Redbird Women’s Basketballers Set to Return for Regular Season Title Defense

Image courtesy of Redbird Athletics

NORMAL, Ill – The Illinois State women’s basketball team is getting closer to their first matchup of the season. Recently, the teams preseason schedule was released. Their first matchup will be a Bloomington-Normal face-off against Illinois Wesleyan on Oct. 29. The game is a community event, where proceeds will be split between Western Avenue Community Center, and a mental health collaboration between the two schools.

The regular season will begin on the road when the Redbirds play Nebraska-Omaha on Nov. 6. The team will be playing multiple non-conference games the rest of the calendar year before getting into conference play. The last non-conference game will be against the St. Louis Billikens on Dec.19.

ISU will bring back nine returners from last season’s Missouri Valley Conference regular season Championship team. Highlighting this roster is All-MVC Second-Team member, Deanna Wilson. Wilson averaged 13 points along with 7 rebounds a game last season.

The Redbirds added five new players to the program, including four freshman and one transfer. The transfer player is Caroline Waite, a Junior guard from Bradley Brave. The incoming freshmen are forward DeAnna Wilson, guard Shannon Dowell, guard Molly Lenz, guard Brooke Coffey, and forward Savannah McGowan.

ISU will continue to prepare for their season opener on Oct. 29. With nine returning players, they will look for more leadership within the program.