Fans will get their first look at the season for the women's basketball team tomorrow night at Worthen Arena when the Cardinals play the Reebok Lady Stars in an exhibition game.
Last season the Cardinals finished with a 21-10 record and received runner-up in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
This season, the team must figure out how to move on without standout Tamara Bowie, the MAC Player of the Year last season.
Another former standout, Shala Crook, will play Saturday for the Stars.
Crook holds the records for assists, steals and minutes played at Ball State. The four-time letter winner was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2000-2001 and was an honorable mention three years on the All-MAC team.
"It's always good to see your kids back and get some time to spend with them and see them play again, but I really hope she's out of shape," head coach Tracy Roller said.
Other players on the Stars' roster include former WNBA players Monica Maxwell, Quacy Barnes and Jill Chapman-Daily.
Assistant coach Stephanie White-McCarty might see some familiar faces. Four players graduated from Purdue, her alma mater.
Jeanette Gray, one of Ball State's administrative assistants, normally plays for the Stars, but she will not play against the Cardinals Saturday night.
The game will allow both coaches and fans to see some different lineups and matchups, and three freshmen will see what it's like to play in Worthen Arena. Roller said Becca Bajorek, Tina Bolte and Kelsey Corbin could all make a difference.
Teran Warner, the other freshman recruit, will not dress because of an injury.
Senior Erica Sutton and sophomore Erica Cotton will also not play because of injuries.
Seniors Johna Goff, Jessica Reiter, Kate Endress and Raechelle Hampton might start tomorrow, but whoever is healthiest might decide the fifth starter.
"As a coach you always have chances to scout other teams and see what their tendencies are, who their best players are. Really we go into both exhibition games blind," Roller said. "I like that in a way cause I want to see how our kids react to that, but as a coach it's very scary too.
"I want to be able to, whether we win or loss, learn something from it."
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