Staff report

A visit to the defending national champion, a trip to Texas, and an expanded Great Midwest Athletic Conference slate highlight the 2013-14 Cedarville University women’s basketball schedule.

The Lady Jackets open at Ashland at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 5:30, and Eagles claimed the 2013 NCAA Division II national championship. The home opener is at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 against Bellarmine (Ky.).

Coach Kirk Martin, who begins his 13th year at Cedarville, saw his team go 20-10 last winter in its first active season in NCAA Division II.

If the Jackets hope to accomplish their sixth 20-win effort in a row and 12th in Martin’s tenure, they’ll have to solve some demanding customers in the process. However, the pressure is eased a bit in that all 12 players on the roster were part of the program last winter.

“Well, it’s certainly a tougher schedule than last year’s,” quipped Martin. “However, we have 10 juniors and seniors on the roster and this group is excited to take on anyone that’s in front of them.

“Opening the season at Ashland speaks for itself, and our two games in Texas are against teams that won games in the NCAA tournament. Bellarmine and Indianapolis are always good in the GLVC plus we have two GLIAC opponents.

“Don’t forget the G-MAC is bigger and better, especially with Kentucky Wesleyan joining us from the GLVC. Our type of athlete has always liked challenges, and we have many with this schedule.”

Martin, who is 313-86 in 12 years at his alma mater, welcomes back all five starters. While he did not have a senior a year ago, there are six to lead this season’s squad.

Sharpshooting senior guard Kayla Jenerette leads the veterans. The Greenville, S.C., native averaged 16 points per game last year and already has nearly 1,400 career points.

Backcourt mate Raegan Ryan, a junior guard from Canisteo, N.Y., averaged 10.3 points and 4.6 assists. Lauryn Robinson, a 6-foot-2 senior post from Washington Court House, supplied 5.6 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Deborah Chandler, a six-foot senior forward from Southlake, Texas, averaged 7.4 points, and 5-10 forward Kayla Linkous added 9.4 points as a freshman.