SPEARFISH - "Shielded optimism" are the words Black Hills State women's basketball coach Mark Nore used to describe the 2007-08 season's outlook for the Lady Yellow Jackets.
"We feel we'll be better defensively," Nore said. "Offensively, with Brittney (Klipfel) gone, Lacey (Dojcinovic) Snjezana (Haughian) will have to be more offensive-minded for us to be successful.
"We're more athletic, longer and have more experience. This is the most experienced team we've had since I've been coach at Black Hills.
"We need our freshmen players to step up," Nore said. "Brittany (Fuhrman) needs to get touches on the offensive end.
"On offense, we need to get the ball to the right people."
Black Hills State faces a tough schedule with six of its opponents ranked in the top 25 in the NAIA Division II preseason poll.
"Our non-conference schedule is very competitive," Nore said. "It will get us ready for the Dakota Athletic Conference."
The Yellow Jackets tip off the season by hosting 2007 Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament champion Mount Marty at 5:30 p.m. today at the Young Center. The Lady Lancers are No. 17 in the nation. Black Hills State lost in overtime in last year's contest in Yankton.
Mount Marty is led by Tevan Wenbourne, one of the nation's best point guards.
On Sunday, Black Hills State entertains GPAC foe Dakota Wesleyan at 2 p.m.
"They (Tigers) are an athletic team," Nore said. "We'll have an advantage inside. It will be a game of speed and quickness against size."
The Stingers face road contests versus No. 7 Mid-America Nazarene on Nov. 17 in the Midland Lutheran Tournament in Fremont, Neb., and No. 5 Northwestern (Iowa) College on Nov. 24 in Orange City, Iowa.
BHSU hosts NCAA Division II foes Southwest, Minn. State and Chadron State on Nov. 19 and Dec. 1, respectively.
"We have more home games than last year," Nore said.
The Lady Jackets open the DAC season at South Dakota Mines on Dec. 5. The Lady Hardrockers are ranked 16th in the national poll.
Coach Nore listed Dakota State as the favorite in the DAC. The Lady T's are No. 9 in the nation. Mayville State is ranked 24th.
"There's going to be a lot of quality teams and a lot of parity in the conference," Nore said. "Jamestown College has everybody back from last year. Mines and Dakota State each lost only one player. The DAC should be exciting."
Returning letterwinners for Black Hills State are seniors: Lacey Haughian, 6-foot-2 forward; Snjezana Dojcinovic, 6-foot-2 forward; Lindsey Buthe, 5-foot-11 forward; juniors Alexis Krull, 5-foot-4 guard; Steph Baier, 5-foot-8, guard; sophomores Brittany Fuhrman, 5-foot-6, guard; Alana Dykhouse, 6-foot forward; Bayley Chevron, 5-foot-7 guard.
Newcomers are freshmen Katelyn Lamb, 5-foot-9 guard; Courtney Johnson, 6-foot-2 forward; Janna Schriber, 5-foot-7 guard; Dannielle Bauer, 6-foot-3 center; Mandy Brumfield, 5-foot-7 guard; Mary Kay VanderMay, 5-foot-4 guard; Kayln Sticher, 5-foot-10 forward.
Bauer and Brumfield redshirted last season. Tiffany Thomas, a 5-foot-8 freshman guard, and Piggy Pili, a 5-foot-5 freshman guard, will red-shirted this season.
Missing from last year's team are: Brittney Klipfel, Lana Giannonatti and Jaime Bentley.
