BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University women's basketball kicks off the season on Sunday with the first official practice of 2016-17.

The Apps will practice in the Holmes Center from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and is open to the public/media. Appalachian is coming off a 10-20 season and a 7-13 mark in the Sun Belt Conference in 2015-16.

However, in head coach Angel Elderkin's third season, the Apps are poised to make a run at the Sun Belt Championship as they return 11 of 13 student-athletes who played last season and 13 of 15 overall. Already adding depth to a deep squad are four highly talented freshmen who expect to contribute right away.

WHO RETURNS: App State will return 88.5 percent of its scoring output while bringing back 68.6 percent of the team's rebounding and 89.4 percent of the squad's assist production. The top three scorers in Joi Jones (13.0 ppg), Madi Story (12.0) and Kaila Craven (9.2 ppg) are all back for the Mountaineers. Also returning are Bria Carter, Ashley Bassett-Smith and Mia Marshall.

WHO'S NEW: The Apps will have six newcomers as four freshmen and two eligible student-athletes will add depth to the Black and Gold. Cydni Cole and Q. Murray transferred from George Mason and will give Appalachian added scoring and defense, while the quartet of Bayley Plummer, Armani Hampton, Brooklyn Allen and Mikaya Wilson will help coach Elderkin have plenty of lineups to put on the floor.

OUTLOOK: Appalachian will begin the season with two exhibition games against Coker (Nov. 2) and Lenoir-Rhyne (Nov. 7) before traveling to Chicago to open the weekend in a tournament hosted by DePaul. The Apps will play the Blue Demons on Friday, Nov. 11 to open the campaign. DePaul advanced to the Sweet 16 last season en route to winning 27 games.