Guard Bethany Caudill, right, was a starter for the Slippery Rock University women's basketball team last season, but the sophomore will have to compete for the job this time around.

SLIPPERY ROCK — Eight players are back, four more are junior college transfers and four others are high school recruits.

First-year Slippery Rock University women's basketball coach Tanya Longo's task is to make sense of it all.

"Everybody is new to me — and I'm new to them," Longo said.

Longo was an assistant coach at Southern Illinois last season and is trying to turn around a program that has reached the PSAC Tournament only once in the past eight seasons. The 2009-10 team was 6-21 and this year's team has only one senior — 5-foot-11 guard Grace Palucis.

Palucis averaged 6.1 points per game while 5-9 sophomore guard Bethany Caudill averaged 7.6. The two are returning starters, but they most earn those starting roles again.

"We're in for a long process here with a lot of different scenarios," Longo said. "It'd be ideal to know who my starting five are right now, but I have no idea.

"Through some organized scrimmages and our exhibition game (tonight at Cleveland State), we'll have something put together by Nov. 15. Right now, we're testing the waters."

Longo is counting on Palucis to be a leader on the floor.

"Seniors are always leaders, whether they want to be or not," she said.

SRU officially opens the 2010-11 season Nov. 15, at home against Tiffin (Ohio).

Emilee Vitez, a 6-foot sophomore forward, started 13 games as a freshman. Tynesha Lee, a 6-2 sophomore, started four games last year.

Alex Beatty, Kara Lazauskas, Katelyn Griffin and Butler graduate Lyndsy Day — all sophomores — are other holdovers.

"It's nice to have so many players back because they gained a little experience at this level," Longo said. "We are going to play up-tempo and run the floor.

"I know we're in a strong league and I like that. I relish the competition because that's what will make us better. If you're stuck in a bad league, you can't grow."

Slippery Rock is picked to finish seventh in the eight-team PSAC West.

Longo's junior college transfers include guards Marlynda Harland, Shannon Lee and Sherita Staley, along with 6-0 post player Danielle Smith.

High school recruits are guards Julie Byer (Conemaugh Township), Libby Gerstel (Brentwood), Kathie Rathman (Cocalico) and Ashley Vasquez (Marist, N.J.).

"We'll learn the players' strengths and utilize them," Longo said. "I don't anticipate having one star player averaging 20 points per game and I don't want that.

"The players we have will thrive more in my style of play. The long-range goal here is to win a national championship. That process begins today."

2010-11 scheduleNov. 3-at Cleveland State (exhibition), 7 p.m.; Nov. 15-TIFFIN, 6 p.m.; Nov. 19-at Merrimack, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 20-vs. Indianapolis or Shepherd at Merrimiack, TBA; Nov. 28-FINDLAY, 1 p.m.Dec. 4-at Urbana, 2 p.m.; Dec. 8-at Pitt-Johnstown, 5:30 p.m.; Dec. 11-NOTRE DAME (OHIO), 1 p.m.; Dec. 30-at Seton Hill, 2 p.m.Jan. 3-at East Stroudsburg, 6 p.m.; Jan. 4-at Kutztown, 6 p.m.; Jan. 8-BLOOMSBURG, 1 p.m.; Jan. 9-MANSFIELD, 1 p.m.; Jan. 12-CLARION, 6 p.m.; Jan. 15-at Indiana (Pa.), 5:30 p.m.; Jan. 19-at Lock Haven, 6 p.m.; Jan. 22-MERCYHURST, 1 p.m.; Jan. 26-CALIFORNIA (Pa.), 6 p.m.; Jan. 29-at Edinboro, 1 p.m.Feb. 2-GANNON, 6 p.m.; Feb. 5-at Clarion, 5:30 p.m.; Feb. 9-LOCK HAVEN, 6 p.m.; Feb. 12-INDIANA (Pa.), 6 p.m.; Feb. 16-at California (Pa.), 6 p.m.; Feb. 19-at Mercyhurst, 1 p.m.; Feb. 23-at Gannon, 5:30 p.m.; Feb. 26-EDINBORO, 1 p.m.

<B>Western Division</B>1. California (Pa.) (4)2. Indiana (Pa.) (2)3. Gannon (1)4. Edinboro (1)5. Mercyhurst6. Gannon7. Slippery Rock8. Lock Haven<B>Eastern Division</B>1. Millersville (5)2. Bloomsburg (1)3. West Chester (1)4. Kutztown (1)5. Shippensburg6. CheyneyT7. East StroudsburgT7. Mansfield<B>Preseason All-PSAC West</B>Amy Achesinski (Mercyhurst), Renee' Brown (Edinboro), Lacey Claar (IUP), Julie Kleber (Gannon), Sarah Pastorek (IUP), Kayla Smith (California)<B>Preseason All-PSAC East</B>Kelsey Gallagher (Bloomsburg), Kasey Gardner (Shippensburg), Melissa McQuade Kutztown), Mallory Moore (Mansfield), Mashira Newman (Millersville), Dana Wieller (Bloomsburg)