Nov. 5, 2013

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington heads the Sun Belt Conference, its third conference in the last three seasons.

The women's basketball program welcomed a new coaching staff this past offseason. Leading the way is head coach Krista Gerlich after a seven-year stint with West Texas A&M.

"Practices have been going really well," Gerlich said. "The team is doing a great job of buying in and figure out what we're talking about out there. They've been trying to gel as a team and learn our terminology and philosophies."

Gerlich brought assistants Kristin Cole, Ashley Crawford and Talby Justus, and director of operations Courtney Lee to help her pave a new era of Maverick Women's Basketball.

The Mavericks welcome back three key returners in seniors Desherra Nwanguma and Laila Suleiman, and junior Chauntandra Williams. Nwanguma and Suleiman were the Mavericks leading scorers last season and look to continue that role.

"When the coaches first came in it was a big change, a good change," Nwanguma said. "Our chemistry is really strong right now and it makes everything easier."

Other Maverick returners include Malaika Green, Jordan Holub, Briana Walker, Krioni Bruce and Takiyah Langford.

The team is welcoming five newcomers: freshmen Allyson Te'o and Allea Harris, sophomore Taylor Caspers, and juniors Tahlia Pope, Morgan Hunt and Amara Wainwright.

"Allyson Te'o has been the brightest spot of our newcomers," Gerlich said of the true freshman. "A lot of time freshmen struggle with the speed and strength of the game, but she has come in and fought hard and battles on the court. She absorbs the information we are giving her and applies it and continues to work hard for us."

The women open the 2013-14 season at Friday at Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. and head to Stillwater, Okla. to take on Oklahoma State Sunday at 1 p.m. UTA opens its home schedule Thursday, Nov. 14, hosting Incarnate Word at 7:30 p.m. at College Park Center.