When official practice started a month ago, the DePauw women's basketball team were focused on today, when they will face University of Wisconsin-Stout at Dunn's Sporting Goods Tip-Off Tournament in Milwaukee.
The team is ranked high in the preseason polls, and head coach Kris Huffman, winner of least 20 games in each of 10 straight seasons, has a game plan to finish the tournament with success.
Last season, DePauw lost its only game against Stout in history and is eager to redeem itself.
"We need to stay patient and aggressive," Huffman said. "On the defensive end, Stout goes transition offense, so we need to get back."
The Tigers are staying focused and are ready to face their tough competition.
"Preseason is going pretty well," senior guard Kate Walker said. "It takes a few practices before things start clicking and things are flowing more smoothly now."
Losing graduates Kathryn Denbow and Katie Aldrich, NCAC's 2011-2012 Player of the Year and All-American, leaves a hole low in the paint. Aldrich led the team in scoring with 11.8 points per game and was second on the team in rebounds with 6.4
"It's a new year, a new team, new challenges await us," Huffman said. "We just need to find our identity."
The team's work ethic matches Huffman's expectations due to the senior leadership.
"Katie did the leadership things right," Walker said. "The three seniors this year have to figure out how to replace the leadership. She's someone that will be hard to replace but not impossible."
The graduation of two great players last year brought the addition of seven new freshmen to the team, mainly post players.
"They have already made an impact at practice and will continue all season long," Huffman said. "They are learning to play at the college level."
Although the team had a successful season last year, winning all but two season games and making it to the second round of the NCAA Div. III tournament (where they lost to Carthage 53-48), they are striving to advance farther this year and repeat their 2007 National Championship title.
The Tigers were 16-0 in the team's first season in the NCAC and look to repeat that effort.
"We know it's our last year, and we know we have nothing to lose at this point," senior guard Kathleen Molloy said. "You can clearly see that you need to give it your all, focus on the team and go forward."