EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Over to the women’s basketball team, it’s a different story. They are coming off their best season at the division one level, and return nearly every player from last year’s squad.

The continuity is one of the biggest strengths for a team that was very successful last year, but this team is not about to get ahead of themselves either. With key players like Meredith Raley and Vanessa Shafford back for one more go around, and they don’t want to let it fly by.

“It was obviously a special year, but just understanding that it’s a new year, and it’s bittersweet that my time here at USI is coming to an end, but I’m just going to enjoy every moment,” said Senior Guard Vanessa Shafford.

“I’m so excited for this season to get started, but I’m not wishing for any of this away. I think a lot of us are just taking each moment at a time and just really working to get better as a team,” said Graduate Forward Meredith Raley.

“People think that you put them all back together and everything is going to be just where it was and is going to look the same, and it hasn’t. We’re a different team, but it has been fun to see how this team has grown and changed,” said Head Coach Rick Stein.

One of the big areas of growth is the progression of Rising Sophomore Trinity Ralston.

“I think I just learned a lot from our upperclassmen. They taught me a lot, especially in the practices, and games too,” said Sophomore Guard Trinity Ralston. “We want to make it back to the big tournament. We want to get in the dance again, OVC tournament, and then try and make it to the WNIT again.”

“I think we are putting the work in right now to meet those goals, but we have our own expectations and I think we are working in a positive direction to those,” said Graduate Forward Madi Webb.

The team starts off the season on November 4th as they host Brescia University.

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