The Pioneers enter the fray in the Summit League as head coach Kerry Cremeans begins her second year at the helm.
Although Cremeans will have to fill a gaping hole in the lineup after the graduation of point guard Emi Smith — the program’s all-time leader in assists — the Pioneers will welcome back the rest of their rotation and should be instant competitors in their new league.
Junior Morgan Van Riper-Rose emerged as a dependable scorer in 2012–13, leading the Pioneers with a scoring average of 13.3 points a game. Senior Maiya Michel should again be a force in the paint after pacing the club with 9.8 rebounds a game, and a healthy season from senior Quincey Noonan, who was limited to just 11 games last year, will help DU at both ends of the floor.
Perhaps most intriguing will be the continued development of sophomore Kailey Edwards. The Colorado native only grew more confident as her rookie campaign continued, finishing second on the team with 10.1 points per game. If her late surge last season is any indication, Edwards will be a threat to score 20 points every game.