BEAUMONT, Texas - Returning to the court officially for the first time since repeating as the Southland Conference regular season champions, Lamar University's women's basketball team hosted its first official practice of the year Monday at the Montagne Center. It also happened to be the first practice for the Cardinals under new head coach Aqua Franklin.

The 12 members of the 2019-20 Cardinal hoops team have had informal workouts for the past few weeks, but Monday's session is the first full practice under Franklin and her new staff in preparation for the Nov. 5 exhibition game against East Texas Baptist and the season opener on Nov. 8 at Oklahoma State.

Franklin became the 14th head coach in program history on May 1, 2019, following the departure of Robin Harmony. She comes to LU with 10 years of coaching experience which includes the previous four seasons serving as the associate head coach at Kansas. Her résumé also includes one year as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin before making stops at Mississippi State and her first stint at Kansas.

"I am honored and proud to be named the next women's basketball coach at Lamar University," said Franklin on the date of her hiring. "One of my dreams has been to be a head coach in my home state. My Texas background and connections make Lamar the perfect place for me. My staff and I will be committed to our student-athletes in engaging and empowering them to be the best version of themselves on and off the court. We will compete at the highest level and continue the winning tradition as a championship level program. This is a special opportunity and I am thankful for Dr. Kenneth Evans, Marco Born and the rest of the administration for their trust and support."

Joining Franklin in the 2019-20 campaign are recruiting coordinator Rodney Hill, new assistant Charinee Mitchell, returnee Empress Davenport, and Director of Operations Hannah Gentry.

This year's roster features eight Cards returning from the 2018-19 squad including Jadyn Pimentel, Briana Laidler, Ashlan Miles, Umaja Collins, and Rikiah Cowart, who all received at least nine starts in last year's championship run. Angel Hastings and Shedricka Pierson played in 26 games apiece and Kyla Green appeared in another 10 games. Amber Vidal joins Big Red on the court this season after sitting out 2018-19 due to NCAA transfer rules.

New to Lamar this season are freshmen Kayla Mitchell and Malay McQueen and junior transfer Micaela Wilson, who followed Franklin from the University of Kansas.

The Southland Conference poll is expected to be released soon, as is the 2019-20 SLC Preseason All-Conference teams.

A full breakdown of the 2019-20 schedule can be found here, and for ticket information fans can call 409-880-1715 or click here.