“We are pleased with the progress Dan has made with the women’s basketball program,” Wanless said. “The evidence is in the team’s increased competitiveness and improved win-loss record. We are excited about the energy and passion he brings to the program and we are looking forward to the future.”

The 2004-05 season was a breakthrough year for the Hornets, who had arguably their best season in close to a decade. The team finished the year 8-20 and made its first Big Sky postseason appearance since the 1996-97 season.

“I am thankful and appreciative of the opportunity given to me two years ago to be the head coach at Sacramento State,” Muscatell said. “Although we still have a lot of work to do in order to build the program to where we would like it to be, the vote of confidence that comes with this contract extension demonstrates support from the athletic administration to get the job done.”

This past season, the Hornets posted four wins against Big Sky competition, a feat that had not been matched since the 1999-00 squad. The team also posted a sweep against Big Sky foe Eastern Washington with victories over the Eagles on Feb. 3 and March 5. It was only the second time the Hornets had swept a Big Sky opponent since joining the conference in 1996.

“I am blessed to work with a great staff, terrific student-athletes and wonderful support personnel within the Sacramento community,” Muscatell said. “We’re looking forward to competing for a Big Sky championship in the very near future.”

Another large accomplishment for the team this past season was its two Big Sky victories on the road, a feat no Hornet team had produced since joining the conference in 1996. Sacramento State also held its opponents to just 64.0 points per game, the lowest opponent scoring average in Division I program history.

On the offensive end of the floor, the Hornets also set new program records. From behind the arc, the team sank 149 three-pointers, eclipsing the old mark of 147 from the 1995-96 season. Sacramento State also set a new program record with a .367 three-point field goal percentage, besting the old mark of .351 set during the 1995-96 season. The team’s 500 turnovers were also the fewest committed in Div. I program history.

The Hornets also saw their first player since the 2000-01 season make the Big Sky all-conference team. After averaging 10. 8 points per game, sophomore guard Kim Sheehy not only received all-conference honors, but was also named co-Big Sky Newcomer of the Year. The Santa Fe, N.M., native’s 55 three-pointers rank her second in program history for treys in a single season.

Muscatell, an Everett, Wash., native, was hired in 2003 after serving as an assistant coach for four years at Oregon. He will be entering his third season with Sacramento State and in the last two years he has posted a record of 9-46. In the three seasons prior to Muscatell’s arrival, the program had compiled just six wins.