MANKATO, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team is set to open play hosting Waldorf on Friday at 7:00 p.m., at Taylor Center

Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is entering her seventh season at the helm. She has amassed a 108-68 (.647) overall record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns an 82-50 (.627) career record.

Returning Mavericks: Minnesota State returns 10 players this season, including two seniors, guard Monica Muth of Cambridge, Wis., and Ashley Reed of Whitefish Bay, Wis., as well as a pair of juniors in Taylor Drost of Menomonee Falls, Wis., and Heidi Cap of Tripp, S.D.

Fresh Faces: Minnesota State will have five new faces for the 2018-19 campaign with the addition of five freshman: Tyra Boettcher of Boyceville, Wis., Rylee Menster of Springville, Iowa, Anna Wanek of Urbandale, Iowa, Mikayla Nachazel of Central City, Iowa, and Kristi Fett of Glenville, Minn. 

In the Northern Sun: Last season, Minnesota State was the second most effective team in the conference at getting to the charity stripe, earning 607 appearances at the line.  The Mavericks were also a force on the offensive glass in the season, averaging 14.0 offensive rebounds per game. Minnesota State also proved adept at taking the ball away from opponents, forcing 17.7 turnovers per game, the second best mark in the NSIC.

Player to Watch: Senior Monica Muth was named the Mavericks player to watch this season. Last season, Muth was the team leader in assists (76) and had the second most rebounds (153).  Muth also led the team in steals with 45 on the season.  Since debuting as a starter midway through her freshman season, Muth has made 66 consecutive starts for the Mavericks.  

Scouting Waldorf: Waldorf is located in Forest City, Iowa, and finished the 2017-18 season with a 6-21 overall record and 3-13 conference. The Warriors are members of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA). Waldorf is led by head coach Katie Schutjer who is in her fourth season with the Warriors.  

As a team last season, the Warriors netted 60.0 points per game in comparison to its opponents' 69.7. Waldorf also snatched 34.0 rebounds and handed out 12.0 assists per contest. 

This year will mark the third all-time meeting between these two programs and the Mavericks own a 2-0 record in the previous games.  

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will make its first road trip of the season as it travels to Marquette, Mich., to take on Northern Michigan Friday, Nov. 16 at noon, before traveling to Houghton, Mich., to take on Michigan Tech Sunday at noon.