The IUS women’s basketball team has already started practicing for the basketball season and the head coach, Robin Farris, said he is pleased with the team and their development so far this year.

The team this year has 11 returning players, four of which are starters, and six new players.

“We have some new faces and core players returning,” Andrea Chambers, senior forward, said.

Farris and Chambers said they have a tough schedule ahead of them.

“Berea has won our conference the last couple of years,” Farris said. “This year we play IUPUI who is a NCAA, Division I team.”

Farris said the University of St. Francis and Taylor University have strong teams this year.

“You don’t know what kind of recruiting class these teams had this year,” Farris said.

Despite the tough schedule ahead some are optimistic about the season.

“It would be huge if we could win conference this year, a bang,” senior guard, Jenna Richie, said.

Farris focused more on the team and its goals.

“I hate to predict any games,” Farris said, “But the main goal would be for them to play to the best of their abilities and full potential.”

Many of the team’s newcomers have speed, which Farris said will give them more depth and with returning players they have experience this year too.

Richie said IU Southeast has a lot of advantages this season that could help them.

“We have a lot of speed, good shooting guards and point guards,” Richie said. “So hopefully we can dominate down low.”

Chambers and Tiffiani Slaughter, sophomore center, are two of the returning players who led the team in scoring last year.

There are two returning players whom Farris said he hopes will continue to improve this year.

Whitney Duncan, sophomore guard, led the team in steals and Tia Wineinger, sophomore forward, was the third leading rebounder last year.

“[Wineinger] surprised me last year as a freshman,” Farris said. “She runs well and has long arms to deflect passes.”

The team’s first game is Oct. 31.  Their first home game is on Nov. 22 against Kentucky Christian University.

By MARY LYONS
Staff Writer
marlyons@ius.edu