KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team opens its third season under head coach Michael Trujillo this weekend at the St. Mary's Classic at Bill Greehey Arena. The Javelinas will open the tournament against the host Lady Rattlers on Friday at 7 p.m. and face McMurry at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Fans can link to live video of the St. Mary's game and live stats of both games from the women's basketball schedule on javelinaathletics.com.
Below is preseason preview of this year's team by class:
Trujillo's third team boasts a four-member senior class. Three of the seniors – Sheana Jones, Rita Banaszczak and Madara Gulbe – played prominent roles as transfers a year ago. Along with Rosalie Cutri – a senior transfer Division I Boise State, the seniors are being counted on to serve as leaders of this year's team.
Jones was the Javelinas top scorer a season ago averaging 9.1 points and hit 30 three-point shots. Banaszczak and Gulbe dealt with lingering injuries during the season and average 6.2 points and 5.3 rebounds respectively.
"I am really excited about the leadership this senior class has shown," said Trujillo. "They have really worked hard and with a year in the system are a lot more comfortable. We had issues scoring points last season and each of these three coming back really worked on their shots.
"They have a lot more confidence in what we are looking to do offensively. I am expecting them to shoot the ball a lot better. Also, they are healthier this season."
Cutri, a junior college teammate with Gulbe for two seasons, brings a physical presence to the Javelinas in the backcourt. An Australian, she started 21 games a season ago finishing first on the team with 61 steals and second on the team with 74 assists. Her steal total was sixth in the Mountain West Conference.
"Rosalie is not so much a shooter but a physical player," said Trujillo. "She can really attack the basket on offense and has a great basketball IQ which is what you need in a point guard. Defensively, she has the ability to be a stopper, and her personality makes her a natural-born leader."
The Javelina junior class consists of a trio of transfers.
"We brought in three transfers who we think can help us immediately," said Trujillo. "We really wanted to recruit players who came from winning backgrounds so they can help instill the work ethic needed to have a winning program. We also looked for players with a strong basketball IQ and talent that fit our system."
Among the newcomers is Lindsey Mahone who began her collegiate career at Eastern Michigan before transferring to Angelo State. The 5-10 guard brings a level of toughness that Trujillo was looking for.
" Lindsey is another player with DI experience and talent," said the coach. "She brings a lot of toughness and physicality to the team, but is a well-rounded player. She has a high activity level. She has the ability to come in and be a difference maker."
Lauren Jay joins the Javelinas from Southern Arkansas. At 5-11, Jay gives the Javelinas additional size and toughness. She averaged five points and four rebounds in 21 games at SAU and prepping at San Antonio O'Connor.
"Lauren adds some much needed size and toughness in the post," said Trujillo. "She understands when to shoot the ball or when to put it on the floor and drive.
Norwegian Tonje Milde joins the Javelinas from Otero Junior College, which is the same program that former Javelina Kaitlyn Lowen played at before coming to Kingsville. Milde helped her team to a 33-3 mark her sophomore season earning all-region honors.
"Tonje is deceptively fast and has a quick release on her shot," said Trujillo. "She can shoot from the outside, but can also put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket and draw contact. She has a tremendous basketball IQ."
The sophomore class is made up of four returnees, who all had playing time last season and will be counted on to contribute valuable minutes this season.
"The sophomores learned a lot last season as freshman," said Trujillo. "The experience showed them what it takes at this level and how fast and physical the game is played in college. They are all more comfortable coming into this season and worked hard to improve all areas of their games."
Ashley Viera is the team's second-leading scorer despite playing hurt much of the year. She averaged 8.6 points a season ago and had 49 assists which is most amongst returnees.
"Ashley is a natural leader," said Trujillo. "She was thrown into the fire some last year. I expect her to be more relaxed as she will have more weapons around her."
Michelle Wagner provides an outside shooting presence, while Ruby Robertson is a slasher.
"Michelle has really been shooting the ball well from the outside and is more physical," said Trujillo. "Ruby is a really coming along with her shot and has slashing ability.
The final member of the sophomore class is post player Brittany Selby. Selby is the tallest Javelina at 6-2.
"Selby is just more comfortable offensively after a year in the system and knows what she is expected to do," said the Javelina mentor. "She has to provide a physical presence for us and she knows that. She has been responding well to that challenge."
Three freshmen round out the roster. Micah Weaver was a two-sport standout at Poth High School and is joined by Alexis Copeland from O'Connor High School and Demmee Rodriguez from Harlingen.
"Micah comes from a well-known program with a winning background," said Trujillo. "She has the ability to shoot from the outside and drive to the basket. Alexis is a slasher, who is probably most comfortable on defense. Demmee will see time as a defensive stopper. She is just a pest on defense, who finds away to get in the way and stop the ball."
While the team was selected to finish last in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, Trujillo is expecting tremendous improvement from his team.
"I wasn't expected where we were picked because we have had a lot of success lately," said the coach. "I think that is about to change. We have done a good job of recruiting kids that really fit the motion system we want to run."
As a unit, the coach has also focused on offense.
"Last year's team struggled on offense," said the coach. "Ultimately, we lost some games because we didn't shoot the ball well. This season we have more weapons and the kids have really worked on and improved their shooting."
The biggest change may be the chemistry.
"This team has tremendous chemistry and a sense of togetherness," said Trujillo. "This is one of the closest if not the closest team I have been a part of. From top to bottom, this team really wants to work and play for each other."