The St. Edward’s University women’s basketball team is headed into a new season with new coaches and a new determination to win.

Head Coach JJ Riehl replaced previous Head Coach Jennifer White in March after White left the university for reasons that neither coach was comfortable disclosing to Hilltop Views. Riehl and Assistant Coach Molly Brennan will lead the team this season and are using this clean slate to jump-start the team this season.

“We have been working really hard at coming together as a team and really focusing on being a quality team,” Riehl said.

The team opened their season with a St. Edward’s shootout on Nov. 9 and 10 against New Mexico-Highlands and Tiffin, respectively. The Hilltoppers dominated New Mexico-Highlands to score an 82-69 victory over them yet fell to Tiffin 81-74 after a hard-fought battle.

Riehl played women’s basketball at St. Edward’s, received her degree from the university and was assistant coach of the women’s basketball team for 10 seasons. Brennan joined Riehl as assistant coach in June.

Brennan was previously the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh—Bradford and came to St. Edward’s after a national search. Riehl said she is the right fit for the basketball program.

“The dynamic of our coaching staff is really good, and everyone is happy and wants to be a part of what we are doing,” Riehl said.

An additional part of the coaching staff is Andrew Miller, a graduate assistant who joined in August.

“[Andrew] handles office work, and he has been great with the girls,” Riehl said.

Brennan has been working to recruit new players as well as build the team’s strength training and conditioning.

“From what I have heard… the team has made significant improvements from last year,” Brennan said.

In the 2011-2012 season, women’s basketball was 1-11 in conference play and 4-22 in all games.

“We are trying really hard to stay in the moment and not stay in the past,” Riehl said.

Riehl says the preseason has been productive, and the team has committed themselves to being successful.

“The girls spent a lot of extra hours in the gym and learning and studying plays,” Riehl said. “There is no win-loss for the preseason, but we have had a very productive two months.”