Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
With Expectations High, Racers Ready For 2021-22 Season
10/6/2021 4:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Turner returns four starters and 10 letterwinners for fourth season
After posting a winning overall and OVC record for the first time since 2008-09 last season, in addition to winning a tournament game for the first time since 2015-16, the Murray State women's basketball will enter the 2021-22 season with more eyes on them than in recent memory. However, for head coach Rechelle Turner, that is not something she is worried about, her and her team are only focused on taking the next step for the program. An OVC championship.
"We are not governed by external expectations," said Turner. "We intend to build on the success we experienced last season, but we have always set high expectations for our program and we always will. We are working every day to make sure that this team meets the expectations the coaching staff and players have set for this special group. We will never be satisfied with anything less than an OVC Championship."
Forming the foundation for this season's team will be 10 returners, including four starters from a year ago, to go along with six newcomers. In addition to the new players, former Murray High and Butler High head girl's coach joined Turner's staff over the offseason as the Director of Women's Basketball Operations. Foust was the only new addition to the staff this season, as assistants Amber Guffey and Monica Evans each return for their fourth season, while Sarah Jones returns for her second.
With four starters and six additional players returning for 2021-22, Murray State will retain 82.4-percent of its scoring and 67.6-percent of its rebounding. Among the returners are 2021 All-OVC first team selections Macey Turley.
Already a member of the 1,000-point club and 13th on the all-time scoring list, Turley will look to continue to improve, as she has done each season since she joined the Racers. The Murray native averaged a team-high 17.6 points and 3.3 assists per game last season and is now officially among the top 10 in program history for assists with 336.
For Young, she will look to build upon her Freshman of the Year-caliber first season with the Racers. The Oakwood, Illinois native averaged 14.1 points per game and led the OVC in rebounds per game (9.3), field goal percentage (50.2) and double-doubles (9).
"Our veteran players have the experience to know what it takes to win in the OVC," Turner stated. "Anytime you can have experience on the floor, it is an advantage. "The combination of our veteran players and the newcomers provide us with the deepest roster we have had since I became the head coach."
Fans will get their first peek at the latest edition of the Racers Nov. 1 when they host Trevecca Nazarene at the CFSB Center in an exhibition game. Eight days later, Murray State will officially begin its 2021-22 season on Nov. 9 when it welcomes Asbury to the CFSB Center for a rare 11 a.m. tip.
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"We are not governed by external expectations," said Turner. "We intend to build on the success we experienced last season, but we have always set high expectations for our program and we always will. We are working every day to make sure that this team meets the expectations the coaching staff and players have set for this special group. We will never be satisfied with anything less than an OVC Championship."
Forming the foundation for this season's team will be 10 returners, including four starters from a year ago, to go along with six newcomers. In addition to the new players, former Murray High and Butler High head girl's coach joined Turner's staff over the offseason as the Director of Women's Basketball Operations. Foust was the only new addition to the staff this season, as assistants Amber Guffey and Monica Evans each return for their fourth season, while Sarah Jones returns for her second.
With four starters and six additional players returning for 2021-22, Murray State will retain 82.4-percent of its scoring and 67.6-percent of its rebounding. Among the returners are 2021 All-OVC first team selections Macey Turley.
Already a member of the 1,000-point club and 13th on the all-time scoring list, Turley will look to continue to improve, as she has done each season since she joined the Racers. The Murray native averaged a team-high 17.6 points and 3.3 assists per game last season and is now officially among the top 10 in program history for assists with 336.
For Young, she will look to build upon her Freshman of the Year-caliber first season with the Racers. The Oakwood, Illinois native averaged 14.1 points per game and led the OVC in rebounds per game (9.3), field goal percentage (50.2) and double-doubles (9).
"Our veteran players have the experience to know what it takes to win in the OVC," Turner stated. "Anytime you can have experience on the floor, it is an advantage. "The combination of our veteran players and the newcomers provide us with the deepest roster we have had since I became the head coach."
Fans will get their first peek at the latest edition of the Racers Nov. 1 when they host Trevecca Nazarene at the CFSB Center in an exhibition game. Eight days later, Murray State will officially begin its 2021-22 season on Nov. 9 when it welcomes Asbury to the CFSB Center for a rare 11 a.m. tip.
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Players Mentioned
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