The Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball team is setting new goals, conditioning hard in practice and building team chemistry, all in hopes for a shot to play in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

Third-year coach Ty Margenthaler has been eyeing the tournament ever since his arrival to Cape Girardeau in 2010 and believes this year's players have the skills and athleticism to get his team to play at a more competitive level than in years past.

Last year the Redhawks had their best finish in the last three years when they went 11-18 overall and 5-11 in conference play.

"We're better as a whole this year," Margenthaler said. "We added more depth all around and especially to our post game, and I think that will open some things up for us this season."

The Redhawks' biggest offensive threat in the post-game season is 6-foot senior forward and team captain, Patricia Mack. Last year, Mack was fourth in rebounds among all players. This year, she leads all returning OVC players in rebounds with 9.3 per game.

Behind Mack are junior college transfers Kenyada Brown and Hillary Lively. Both Brown and Lively bring experience to the post position and provide depth that will come in handy for the Redhawks.

Other returners for the Redhawks include senior guard and international standout, Jordan Hunter. Hunter amped up her style of play this summer when she played internationally for her home country of New Zealand.

From that experience, she got a taste of how to play more aggressively as well as what it takes to be a leader on and off the court.

"It was a lot more physical than any other college game, but it mostly made me play better," Hunter said. "I all of the sudden had a lot of poise and knew just what to do with the ball."

Her poise and aggressiveness have turned into leadership that both players and coaches are noticing.

Hunter is the first to the end line when the team does sprints for conditioning each day in practice. Teammate and co-captain Mack has noticed that she is more vocal this year and is seeing plays develop on the court at a higher level.

"She puts us in the right position," Mack said. "She's a hard worker that is always dedicated to making us better."

Margenthaler knows just how important his two captains are to the team. Other than Mack and Hunter, only five other players returned to the roster from last year's team.

"They're two different people who lead in different ways," Margenthaler said. "Jordan is quiet and Tricia is loud, but they find a way to make it work."

The rest of the returning Redhawks are either sophomores or juniors who have had little playing experience. Mack said that she is not worried about how young the team is. She said its keys to success are bonding and working together as a team, as well as building chemistry that will make them grow as players and people.

"We've been together all summer long, practicing and just having fun," Mack said. "Our new teammates are understanding the offense and defense better as we get closer to the first game, but right now, for me its about everyone having each other's backs."

Sophomore guard Kara Wright knows what it's like to be new to the team.

Wright was named to the OVC All-Newcomer team last year when she broke into the starting lineup with an impressive three consecutive games with 20 points or more scored. Her continued efforts at the 3-point line would be a boost for the young Redhawks.

Other returners for the Redhawks include junior guard Allyson Bradshaw, sophomore guard Olivia Hackman, sophomore forward Connor King and junior guard Yelena Rosado.

With his second recruited class, Margenthaler brought in five true freshmen to help the Redhawks this season and in the future. Those freshmen include Bailey Geiman, Brittany Harris, Jade Holly, Ashton Luttrull and Brianna Mitchell.

"This is all new to them," Margenthaler said. "They're slowly learning our offensive and defensive plays, and really now it's just a matter of getting them to play up to the tempo of the college game."

From now until the first tip-off, the Redhawks will work on becoming the best conditioned team in the OVC, as well as preparing a tough offensive attack.

"We want to be quick and energetic from the get go," Margenthaler said. "Playing the post and getting quick rebounds is what is going to define us this year."

The Redhawks begin the season when they take on Alabama A&M on Nov. 8.