move on and get the job done with or without her.