Having six seniors has changed the way Wichita State women’s basketball coach Jody Adams does things. 

“I’ve been able to step back and not speak as much,” she said. “The energy in practice is different. The energy about this team is different. It’s so positive.”

Adams is entering her fifth season leading WSU and is coming off her best season as its coach. 

Last year, the Shockers went 20-13, tying school records for wins in a season and longest winning streak (10 games). 

The Shockers made it to its fourth Women’s National Invitation Tournament in program history last year, defeating Oral Roberts in the first round. 

“Now we want to continue to spread that and continue a tradition of being at the top,” Adams said. “I think these guys are really hungry for what they want to do this year.”

And this year starts this Sunday, when the Shockers get going with an exhibition contest against Harding University. 

The game starts at 2:05 p.m. in Koch Arena. 

The Shockers are led by a deep class of seniors, most of which were part of Adams’ first full recruiting class at WSU. 

“It’s actually pretty emotional for me. They didn’t have to come here. They could have gone anywhere,” Adams said. “They have come a long way. They have really matured.”

Leading this group is guard Jessica Diamond, a Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection a year ago. 

Diamond ranks 17th all-time in career points at WSU with 1,060 entering the season. 

She has seen firsthand how the program has changed over the past three years and has noticed how other MVC teams are starting to pay attention to the Shockers. 

“More teams are starting to play our style of defense and putting the pressure back on us,” Diamond said. “We did feel like, at times, we had a target on our back. Teams brought their best game when they came to play us. So we have to focus on being even better at what we do.”

The Shockers are expected to compete with Illinois State and Creighton for the MVC title, an honor the program has never had. 

But with a group of talented, hungry leaders, the potential for that first title is very high. 

“I’m excited about the year. I feel very good about these guys and where we are right now,” Adams said. “I feel a sense of urgency.”