As the final seconds tick away, the fans rise to their feet, and a deafening roar envelops the environment inside the D.J. Sokol Arena. Creighton women’s basketball has just defeated the University of Nebraska at Omaha in an exhibition game.

The team returns four starters from last season’s squad who finished with a 22-12 mark.

Last season included a second place regular season Valley finish and runner-up finish at the conference tournament.

This season the Bluejays have been chosen to finish first in the Missouri Valley

Conference.

“Being picked first is mostly a reflection of what we’re bringing back from last season,” head coach Jim Flanery said.

“We want our expectations to be high but we know it doesn’t mean much at this point. Close to half of the teams can contend this season, so we can’t get ahead of ourselves.”

Several players echoed the sentiment the coaches expressed.

“We’ve worked hard but we know we still have a ways to go,” senior guard Chevelle

Herring said.

“It’s nice to have that honor, but we know that there have been a number of times where the first-picked team isn’t playing in the tournament at the end of the season and that is

our focus.”

Of the four starters, three were all-conference players a season ago.

Senior forward Megan Neuvirth returns as reigning Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and also the preseason favorite to win the same award.

“I was shocked, but personal accomplishments don’t matter,” Neuvirth said. “The only thing that matters is that the team does well.”

Neuvirth also heads the preseason all-MVC team that includes Maggie Krick of Illinois State, Casey Garrison of Missouri State, Kelsey Luna of Indiana State and Jordann Plummer of Drake.

“We bring lots of experience to the game this year with several players who have been together for a while,” Neuvirth said.

The Jays open their season tonight at 8:35 in the D.J. Sokol Arena against Arkansas State.