By Kyle Charters
Asst. Sports Editor

While the Boilers are still disappointed about their second round loss in the NCAA tournament on Monday, they know they have four returning starters and a lot to look forward to next season.

"Anytime that you lose, the hurt doesn't go away over night," said Purdue coach Kristy Curry. "But hopefully it will be a blessing in disguise and that will motivate all of us to throughout the summer to continue to work hard in every aspect of our responsibilities — players and coaches."

There may be no other player who wants to work harder than guard Katie Douglas. But the junior, who struggled during the Boilers' two NCAA tournament games and scored just 16 points, will have to wait at least 2—3 months before starting off—season conditioning. Because of loose ligaments in her right knee, she will have surgery on April 14.

After the surgery, Douglas will begin to focus on next season.

"We're definitely excited," said Douglas, who averaged 20.4 points per game this season. "The only thing we can do is use this as motivation for working hard in the post—season and pre—season and knowing how this feels and not let that happen again."

The Boilers' four returning starters don't want to experience an upset loss again, especially one in Mackey Arena. Douglas and Shinika Parks will be seniors next year and Kelly Komara will be a junior; Those three will help comprise Purdue's backcourt. Senior—to—be Camille Cooper will again start at center for the Boilers.

"We have just a great returning nucleus," said Curry.

Curry said she is pleased with the returnees in part because of their improvement during the season. They went from being role players on the championship team in 1999 to integral pieces of this season's squad.

For the first few games this season, Cooper struggled to adjust to her role as an offensive threat. But Curry said as Cooper grew more confident, she performed better. And in Purdue's loss to Oklahoma on Monday, Cooper scored a career—high 34 points.

"Especially the last game, she did show how far she has come," said Curry. "The biggest thing about her is that at times she just willed us to win. She just really elevated her game throughout the year."