The Wichita State women’s basketball team is ready to win. 

Coach Jody Adams is entering her fifth season leading the Shockers, and finally has a team of experienced veterans that she recruited. 

“We haven’t had this type of leadership in the past,” Adams said. “They have built this program to where we are respected.”

Adams only won 13 games in her first season at WSU. Last year the Shockers went 20-13 and made the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for the fourth time in school history. 

This year, the sights have been set a little higher. Picked to be a major factor in the Missouri Valley Conference race, the Shockers hope to be more than that. 

They hope to win the Valley for the first time in school history.

“The experience is there, the athleticism is there, the ability is there,” Adams said. “But there are some details that we have to get, and we call that mental toughness.”

WSU grew as the season went on a year ago, but the small details left them on the losing side far too often. 

The veteran team hopes to avoid those same mistakes this year. 

“I think these guys are really hungry for what they want to do this year,” Adams said. “Talking to them, they know they fell short last year.”

Leading the squad are seniors Jessica Diamond, Chynna Turner and Jazimen Gordon. Sophomore Alex Harden and junior Michelle Price will be major factors as well. 

Diamond is undoubtedly the star, having been named a first-team All-MVC player last season. She led the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game.