Photo by Sydnee Horstman.

The changing of the seasons means the basketball season is underway.

The Saint Ambrose University Women’s basketball team has made some changes in the program. Back in the spring of 2023, the SAU Athletic Department named a new head coach for the program, Zac Exume. With a new face leading the program, fans expect to see some changes on the court for the Bees.

Another change you will notice is how young the team is. The team returns all of the
freshmen from the team a season ago, but also adds some young talent in freshman and transfers.

When we talked to Coach Exume in a preseason interview, he says, “What [fans] can
expect coming to a game, is seeing a team get up and down, and hopefully, hearing them
communicate on a consistent basis throughout those 40 minutes.”

The season opener that the Bees hosted on November 1st in Lee Lohman Arena, against
the defending national champions, Clarke University, was an opportunity to see some of those
changes. The team was getting up and down the court and talking to their teammates to try to
win, against a hard non-conference match-up. It wasn’t enough for the Bees, losing 95-55.

When we talked to a junior transfer, Kashell Daudgty, of the SAU women’s basketball
team about the game, she says, “It was definitely a memorable moment! We knew the game
would be tough. We have a long ways to go, but the main priority right now is to get better as a
team.”

Although the Bees did not get the outcome that they anticipated, it’s only the beginning
of the season.

They are ready to continue to work together to keep improving against opponents. When
we talked to Daughty about looking ahead, she says, “I’m looking forward to building a stronger
bond with these ladies and working with them so we can become dominant!”

Although it was a rough start, they are looking forward to working together and build the
program.

When we talked to junior transfer, Kania Starks about the season, she says, “Competition
isn’t always going to be easy but that’s a challenge that I signed up for, especially being the point
guard. I’m happy to represent the bees and Coach X as he recruited me. This team has a lot of
potential and I’m just glad I have the opportunity to lead the girls.”

The Bees also traveled to Missouri on November 8 to play non-conference opponent
Missouri Baptist. They dropped this game, but look to bounce back when they host their first
conference match-up against St. Francis of Illinois on November 21st for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
If you would like to support the women’s basketball team, you can find their full season
game schedule on saubees.com, as well as on the teams Instagram page (@sau.wbb).

Lily Reid is a staff writer for The Buzz.