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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – With its season opener just over five weeks away, the Northern Arizona women's basketball team officially kicked down the doors and held its first official day of practice Thursday morning. Thursday was the first of 30 scheduled practices heading into the Lumberjacks' opener against Hawaii on Nov. 10.

"The team has made great progress over the last 30 days and if we can make the same amount of progress over the next 30 days, we'll be ready for Hawaii," said head coach Sue Darling, who enters her second season in charge of the Lumberjack women's basketball program. "We are light years ahead today than we were on our first day last year."

The Lumberjacks had a spirited first day of practice after spending the summer months conducting summer practice sessions and individual workouts. Darling's squad will use every moment to prepare prior to Nov. 10 having to work in 10 new faces – eight of whom are freshmen – with just three returning players.

"For the first practice I think it went pretty well," said junior forward Erikka Banks. "I think we still have a lot of work to do but I'm not worried. The freshmen are very coachable and they know what they're doing. I have a lot of faith in my teammates and we'll be ready."

Along with Banks, the Lumberjacks return senior Amanda Frost, the team's second-leading scorer last year, and junior Raven Anderson this season.