Lady Bulldogs Open Preseason Practice Wednesday

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Vic Schaefer's inaugural Mississippi State women's basketball team begins preseason practice Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the 2012-13 season.

"This is a day we have been waiting for," Schaefer said. "Our players have been working hard during 6 a.m. workouts, and now it's time to put a basketball in their hands and begin focusing on developing team and individual skills. Our staff is excited to get to work with these young ladies."

State opens the Schaefer era Nov. 2 against Shorter in a 7 p.m. exhibition outing at Humphrey Coliseum. The Lady Bulldogs tip off the regular season Nov. 9, hosting Houston at 7 p.m.

MSU returns nine letterwinners, including two starters, from last year's squad. Sophomore Kendra Grant is the team's top returning scorer at 7.3 ppg.

Fellow sophomore Martha Alwal returns to the front line after she averaged 5.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game en route to earning Freshman All-SEC accolades a year ago.

The Lady Bulldogs welcome two new faces to the squad in Clarksville, Tenn., guard Jessy Ward and St. Louis standout Sherise Williams.