1. The Bluejays were tabbed to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference behind Illinois State. This is an improvement from their fourth place finish in the conference last season, in which the Jays finished 21-12.

2. Jim Flanery begins his seventh season as head coach and his 17th straight season coaching at Creighton. He is joined by assistant coaches Steve Huber, Jenny Vickers and new addition Dayna Finch.

3. Chevelle Herring is taking point guard this season after redshirting last season due to a pre-season knee injury. The junior is looking to build on the success of her sophomore season when she scored a career-best 18 points against Missouri.

4. Sophomore guard Kelsey Woodard returns as the Jays’ leader scorer, averaging 10.4 points last season. She also set a record by being MVC Newcomer of the Week six times.

5. DaNae Moore is the lone freshman joining the Bluejays. Sophomore Stephani Rhoten comes to the Jays after playing a season at Seward County Community College.

6. The senior duo of Michelle Kaus and Kristina Voss are essential to the team’s success this year. Their leadership will be needed to fill the shoes of graduating seniors Sara Cain and Ally Thrall.

7. The Jan. 31 contest against Drake at the Qwest Center Omaha will be a decisive match for the Jays. The Bulldogs are picked to finish third in the conference.

8. The Jays were 11-1 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium last season. They expect to thrive in their 17 home matches this year, their last season at the Civic.

9. The Bluejays continue to be a presence in the post-season. The 2004 WNIT championship is proof that the team has the strength to succeed on a national level.

10. The Bluejays play their first regular-season home game against Nebraska on Monday. The Huskers outlasted the Jays 79-65 last season at the Devaney Center.