Season Officially Underway for Women's Hoops

NORMAN – Oklahoma women's basketball held its first official practice of the 2016-17 season Monday, a two-hour session at Lloyd Noble Center.

With 34 days remaining before the Sooners begin the regular season, the Sooners used Monday's opening practice to build off their foundation set from their 10 pre-foreign tour workouts in August.

Head coach Sherri Coale, who begins her 21st season at Oklahoma, returns 12 letterwinners along with four starters from last year's squad. The Sooners also have six seniors on their roster, the most for an OU team since 2006-07.

“Practice was good today,” redshirt senior Maddie Manning said. “As seniors, we're trying to have our best year this season. We wanted to start off strong with a good opening practice. We're ready to leave a legacy and we expect a lot from our group of seniors.”

"We wanted to start off strong with a good opening practice. We're ready to leave a legacy and we expect a lot from our group of seniors."
— Maddie Manning

While newcomers Chelsea Dungee and Nancy Mulkey worked out with the Sooners during the summer, competed in OU's nine-day trip to Spain and endured preseason workouts, Monday's session marked their first official team practice at Oklahoma.

“I felt really comfortable once we got started,” Dungee said. “Since we went to Spain in August, our training camp and the games we played overseas really helped us. Going through those game-like situations really helped as we started practice today.”

Since coming to campus in June, Dungee said that OU's veteran leadership has helped her transition to the collegiate game.

“All six of our seniors are great leaders. They've been extremely helpful for Nancy and I when we have questions about a drill or a play that we're trying to execute,” Dungee explained. “That communication and accountability we have with one another helps us learn how to play the right way.”

Oklahoma begins the season with the first of two exhibitions on Nov. 2 with a contest against Midwestern State at Lloyd Noble Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT. Season tickets are available by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 456-4668 or by clicking here.

For more information on Oklahoma women's basketball, follow the Sooners on Twitter (@OU_WBBall) or like Oklahoma Sooners Women's Basketball on Facebook.