St. Edward’s University’s women’s basketball has been picked to finish fourth in the Heartland Conference this year, according to conference head coaches and sports information directors.

With an overall record of 19-9 last season, the Hilltoppers won their first Heartland Conference Tournament Championship and made their first NCAA Regional appearance in school history.

While the rankings may not reflect last year’s success, second-year Head Coach J.J Riehl views them as motivation for her young team rather than disrespect.

“I think if the poll came out and had us picked one or two, we might have had a tougher time trying to get a point across,” Riehl said. “For this group it serves as motivation.”

Consisting of 10 new players, Riehl admits her group has lost a lot of talent from last year’s NCAA tournament roster.

“Every player is an individual and every player is different,” Riehl said. “I do not know if you are going to find another Maddie Wheeler because Maddie was uniquely Maddie, same with Stephanie Dekkers and Erika Rousculp.”

What makes this year’s team unique is their prowess in the paint, especially on the low block.

Transfers Khiani Clark, Lexi Fatherlee and Ateh Ade will look to provide interior scoring alongside the returning All-Heartland Tournament Kathleen Brisbane. With the versatility of Brisbane and Fatherlee to play inside-out, the Hilltoppers hope to cause a few matchup problems for their opponents.

“I am sure we were picked fourth because of everyone we lost, but we also gained talent,” Brisbane said. “The new recruits here are great and make each day of practice or anything we do as a team more enjoyable.”

On the perimeter, the Hilltoppers hope their younger players will provide support for Heartland Tournament MVP Mileka Loydrake. Transfers Taylor Young and Katy Boren as well as the returning Aimee Durbidge and Jaimie Kadlecek must find their niche in the backcourt.

“It is taking them a little longer to get adjusted and acclimated to what we are doing,” Riehl said. “I think the biggest concern is the point guard position, since Taylor Young is injured right now.”

After last season’s magical run to the NCAA Division II tournament, Loydrake is hungry for more success and has rallied her teammates this year on social media.

“Our goals are summed up by one phrase that you can often find on Twitter as a hashtag: ‘close the cookie jar,’” Loydrake said. “That phrase reminds us of our goals and commitments we have made to ourselves as well as each other.”