Missy Tiber finally gets to make her SIU debut.
The SIU women’s basketball team opens their season with an exhibition match this Sunday at 3:05 p.m. against Quincy. This will be the first game coached by Tiber at SIU.
The exhibition game will be the first of two, with the second game being played on Nov. 7 against Washington (Mo.).
Tiber said she is excited to finally get the team on the floor.
“It’s a new beginning and a new era of women’s basketball here at Southern Illinois,” Tiber said. “The girls have worked unbelievably hard to get to this point and the game day is our reward.”
Senior Katie Wagner will also be making her debut with the team after spending four years playing softball for the Salukis.
Wagner said it has been a long wait for this game.
“I feel like we have been practicing and working up to this point for forever,” Wagner said. “I’m just ready to see the product which we have been working hard to produce.”
Tiber said there is not any pressure on the team to perform well because it is an exhibition game but wants to make sure the team is well prepared for its first match of the season.
Quincy finished last season 27-5 with a 16-1 conference record in the Great Lakes Valley conference.
Last season, the Salukis won both of their exhibition games beating Christian Brothers 77-46 and defeating Lambuth 80-56.
Tiber said winning is not the only thing she is concerned with for the exhibition matches.
“I expect that every time we get on the court, whether it is in practice or in a game, we’ll get better,” Tiber said. “We’re learning the system and we have to continue to have pride in what we are doing as Salukis and that we represent our institution as best we can.”
Tiber said senior leadership would be important establishing her up-tempo system at SIU.
“It’s important that they not only lead by example but guide our program to make sure we are better in the future,” Tiber said. “They can leave legacy as seniors and help shape the program even after they lead.”
Senior guard Christine Presswood said she looks forward to embracing a leadership role for the team.
“I want to show them how important leadership is to a team,” Presswood said. “If you have leadership and the team acts responsible, the team comes together.”
Presswood said she especially wants to reach out to freshman point guard Katerina Garcia and prepare her for the future at SIU.
Wagner said she wants to help shape the team too, even though it is her first year on the basketball team.
“I want to help give this team a winning attitude,” Wagner said. “There is nothing more that I want to see this team do than win.”
Winning is not something they did much of last year, as the Salukis finished with a 9-18 record.
Wagner said last season is not a concern for the team.
“We are focusing entirely on this season, it is a whole new year for us,” Wagner said. “You don’t ever want to try to look back, you just want to learn from the last year and move on.”
Tiber said she would like to get this season started out with a win.
“I want to win, I am a winner and that is my mentality,” Tiber said. “If we don’t win, I will be disappointed. I want them to look like a basketball team that has been well coached.”
Derek Robbins can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 269
