CHADRON, Neb. -- With seven players returning from last year's team which won eight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games, hopes are high that the Chadron State College women will take another step forward and reach postseason play this winter.

Three seniors and two sophomores who were in the primary rotation a year ago give the Eagles a solid nucleus.  It's also hoped that a pair of juniors who have earned two letters apiece, can provide some good minutes off the bench.

Coach Tim Connealy has added five newcomers whose contributions also will be critical to the team's success.

The Lady Eagles will begin their season Sunday, Nov. 15 at the University of Wyoming.  They will host Augustana and Nebraska-Kearney the following weekend on Nov. 20 and 21, respectively.

Connealy believes if the Eagles stay healthy they'll have a good season, maybe even a great one. Consistency was an issue last year, but the coach says that seems better this season because experienced players are available at every position.  Last year's team had just two seniors.

Each of this year's seniors played an average of at least 24 minutes and scored at least 23 points in a game last season. They are guards Emma Block, who averaged 10.1 points, and Stephanie Knowles, who averaged 9.7, and forward Allegria Chisom, who chipped in 7.7.

A native of Denmark, Block played point guard most of last season, but has moved to off-guard, where she seems more comfortable. Connealy said Block's shot selection and defense have improved.

Block is scrappy, drawing enough fouls to go to the free throw line 104 times, a high number for a guard.  She made 80 of those shots for a team-best 77 percent.

Knowles is extremely athletic and her 54.3 field goal percentage last year led the RMAC and is the Chadron State record. She also paced the Eagles by wide margins in both assists (63) and steals (57).

"We're expecting great things from Stephanie," Connealy said. "She's done an incredible job of providing leadership."

Chisom also is athletic and gave a glimpse of what she's capable of doing by scoring 25 points while hitting 10 of 13 field goal shots in an overtime win at New Mexico Highlands.

"We want Allegria to be more assertive on offense," the coach said. "She's capable of doing a lot." 

Based on what they did as freshmen, much is expected from the two sophomores.       

Maka Daysh, the 6-1 center from New Zealand, averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds while giving the Eagles a special force around the basket. She's strong, aggressive and has a soft shooting touch.  Opponents found out they needed to try to stop her.  She shot 155 free throws last season, second most in the conference, and was 12-12 at the line in a late-season contest.

The other sophomore, Kayla Mathews, one of two Australians on the team, is expected to be the Eagles' floor general. The coach said she seems much more confident and is looking for her shot more often.

The juniors are guard Havannah Newens and post Maddie Metzger. Both averaged about 10 minutes and just over three points last year.   Both are expected to play more this season. Connealy said Newens is one of the smartest players he's ever worked with and said Metzger's conditioning and overall game are much improved.

A pair of transfers from Indian River State in Florida are being counted on to give the team a big boost.

Guard Erin Graham averaged nearly 11 points and five rebounds last season and forward Jasmine Hill averaged about seven points and rebounds and is an excellent defender, the coach said.

Help at point guard is expected from Keren Boyce, a 5-4 sophomore transfer who has lived much of her life in Israel.  Connealy said she's crafty and has excellent quickness.

Wyoming returns 5-7 senior Marquelle Dent, who at 17.7 points a game was the leading scorer on last year's 16-14 team.  Another senior is 5-9 Jordan Kelley, who averaged 7.6 points and 7.1 rebounds a year ago.

The Cowgirls thumped Adams State 90-41 in an exhibition game last week.