The ACU Wildcats women's basketball team is gearing up for an ambitious summer schedule that takes them across the Atlantic to Greece, where they will stage a series of exhibition matches and intensive practices before the regular season begins.
A strategic summer
Rather than waiting for the traditional preseason, the Wildcats are using the extra practice time allowed by NCAA regulations to fine‑tune their systems and give newcomers a crash course in the team's tempo.
Head coach Julie Goodenough has framed the overseas trip as more than a novelty; she views it as a decisive edge that can translate into a stronger on‑court product when the schedule officially opens.
At the heart of the roster is senior center Meredith Mayes, who is eager to return to action after a season‑ending injury last year. Mayes notes that the camaraderie built off the court has already begun to shape the chemistry they will rely on during games.
Leadership and chemistry
Goodenough highlights the pivotal role of the returning veterans in driving productive summer workouts, while Mayes adds that existing friendships off the court make it easier to trust one another when the pressure mounts.
The trip also serves as a proving ground for new players and fresh coaching ideas, with the coaching staff hoping the accelerated exposure will compress months of development into a few weeks of high‑intensity work.
Looking ahead
As the Wildcats prepare to board their flight, the blend of seasoned leadership, renewed health and the promise of competitive foreign opposition sets the stage for what could be a breakout season in the coming months.