Oct. 16, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford women's basketball team opened practice for the 2009-10 season with a two and a half-hour workout Friday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.

Samford head coach Mike Morris, who enters his eighth season as the program's head coach, said his team got off to a good start as it prepares for the upcoming season.

"I thought it was a very productive and efficient practice," Morris said. "Our energy level was good, which you expect for the first day. We just need to keep that going. Overall, I think it was a really good practice."

Samford returns four of five starters and eight of 12 letterwinners from a team that posted a 22-7 overall record last season. The Bulldogs set a program record with 16 conference wins (16-4) in their first season in the Southern Conference.

Seniors Megan Wilderotter and Monica Maxwell, and juniors Emily London and Savannah Hill return to the team as starters. Non-starters J'Quita Babineaux, Jazmine Powers, Paige Anderson and Alex Crow also return to the squad.

The Bulldogs lost one starter, forward Chika Okoli, and three non-starters, Jennifer Elkins, Sara Nuxol and Karmen Smith from last year's team.

Morris said he was pleased that the players came back in good shape for the start of practice.

"Our players have come back to practice in very good shape," Morris said. "That is a tribute to both our players and our strength and conditioning coach, Ellen Rehme. They have done a tremendous job with their workouts over the last five weeks."

The Bulldogs welcome four newcomers to this year's team. Jazmine Martin (G, 5-7, Fr., Hoover, Ala.), Ruth Ketcham (G, 5-8, So., Auburn University), Kylie Black (F, 6-3, Fr., Danville, Ala.) and Hannah Dawson (F, 5-11, Fr., Shelbyville, Tenn.) join the team this season, though Ketcham will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Morris said the newcomers impressed him during their first collegiate practice on Friday.

"The freshmen stepped right in like they have been here for a while," Morris said.

Samford opens the 2009-10 regular season on Nov. 13, when the Bulldogs play host to in-state rival Jacksonville State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Pete Hanna Center.