ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Rohan Naraine era of Mississippi Valley State soccer started with a 5-9-4 season in 2018, narrowly missing the SWAC Tournament with a ninth-place finish. This year, a refreshed roster of Devilettes look to return Valley to the top of the SWAC standings.

Joining the team this year is Franklyn Davies. No stranger to the SWAC, Davies was the coach for Alabama A&M from 2001-16. He won 94 games for the Bulldogs and led them to SWAC titles in 2003 and 2007. Davies will be an assistant coach and a study hall counselor.

"They look excited," Davies said. "They're ready. Working very hard in the weight room and on the field. It's a new process – learning the players as they go along. But I'm very confident in their performance."

Although the roster leans on the young side, a core group of veterans will anchor the squad. Miaya Richardson is the lone senior and will play a key role on defense. Four juniors will also look to lead, including Erika Smith and Adrienne Baker.

Six sophomores represent the largest class. The group includes McKenzie McCarthy, who returns at goalkeeper; Kristien Lindo and Ronia Pierre-Louis helping on defense, and striker Hannah Crise.

Five true freshmen expect to make an impact as well. Yeni Calles will provide versatility in the backfield, and Taiwo Badejo and Sierra Gray will work to fill gaps upfront.

Those gaps were left by the graduations of Laadi Issaka and Karenth Zabala-Terrazas. The pair of SWAC First-Team performers combined for 22 of the Devilettes' 31 goals a season ago. Issaka – who won SWAC Player of the Year – scored 17 goals and has now joined the coaching staff as a graduate assistant.

Davies believes the team is up to the test of filling those holes. "Those are big shoes to fill, but one thing about this group is they are up to the challenge. I see a lot of extra effort pushing in and the key will be the incoming freshmen. They are a core group who work together well, and they'll supply what's necessary to get the forwards in scoring position."

Another key to the team's success will be defending. A goal of the squad is to continue to cut down on goals allowed. In 2018, they reduced the number from 52 to 39, but it has remained an emphasis in practice this August.

"We have a good leader in Kristien Lindo [on defense]," Davies said. "We also have a freshman in Yeni who is very intelligent. So we are looking to stabilize that backline as quick as we can."

The enthusiasm brought on by the young players should help, combined with the experience and leadership of the upperclassmen and staff. Naraine – who enters his 15^th season as a college head coach – and Davies will look to guide this group into a sustainable future.

"My main goal is to help Coach Rohan succeed," Davies said. "That's why I'm here. We work daily to get goals accomplished and talk constantly on the shape of the team. Then we try to get it implemented on the field. My experience in the SWAC will help me in helping Coach Rohan achieve his goals for the season."

The Devilettes will play 16 regular season matches, with 10 in conference play. The first five matches will be away from Itta Bena, beginning with two bouts against Nicholls State August 23^rd and 24^th. Three weeks later, the team returns for the home opener September 14^th versus Green Bay.