GILBERT, Ariz. - The OUAZ women's basketball team wanted to start well as the program entered its third season. That goal was off to a good start on Monday night.

Junior guard Kirsten Shinske scored 27 points to go along with eight rebounds, and freshman Kate Sokolova added 18 points to help the Spirit take down Park-Gilbert at San Tan Charter School. OUAZ has won the season opener in all three seasons of existence.

There have been lots of changes for the team over the past offseason, which included nine new players and a brand new head coach. Monday was a refreshing start to the brand new campaign.

"I'm happy about how [the Spirit] played," Shinske said. "This is a new team this year, we're starting from scratch pretty much, so I'm just happy about how much they worked hard and how much we kept our heads in the game."

OUAZ outscored Park in each of the first three quarters, including a 35-point showing in the third. The Buccaneers won the fourth quarter, 18-14, but at that point the Spirit had put the game well out of reach.

Sokolova had eight rebounds to go along with her 18 points, and had four assists and two blocks. Taylor Davis was one point away from a double-double, as she had nine points to go along with 10 rebounds. Davis was the game's leading rebounder.

The next time the Spirit take the court will be on Friday for an exhibition against NCAA Division 1 opponent Southern Utah. Tipoff from Cedar City, Utah is scheduled for 6:30pm.