The returning starters have the experience, and they know how to win and have the ultimate goal of being on top.

Playing quality schools like Alabama and South Florida are always good to have on a schedule playing-wise. Conference games are definitely the most important. Stephen F. Austin and Texas State are some of the standout games, and we want to play them hard to garner the respect of the other top tier teams in the conference.

Attacking and scoring are areas I feel we need to improve on. Our defense is not a problem, but I would like us to get as aggressive on offense as we are on the defensive end.

I'm very disappointed that we will have to play without Ashley. But at this point in the season, we can't dwell on matters that we have no control over. I want to emphasize that she will still play an active role on our team, in practice and from a leadership standpoint.

I don't think that there is any added pressure. We are the underdogs coming into the season, and the only pressure we have is the pressure we put on ourselves.

But then I became so disillusioned.... I had very little life experience and certainly no technique to deal with comedy with any flair.