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A promising start for the No.1-ranked team in the country ended abruptly for the women's basketball team last season after being upset in the second round of the NCAA tournament in March.
A year later, the team must replace several components that were vital in winning 23 of its 28 games, but the Warhawks have taken a step forward and are prepared for a fresh start.
"Losing to St. Benedicts last year was hard, and being a senior, we don't want to see that happen again," senior guard Kelsey Hendrickson said. "We have worked very hard in practice and in the weight room to make sure we are ready for this season."
The 'Hawks were ranked No. 8 in D3hoops.com's preseason poll and return key players like Hendrickson, who has been named first team All-WIAC twice.
She is joined in the backcourt by fellow senior captain Heidi Sonntag, which gives head coach Keri Carollo an experienced duo.
"It is great to have a backcourt that is as seasoned as they are," Carollo said. "We have great leadership with those two on the floor, and they know what it takes to be successful."
Sonntag said Hendrickson and herself adjust their play to fit game situations.
"On the court, we just want to get wins," Sonntag said. "Whether that means we have to score a lot, or have a lot of assists, we're going to do anything to help this team win."
The 'Hawks got a victory in the season opener last Tuesday behind senior Nicole Bundy's 32 points. For success to continue, Sonntag said older and younger players will have to contribute.
"We will also need contributions from some of the younger players, and we'll need them to step up and fill some of the spots vacated by last year's senior class," Sonntag said.
Perhaps the biggest roster opening from last season is at center, where Tiffany Morton's dominant play earned her first team All-WIAC and honorable mention All-American honors.
Carollo said she isn't looking for another Morton, just another center.
"We will never replace Tiffany, but we will be looking for Dana Thompson to step into that role as well as a couple of incoming freshmen," she said.
Initially, the players will adjust to playing away from Whitewater. Ten of the first 11 games are on the road.
Senior Kelly Beese sees this as a challenge.
"Away games are always more difficult than home games," Beese said. "I know we love a challenge, so I think our away games are going to be exciting this year."
Tonight, the 'Hawks travel to Iowa to play Coe College at 7. The team will stay in Iowa for two games this weekend against Buena Vista University and Simpson College.
The team's lone home game of the semester is Dec. 2 against UW-La Crosse, but Carollo doesn't want the players to think ahead.
"Expectations are to take one game at a time," Carollo said. "We set goals for the season as a team and we look to improve with each game."
Despite the approach, the team has big aspirations.
"We have high expectations," Hendrickson said. "We are looking to win a conference championship and make it back into the NCAA tournament."
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