After under going their first losing season in recent memory, the Southern Oregon University Raiders Women’s Basketball team is in high hopes that won’t happen again this year.

Heading into their second week on the court, Lynn Kennedy and the rest of the squad is preparing for the  November 2nd regular season opener against Calfornia Marintime Academy.

“It is rare as a coach to say that you are ready for your first game- but we are definitely ready and prepared to start the season today,” said Kennedy, “The team is right on track before our first games and the new players are adjusting well to our system and practices.”

The 2011 Raiders squad was plaqued with injuries en route to a 14-16 on the season and 5-13 in Cascade Collegiate Conference onference play.  Unheard of from a squad that had a combined record of 90-38 overall and 50-26 in conference between 2007 and 2010.

But the road to get back to glory will be a challenging one with only five returning players from last year’s squad.  The Raiders started the rehabing process and started their  conditioning program early on in the summer to make sure they were in shape and in full swing come the start of practice.

“I was really impressed at our conditiong/strength training sessions in pre-season after we returned from summer break.” Kennedy said, “I know that preparation will help us be successful this year.”

The road back to the playoffs and back to glory, starts at a day-to-day basis leading up to the big picture.

“Daily focus and preparation in practice.  If we compete at a high level during our practice sessions and stay focused and play as a team- we will be successful.” Kennedy said, “Every year- our goal is to win the conference championship. If you win the conference- you receive an automatic bid to nationals.”

Once you get their, Kennedy said, you’ll take it one day at a time.

This has been the goal as the Raiders move forward and focus on these goals as they move forward through the season.

Whom shall we see through the court this year for the Ladies in Red?

Seniors Krissy Copeland, Molly Doran, Angelica Cahee and Haley Newell give the Raiders the expierence and a soild foundation.  Allison Gida, Hanka Musa and Melissa Sweat all came in with Division 1 expierence and talents. 

Kiara Moore and Alexi Smith have been in the program and know the expectations that  Kennedy has set for the team and know what the Raiders are all about.

The new faces and the future of the Raiders feature Ashley Claussen, Carly Meister, Krisitn Smeaton, Lauryn Lesina, Katie Aguilar and Whitney Carlos.

Heading into preseason, the expectations are high as the Raiders are opening up exhibition play against the Raider Alumni’s on Friday night at 7pm then a friendly exhibition game against the University of Oregon on October 30th in Eugene before the Women’s Classic Season Opening Classic on November 2nd.