"We’ll put points on the board," said third-year coach Melissa Jones. "We know we’ll get offense from our returners, but we’ve got to stop people."

Stop people, they must. Monmouth proved last season they could score. Their 71.8 average was second in the league, but they were eighth in scoring defense.

Jones is hoping her freshman class can provide some needed defensive pressure to compliment last year’s scoring machines.

The Scots return most of the points from last year’s 12-11 team with national rebounding champion, senior Ashley Yeast (13.7 rpg/12.5 ppg), junior Melissa Gorski (14.1 ppg) and sophomore Elise Waldorf (10.6 ppg) leading the pack. Lost to graduation are four-year starters Mallory Mulvihill and leading scorer Laura Jahn (14.7 ppg.)

"We should be able to offset Laura’s lost points with increased scoring off the bench," predicts Jones.

Junior Katie Sheets, who Jones calls "the strongest shooter I’ve ever seen," could be called on to add some points from long range.

"She has amazing range," noted Jones. "That should really help our inside-outside game."

Inside, things begin with Yeast and her lofty rebounding totals from a year ago. The nation’s best was regarded as more of a rebounder that a scoring threat despite her Midwest Conference-leading 15 double-doubles last season.

Yeast has taken that slight to heart, working on post moves and footwork over the off season.

"A lot of Ashley’s points came off of putbacks," said Jones, herself a post player at Monmouth.

Waldorf, who Jones notes has grown a bit over the summer, will move to playing more at the power forward spot. While sacrificing some of Waldorf’s outside game, Jones believes the move will make for a more potent offensive attack.

"Elise’s move was a natural since we’re guard-heavy and she’s such a powerful player," said Jones.

Gorksi will stay at the two position where she hit seven treys last year and pulled down 85 rebounds. The junior from Arlington Heights will also provide "a ton of leadership" both on and off the court.

Sophomore Lynsey Barnard, fresh off an all-conference golf season, will likely split time at the point guard position with newcomer Justine Boone.

"Justine is a very strong, coachable player," praises Jones. "She needs to improve on some freshman mistakes, but that is typical for a player making the transition to college ball."

Also impressing Jones in the early season is freshman Alison Andrews from Algonquin. Andrews will likely play in the two or three spot and Jones calls her a strong all-around player.

"We’re stronger than ever one through eight," claims Jones.

Speaking of strong, you can’t leave junior Tanesha Hughes out of the mix. The Peoria product brings in a powerful game averaging a point and or a rebound every two minutes.

"Tanesha’s success in volleyball and track and field will definitely transfer over to the basketball court," predicts Jones. "She may be the most physical player in our conference."

Jones also noted junior Apryl Wishecoby and 5-10 freshman Erica Puig will add to the team’s strength. Wishecoby will "bring the team up a notch" with her positive approach and practice habits. Puig is predicted to round into shape once she fully adjusts to the increased speed and physical play of college ball.

"We want to win," stated Jones. "We’re ready to pick our game up to compete at a championship level, and we believe we’ve got the players to compete at a high level every day."