The 2016-17 season for Creighton’s women’s basketball team resulted in numerous accomplishments. The Jays were ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in 25 season won a share of the Big East regular-season title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Now going into the new season and losing two key contributors, the Bluejays challenged to keep up with the success that they found last year. 

It all starts with the “Big 3” that the Jays have found. Senior guard Sydney Lamberty, junior forward Audrey Faber and sophomore forward Jaylyn Agnew form a trio that offers much versatility for coach Jim Flanery. 

Faber has led the Jays in scoring both her freshman and sophomore seasons, despite being a point of emphasis for opposing defenses. She scored 12.8 points per game last season, and earned a spot on the All-Big East first team. Her accomplishments are being recognized and the expectations look to rise for Faber after being named to the preseason All-Big East team this year.

With Marissa Janning now graduated, Lamberty is set to be the primary ball handler for the Jays this season. She was second on the team last season with 138 assists, and played well in important games, earning her a spot on the Big East All-Tournament team. One key trait of Lamberty is how efficient she is with the ball in her hands. Last season, Lamberty posted a 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio, good for 18th in the country.

Agnew will provide a new dynamic for the Jays in the starting line up. Coming off the bench last season, Agnew found a way to score 7.1 points per game and grab 3.5 rebounds, ultimately winning the Big East freshman of the year award. Agnew found herself playing her best in some of the biggest games, averaging 10.4 points against NCAA Tournament teams. 

Opposing teams may tend to focus on these three players defensively, but the Jays have talent elsewhere to ease the pressure away from the “Big Three.”

“There is pressure on us, but I think there are a bunch of other girls on our team that can make shots and can make plays,” Lamberty said. “So when there is a lot of pressure and they are keying in on us, we know that we can count of any of them too.”

One player that the Jays may turn to for extended playing time is freshman Temi Carda. Carda played 21 minutes during Creighton’s exhibition against Northern State last week, putting in valuable minutes while the game remained close until the end. She also contributed 15 points in a closed-door scrimmage against Iowa on Oct. 29. 

“She’s done enough to earn her [playing time],” Flanery said. “I thought it was good to see her down the stretch playing within herself.”

Flanery appears to be leaning towards senior Kylie Brown to play alongside Faber in the frontcourt. Brown appeared in 31 of the Jays 32 games last season, averaging 5.8 minutes a game. Sophomore Ali Greene, senior Bailey Norby and freshman Gracey Griglione all could be in line for minutes as well.

In the backcourt alongside Lamberty, Agnew and Carda, Flanery has plenty of depth to turn to. Sophomore Olivia Elger, junior Brooke Kissinger, senior Myah Mellman, freshman Tatum Rembao and senior Aimee Rischard will all have an opportunity to contribute. Junior guard Jade Owens missed all of last season because of injury and won’t be available to begin the season but is set to return to the court this year.

While the Jays may have lost three starters in Marissa Janning, Brianna Rollerson and Lauren Works, the expectations are still high for this season’s team. 

“There is no doubt that we’re good enough to get back to the NCAA Tournament,” Flanery said. “We have to be focused enough to [be] concentrated, but relaxed enough to simply believe in themselves then go out and play.”

Creighton’s season gets under way at 11:30 A.M.on Nov. 10, battling Wichita State at D.J. Sokol Arena.