The return of 10 girls from last year's team that reached the WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinals has made getting a good jump on the 2008-09 campaign possible.
"The practices we've had have been great and we're able to keep working on things that we put in at the end of last year because the girls have retained it," Assumption coach Joe Birkhauser said. "It's been a smooth start to this season with so many girls back."
Winning the Marawood Conference South Division title, the Royals' first since the 2001-02 season, along with the regional crown and sectional appearance offers plenty of fuel to light the team's competitive fire.
Competing for the conference title, which adds Wausau Newman, Edgar and Marathon to the mix in the South Division, is a team goal, as is as making another deep run in the playoffs.
"I think it would feel great to bring back-to-back conference titles to our program," senior Lizzy Slovensky said.
Added senior Jada Straub, "We pride ourselves on working hard and playing good defense and I think winning the conference title again would show that."
Straub was the Royals' leading scorer last year, averaging nine points per game. She also had 33 steals in conference play, while Slovensky scored eight points a game and had 82 rebounds in South Division games.
Juniors Emily Heeg and Hannah Osowski each averaged seven points per game, while Heeg had 76 rebounds and Osowski had 38 from her guard position.
"Repeating as conference champs and competing to go to state are goals for the girls, and they will work hard to accomplish those goals," Birkhauser said. "They feel like they still have something to prove after getting close, but falling short last year."
The team has a motto this year -- Little things together, make big things happen.
It's that type of attitude that Birkhauser hopes will carry the team.
At last weekend's scrimmage at Markesan, Birkhauser was pleased with certain aspects of the Royals' performance, but saw areas to work on as well. The players themselves realized there are phases of their game to improve upon.
"We can always get better on defense, because everything seems to start there for us," Slovensky said. "I think we felt like the base of what we do was there, but our timing was a little off. We're going to keep working hard and hopefully it will all fall into place."
Assumption
Coach: Joe Birkhauser, 13th year
Last year: 13-1 in the Marawood Conference South Division, 21-3 overall
How far they got: Lost to St. Mary Central 512-41 in WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal
Key returners: Emily Heeg (6-foot 0, Forward, Jr.), Anna Kinzel (5-7, Guard, Jr.), Hannah Osowski (5-4, G, Jr.), Molly Sigler (5-6, G, Jr.), Rebecca Sigler (5-8, F, Jr.), Chelley Wanta (5-9, F, Jr.), Brittney Brock (5-6, G, Sr.), Erica Skerven (5-6, G, Sr.), Lizzy Slovensky (6-0, Center, Sr.), Jada Straub (5-4, G, Sr.)
Newcomers: Nikki Milkey (5-5, G, Soph.), Monica Skibba (6-0, C, Soph.)