Season Outlook 2016-17

The Daytona State Women's Basketball team continues to prepare for the 2016-17 season following their historic run in 2015-16. They will have to do it though, without the services of seven super sophomores that carried last year's team through an undefeated conference season and on to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament. Six of those seven sophomores have moved on to play at four-year institutions where they will have an immediate impact. With a new staff and nearly an entirely new team, Daytona State looks to firmly compete against in state rivals and challenge for another Mid-Florida Conference Championship.

Returning from the 2015-16 team are sophomores Njeri Nelms (5'5, Point Guard) and Ka'Neeshia Brown (6'2, Center). Both Nelms and Brown look to be major contributors for the team this season. Nelms has the ability to play point guard or shooting guard, but excels at leading and facilitating. Early on, Brown appears ready to carry the load on the interior for the Falcons this year. Adding collegiate experience are sophomore transfers Kaylee Barnard (5'8, Shooting Guard) and Arielle Harvey (6'0, Small Forward). Barnard and Harvey have stepped in to fill leadership positions on the roster throughout the preseason. Barnard brings high basketball IQ along with the ability to knock down shots from distance. Harvey provides versatility to the Falcons and can play and defend at multiple positions. Sophomore Alexus Sharp (6'0, Power Forward) also joins the Women's Basketball Team this season as a Daytona State dual sport athlete.

Rounding out the list of newcomers are seven freshmen. A trio of guards from the Jacksonville area: Destiny Arvinger (5'3, Point Guard), Tykkia Early (5'7, Shooting Guard) and Simone Darsey (5'10, Small Forward) all look to have an immediate impact on the lineup. Arvinger is an athletic point guard that facilitates as well as scores. Both Early and Darsey look to challenge in their roles as shooting guards. South Florida natives, Tiara King (5'11, Power Forward) and Isis Julmiste (6'0, Power Forward) both look to help Brown on the interior with strong rebounding, scoring and defense. Hailing from Putnam County, Georgia, Ebony Hargrove (5'10, Shooting Guard) also looks to make an immediate impact with her ability to score at various levels. Louisiana native Lauren West (5'3, Point Guard) rounds out the roster and brings a tough and gritty mindset to the point guard position.