ULM Lady Warhawks aim to build on last season’s success

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) – The Lady Warhawks basketball team surpassed expectations last season, establishing a new benchmark for women’s basketball at ULM. Heading into offseason training, they will blend returning and new players to further their achievements and follow the path laid by their trailblazing predecessors.

ULM women’s basketball head coach Missy Bilderback acknowledged the loss of key players and highlighted the returning athletes who will continue to steer the program forward.

“Obviously we lost a tremendous group last year that really just set the stone and trailblazers, so to speak, as far as setting the tone for our program and what we want to accomplish here,” said Bilderback. “You know, obviously, we got two All-Conference players back in Kate {Manuel} and JaKayla {Johnson}. You know, you gotta say JaKayla and Kate from the standpoint of being, you know, two instrumental difference makers for us last year and just having that experience in the league coming back.”

Despite the departure of key players last season, the Lady Warhawks will welcome back Kate Manuel, honored as Sixth Woman of the Year, who aims to take on a more significant leadership role this season.

“Last year {I} was coming off the bench, providing that spark, kinda, so this year, {I will} keep helping my team in whatever way I can,” said Manuel. “I want to be a better leader. I feel like I get better every season, so I just want to continue that. {I want to} just continue improving {and} get my numbers up.”

Bilderback elaborated on the benefits of leveraging the transfer portal to address the absence of key players.

“Our roster’s really unique because we truly know or have known previously all the kids on the roster,” said Bilderback. “Either we coached them before, competed against them, or just been familiar with them. So it’s really special, in that, relationships are there, and also just our knowledge of their game, and what all they can do, you know, on the floor as well. So I think that gives us a big advantage. We know that they’re great people, as well as great players, so super excited about that for sure.”

After a successful last season, Bilderback discussed the team’s aspirations for the upcoming season.

“The players that came back and the players that transferred in, you know, I’ve heard all of them talk about going to the NCAA tournament and winning a conference championship, so you know, that’s definitely gonna be a bar and something that we strive to achieve for sure,” said Bilderback.

As the Lady Warhawks undergo offseason, the task ahead is evident: integrating returning talent with new additions to expand upon last season’s impressive achievements. With a new benchmark established, the upcoming season holds promise for another exciting chapter in ULM women’s basketball.