ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University women's basketball team opens its season at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon in the Voller Athletic Center against the University of Bridgeport.

The Redhawks return nine players from the 2024-25 team that went 2-21 and will be bolstered by the addition of five players, including a Division I transfer and four talented first-year players.

Kevin Clifford, who enters his eighth season as head coach of the Redhawks, has been impressed by the team's chemistry, speed and athleticism throughout the preseason.

"I think defense, rebounding and execution on offense will be the three keys to the season," Clifford said. "I think there are a lot of factors, including staying healthy and team chemistry. I also think that our depth is going to be a big factor for us right now as well as taking care of the ball and shot selection." 

Here are five things to know about the Redhawks:

THEY HAVE F.A.I.T.H

During the offseason, the coaching staff came up with five words to develop their theme for the season.

They are family, accountability, integrity, teamwork, hard work or F.A.I.T.H.

The players have also adopted the phrase "We fly together" as their mantra for the season.

SENIORS, SOPHOMORES RETURN

Roberts brings back nine players from last season, including fourth-year post player and co-captain Cristina Gonzalez-Simarro Rubio, guards Barbora Froňková and Maria Ferrer Brao and forward Laura Granada.

Co-captain Meaghan Doherty, a guard, and forwards Erin Frazier and Renee Anglin all received significant playing time as freshmen and are expected to take on larger roles this season.

Guard Ariana Lynch and center Danielle Offhaus have shown growth in the off-season and are looking to contribute more.

NEWCOMERS WILL HIT FLOOR RUNNING

The Redhawks will also rely on their newest players to be immediate contributors.

Junior forward Zhara Adeyemi averaged 3.7 points at LeMoyne last year and first-year players Aniyah Jones (19.5) and Jada Mushat (16.3) were consistent point producers in high school.

Guard Tierra Hendricks should be one of the Redhawks' primary ball handlers and forward Sarah Seyfang will look to carve out a role after returning from a preseason injury.

SCORING OPTIONS SOUGHT

The Redhawks averaged 53.92 points per game last season and will need to find new solutions on offense after having lost four of the top five scorers to either graduation or transfer.

Frazier (5.9 ppg) and Doherty (5.0 ppg) are the top two returning scorers and will be asked to shoulder a larger load.

Adeyemi has been a productive scorer in preseason scrimmages and could be a primary option. Points could also come from Anglin and Jones.

Clifford said that the seniors may also contribute more as Granada and Froňková have been shooting well in practice and Simarro and Brao are expected to be taking on more significant roles.

HOME IS WHERE THE HOOPS ARE

The Redhawks, who finished ninth in the East Coast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, will play five of their first six games at home.

The ECC opener is Dec. 12 at Molloy and the regular season concludes on Feb. 28 at home against D'Youville.