The women’s basketball team is expecting to have an improved season after being knocked out by Incarnate Word in the Lone Star Conference postseason tournament quarterfinals last season.

”[Against Incarnate Word] we were able to make a comeback but, we still lost,” said Noel Johnson, women’s basketball coach. “We felt that we should have won that game. We’re going to have a little bit of a spark this season from that.”

The Lady Mustangs goals for this season are not only to clinch the conference and the regional title,  but also win the national championship as well.

“We need to improve on our basketball knowledge since we’re playing against the game,” said Johnson. “We also need to improve on our physical condition in order to stay healthy and injury-free.”

MSU is without four starters who made a great impact last season, but Johnson sees impending quality in a handful of the returning players.

“Everything is coming together quickly due to the athleticism we now have,” she said. “I feel like the offense will come quickly to these girls, but defense is what’s going to create that offensive force.”

The Lady Mustangs look to change their style of play and adapt to the athleticism they now possess.

“We’re going to play fast,” Johnson said. “We look to run a pretty high-powered offense this season, and we’re going to be looking to take it to the hole for more layups. Defensively, we’re going to press hard and really look to be aggressive with jump passes. We’ll also look to run a trap out of our press.”

Johnson said she believes the group of girls on this team are just right for this style of play and has noted several key players to the formula.

“We have some promising new players as well as promising returners like Kirsti Degelia, who was all conference honorable mention,” said Johnson. “I’m expecting big things from her, not only from a scoring standpoint but also from a leadership standpoint.”

Several other key players will aid Degelia.

Diana Jones is expected to run point guard as well as set the tempo as a scorer and a defensive stopper.

Shambreka Jones’ athleticism and absolute power is also essential to the Lady Mustangs play.

Shatoia Gober portrays scoring and rebounding qualities thus she is distinguished as an offensive threat.

Johnson sees Andrea Carter as a scorer and a power in the post while Ashley Rush is depicted as a great leader and an incredible point guard who scores really well.

“We’re going to have an athletic first five for sure,” said Johnson. “I am looking for some big things from those kids.”

This well-coached team knows that the path to victory will not be an easy, especially in the crowded Lone Star Conference.

Competition will be stiff for the Lady Mustangs, especially amongst their rival teams.

“There’s always a heated battle between Tarleton State, West Texas, Abilene Christian,” Johnson commented.

“We know we’re going to go to a hostile environment everywhere we go.

You have to bring your A-game on the road for sure.”

After tough preseason training sessions, the Lady Mustangs are ready to square-off with these rivals on their road to their potential national championship.

The Lady Mustangs will kick-off their season this Sunday at Texas Tech in Lubbock.

Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

The next game for the Lady Mustangs will be Nov. 9, when they return to D.L. Ligon Coliseum to take on McMurray.

Tip-off for that game will be at 7 p.m.