Ranking as one of the 15 most improved programs in NCAA Division I women's basketball during the 2008-09 season, the Sam Houston State Bearkats saw marked progress in all phases of the game last year.

The Kats jumped from the league cellar in 2008 to tie for fourth in the Southland West Division in 2009. Sam Houston just missed a Southland Conference post-season berth due to a tie-breaker as the odd team out in a three-way tie for the tournament's last two spots.

The Bearkats posted league victories over Stephen F. Austin, Lamar, Central Arkansas, McNeese and swept Texas State both meetings a year after going winless in the Southland. The team's 7-5 record at home in Johnson Coliseum marked Sam Houston's best season performance in the facility in the last 10 years. Three Bearkats players averaged in double figures in 2009, something that hasn't happened in Huntsville since 2002.

The Sam Houston women look to have strong leadership from four seniors who all were starters last year. Three - Whitney Smith, Brittany Brooks and Ray Alexander - have been with the program for four years.

Smith, a 5-11 forward, is a three-year starter who begins her senior season ranked No. 11 in Bearkat career scoring with 864 points and No. 8 in SHSU career rebounds (489). She averaged 10.3 points and 7.0 rebounds as a junior in 2009.

Brooks, a 5-5 guard who led the Bearkats in scoring with a 10.7 average in 2009, begins her senior season ranked No. 21 in Bearkat career scoring with 736 points in 86 games and No. 7 in SHSU all-time assists (270).

Alexander, a 5-4 guard, is a fifth-year senior with career totals of 412 points and 161 assists.

The fourth senior, Therese Hager started 23 games as a junior college transfer in 2009. She averaged 2.4 points and 3.0 rebounds and was a defensive standout for the Kats.

Bre Agnew, a 6-2 sophomore who started 15 times at post last year, will be a key factor for Sam Houston's inside game. Agnew averaged 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds. Khamra Echols, a 5-5 sophomore guard, brings additional depth on the perimeter after averaging 5.7 points per contest in 2008-09.

Britni Martin, the 5-11 sophomore who lettered in both soccer and basketball for Sam Houston in 2008-09, hopes to return from an August surgery. Martin averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds as a freshman.

To further strengthen the Bearkats for the 2010 campaign, Nichols and her staff have recruited two junior college transfers and three high school seniors.

LaTisha Morgan, a 6-2 post player from Moberly Area Community College in Georgia, played on a state championship team in high school. Terrah Austin, a 6-0 forward from Blinn College, ranked third in her NJCAA region in rebounding with 9.0 boards per contest. Junior forward Lauren Tippett, a transfer from San Jacinto Junior College will look to be a solid contributor in her first season in Huntsville.