BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball is set to begin practice for the 2014-15 campaign this Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m.
The Mountaineers will start their inaugural Sun Belt season with an entirely new coaching staff, led by head coach Angel Elderkin.
Sunday's practice will be open to the public as Elderkin mentioned in her press conference, but will be changed to 3 p.m. in Varsity Gym. Fans are welcome to stop by and meet the team and new coaching staff, while getting an inside look at the team's preparation for the season.
"Our staff is extremely excited to take the court on Sunday," said Elderkin. "We are one of the few teams in the country to take the court for the first time and we are hungry to start practicing together.
We invite our fans to stop by and experience the energy and excitement surrounding the program."
The Apps return 11 players to the 2014-15 squad and only lose three after going 13-16 during the 2013-14 season. The Mountaineers finished fourth in the Southern Conference, going 10-8 in conference play and losing to Elon in the quarterfinals of the SoCon tournament.
The Mountaineers return senior forward Maryah Sydnor, who led the SoCon in scoring all season long, while earning first-team All-SoCon honors and NCCSIA All-State honors. Sydnor had one of the highest scoring averages in the country last season, recording 19.4 points per game and also grabbing 8.7 rebounds per game.
Sydnor is on track to become one of Appalachian's all-time leading scorers after hitting the 1,000 point mark last season against Radford.
Appalachian will also return junior center KeKe Cooper this season. Cooper had a breakout sophomore season, averaging 10.9 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game. She is joined by junior guard Bria Huffman, who ended the 2013-14 season with 8.2 points per game.
Despite having mulitple lineups last season, the Mountaineers return at least five starters this year including sophomore point guard Joi Jones, senior guard Katie Mallow, junior guard Farrahn Wood and sophomore post player Mia Marshall.
The Apps are joined by Ashley Bassett-Smith this season, a transfer from UT-Martin who sat out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. Bassett-Smith is an athletic 6-2 forward who is expected to make an immediate impact, especially with her talent for blocking shots.
Vernessa Hinnant, a 5-10 guard, joins the Mountaineers this season after transfering from Miami Dade Junior College. The Mountaineers also added two freshmen for the incoming season, including 5-10 guard Madi Story and 5-10 guard Katelyn Doub.
App State will play an exhibition game against Lees-McRae on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Holmes Center before opening the season against Kentucky on Friday, Nov. 14 in Lexington, Ky.
