Lady Bisons ready for new season with revamped strategy and strong returners
The Lady Bisons, under the leadership of head coach Lauren Sumski, are adjusting course with a new squad and strategy. Coach Sumski retains key players Bella Vinson, Claira McGowan and Ainhoa Cea. Jaylen Holcomb, who was out for the season due to injury last year, is returning for her final year of college basketball.
With the loss of Aleah Sorrentino, who led the team with rebounds, the Lady Bisons are missing a key player in the middle. Coach Lauren Sumski previewed the squad with ESPN+ at this year’s ASUN Tip-Off.
“We have a fantastic group of young women, and we are really excited about that. For us it’s just about getting better every day. We are transitioning to a different style this year. We are just trying to get better and better and better and get more comfortable with new concepts. We just work on applying them every day.”
The 2024-2023 team finds itself ranked third in the ASUN Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Senior guard, Claira McGowan isn’t focused on that.
“Being ranked 3rd is awesome and everything, but we aren’t really worried about that. It doesn’t matter if we are ranked 11, which we were my first season here and I think. We finished third that year. It’s a blessing to be I guess the hunted, but It’s not our main priority. We just want to win games. We want to compete. We want to have fun together.”
Florida Gulf Coast Osprey continue to dominate the ASUN Conference. The women of FGCU are 14x ASUN Regular Season Champs, 10x ASUN Tourney Champs, and 10 NCAA Tourney appearances (in 13 years). They find themselves at the top of the Preseason Coaches’ Poll and with the preseason player of the year, Emani Jefferson.
The Lady Bisons will be tipping off at home on Wednesday, Nov. 6, against Mississippi Valley State.
