MOUNT VERNON – A Midwest Conference Tournament semifinalist a season ago, Cornell's women's basketball team is projected to be back among the league's top contenders going into the 2023-24 campaign.
 
Coach Brent Brase's Rams are picked second in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 55 points and one first-place vote. Last year's co-champion Ripon is the favorite with 64 points and eight first-place nods.
 
"Our team is in a great place, caring for each other as teammates, accepting coaching and wanting to continue to improve. That's really exciting," said Brase, the program's winningest coach with 220 victories through 18 seasons on the Hilltop.
 
The Rams get a heavy dose of home games to start the season, including Wednesday's Bremner Cup opener against rival Coe at 5:30 p.m. inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center. The Rams host the Cornell Classic Nov. 11-12 and welcome Wartburg Nov. 15 before making their first road trip Nov. 20 against Crown.
 
The nonconference schedule is highlighted by a Dec. 21 road game against NCAA Division I Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill.
 
The Rams return three starters from last season's 10-14 squad that placed third in the MWC race at 9-7. Senior guard Kali March heads the group, earning second team all-MWC honors in 2022-23.
 
March's MWC-best 83 steals rank second-most on Cornell's single-season list. She also accumulated 80 assists and averaged 8.7 points per game with 33 3-point goals.
 
Senior forwards Ani'ja Simmons and Rachael Adewusi also provide starting experience. Simmons averaged 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. Adewusi, sidelined most of last season due to injury, averaged 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds as a sophomore.
 
Juniors Mia Murray and Victoria Saucedo and sophomores A'ryn Jackson and Rylee VanDresar were regulars in last season's rotation, all playing at least 17 games.
 
The Rams graduated multi-year starters Madison Wauters, Madison Osborn and Megan Gandrup. Wauters ranks among Cornell's career top 15 in points, rebounds and blocked shots.
 
"Our whole team is learning to understand that they can all provide leadership roles," Brase said. "They all have strengths in those areas and we're looking forward to the challenge."
 
Cornell has played in the MWC Tournament eight of the past 10 years, claiming four regular-season titles during the span.
 
"Our goal is to play with a purpose that is greater than any individual," Brase said. "We need to be selfless teammates, play with effort and enthusiasm, and respond positively to all situations."