SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team is back in action and ready to start the 2022-23 season, which begins this weekend at Heiges Field House. 
 
The Raiders are coming off a 16-13 overall record in 2021-22. SU earned a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoff berth but fell short to Lock Haven in the first round.
 
The team adds eight new faces to this year's squad, which means developing chemistry is a key factor in preparation for this season.
 
"We need to come in and compete," senior Lauren Pettis said. "We have several new players on our team, so they are getting acclimated to our way. It's been tough, but also fun learning how everyone plays and buildingteam chemistry."
 
The 2022-23 roster features four seniors suiting up for their final seasons as Raiders. The roster also includesone graduate, two juniors, three sophomores and five true freshmen. 
 
"We have a lot of new players this year, so our main focus is to get in here for the couple of hours we have every day to really focus on learning, teaching and being there for each other," senior Ariel Jones said. "We have to focus our minds on pushing through and making sure we are ready on game day."
 
The Raiders are excited for a fresh start and are bringing a completely new mindset to this season. 
 
"We have players that had a tough season last year and we thought things were going to go one way, but went a different way," Jones said. "We don't have to worry about the past at all. We are coming here to start new and be a different team than we were the past couple of years."
 
In order to attain its goals, the team knows the sacrifice and grit it takes every single day. 
 
The Raiders have adopted the mantra "E's" (energy, effort and enthusiasm), which has been their focus day in and day out.
 
"So far I have been extremely impressed with the work ethic of our team and with the attitudes they have brought in every day," head coach Kristy Trn said. "We just want to learn and grow and get a little bit better out on the floor as a unit."
 
Shippensburg opens its season this weekend in its annual Conference Challenge, taking on Fayetteville State this Friday 6 p.m. at Heiges Field House.