WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University women's basketball enters a season of change in 2023-2024. A new conference, new opponents, new members of the roster, and a new head coach at the helm in Al Berger.

The Colonels finished the 2022-2023 season with an 8-17 record overall and a 7-9 record in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom), narrowly missing out on a trip to the MAC Freedom tournament after a loss in the regular season finale to Delaware Valley University.

"We're really excited," Berger said about the season ahead. "Obviously with my first year I think we all have a high level of excitement to get the season started. With the eight additional preseason practices we're up to 27 practices already and are ready to get into some live action."

At guard, the Colonels welcome back last season's top scorer and rebounder, sophomore Yamirelis Matos (Springfield, MA/Chicopee). In her first year of collegiate basketball, the Springfield, Mass. native put up 219 points and 124 rebounds. Seniors Brenna Babcock (Sweet Valley, PA/Northwest Area) and Julia Marino (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) join her in the Wilkes backcourt, along with juniors Julianna Askins (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) and Emma Stout (Bangor, PA/Bangor). Sophomores Nadia Evanosky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) and Reagan Holden (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Wilkes-Barre Area) round out the returners at guard.

Up front, the Colonels return one forward in senior Tess Edwards (Benton, PA/Northwest Area), as well as two centers in senior Erin Shober (Reading, PA/Wilson) and sophomore Madison Robel (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex). Berger is already impressed with how the core group from last year has taken to his philosophy.

"I think we have a really balanced group, a lot of different players who bring a lot to the table in a lot of different ways," he said. "We're trying to find our fit stylistically a little bit, but I'm really happy with how they've latched on to what we're trying to do as a group."

The Colonels welcome three newcomers to the team in sophomore forward Ella Corwell (York, PA/Eastern York) and first years Emma Raville (Gettysburg, PA/Gettysburg Area) and Taylor Simpson (Dunmore, PA/Lawrenceville School). Though a small group, Berger has found impact in what these newcomers have brought to the Colonels.

"They've really added a lot of value to the program in a lot of different ways," he stated. "I'm excited to see what they can do as far as on court contributions once we get the season started."

The 2023-24 season will also be the first for the Colonels as a part of the Landmark Conference. Berger expressed his anticipation for conference play, as well as the team's non-conference opponents.

"I think both our conference and non-conference schedules are loaded, and will present some really unique challenges with lots of different styles of play," he stated. "We're excited for that challenge, we're excited to take on the Landmark and see what we can do."

The Colonels begin their season on the road as they travel to face Marywood University tonight at 6:00 p.m. They open Landmark Conference play later in the month on Wednesday, November 29 as they take on the University of Scranton on the road at 7:00 p.m.