With November finally here, that means it’s time for the Wayne State women’s basketball team to hit the hardwood and begin the 2016-2017 season.

The Wildcats are coming back from a 17-12 season, 13-9 in the NSIC play, looking to improve off of last season’s record.

“It was a disappointing season,” Head Coach Chris Kielsmeier said. “We have higher expectations of a 17-12 season in our program, but with that being said our players had to fight to get us to a 17 -12 season.”

Coming into the 2016-2017 season, the roster for the Wildcats is loaded with talent and Kielsmeier is excited to get the year started.

“We know we have a very talented roster and we have an entire program that works very hard to be successful,” Kielsmeier said. “This time of year, for me, it’s just about everybody getting better. The process will take care of itself if you’re doing things the right way and at the highest level possible.”

Leading the way for the ‘Cats this season will be forward Paige Ballinger. The 6’1 junior led Wayne State in scoring last year and will be important to have back in the lineup after missing the second half of the season with a broken ankle.

“Paige is a big part of what we do, but we need every one of our players healthy,” Keilsmeier said.

Other players to watch for Wayne State include sophomore point guard Maggie Lowe and senior forward Anna Martensen.

“We have had a great fall this year, and our preseason scrimmages have gone very well,” Lowe said. “We are an experienced team and it should be an exciting year for people to follow.”

WSC will open the regular season Saturday and will play host to the Lopers of the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

“I’m blessed to coach 14 really good players that want to be really good and we feel like this team has chance to be a really deep team this year and that will be a big strength of the team this year,” Keilsmeier said.