AVE MARIA, Fla. - The Ave Maria University women's basketball team will head on a road trip to the midwest to tip-off the 2014-15 regular season this weekend. Ave Maria opens up the 2014-15 season with matchups against Holy Cross (Ind.), Bethel (Ind.), and the defending NAIA II national champions, University of Saint Francis (Ind.). This marks the second season in a row where the Lady Gyrenes play the reigning national champions. Last season, the Blue and Green took on Indiana Wesleyan in back to back games in late December.
 
The Lady Gyrenes have a different look this year with the graduation of five players who played significant minutes in 2013-14. The Blue and Green return nine letter winners from last season, and welcome nine freshmen and one transfer to the 2014-15 squad.
 
MEDIA DETAILS

LIVE STATS @ BETHEL COLLEGE
LIVE AUDIO @ BETHEL COLLEGE

LIVE STATS @ UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS
 
SCOUTING THE SAINTS

The Holy Cross College Saints finished the 2013-14 season with a 14-17 overall record and a 4-13 record within the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). Head coach, Aimee Niespodziany enters her fourth season at the helm of the Saints. Holy Cross returns six veterans to the roster, led by senior Lindsey Steffen who averaged 12.9 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 2013-14.

The Saints are currently 0-1 on the season. They were defeated by Grace College, 53-44. Freshman Tagin Schultheis scored 19 points in her collegiate debut.
 
SCOUTING THE PILOTS

The Bethel College Pilots finished the 2013-14 season with a 12-19 overall record and a 7-11 record within the Crossroads Conference. Andrew Wodrich enters his first season at the helm of the Pilots. Bethel returns its two leading scorers from last season in sophomores Angelique Moore (13.0 ppg) and Aimee Swihart (12.5 ppg)

The Pilots are currently 1-0 on the young season. They defeated Lawrence Tech 72-59, while Swihart led the way with 29 points and 6 rebounds.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS

The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars finished the 2013-14 season with a 38-0 overall record and 18-0 record within the Crossroads Athletic Conference. The Cougars won the NAIA Division II National Championship with a 75-68 win over College of the Ozarks in the title game. Head Coach Gary Andrews returns for his 13th season and will look to rebuild after losing reigning NAIA Division II Player of the Year Skylarr Shum to graduation. Shum averaged 20.9 points per game and 8.2 rpg for the Cougars.  Junior Brooke Ridley returns to USF after a successful sophomore season where she averaged 14.3 points.

Saint Francis opens its season against Saint Xavier University (Ill.) on Oct. 31st.