NATCHITOCHES -- It's a new day, a new season and a new roster for Northwestern State as the first official day of practice signals the beginning of the 2021-22 season.
 
There has been plenty of new for second-year head coach Anna Nimz since first stepping foot on campus just 14 months ago. That trend continues into this season with the addition of 11 new players from all different levels of competition.
 
Incoming freshmen, JUCO transfers, Division I transfers and the three returning players will all be battling for one of the coveted starting spots for the Lady Demons. That competition is what fuels Nimz and where the focus lies from the very beginning.
 
"There's just a different vibe when real practice starts," Nimz said. "Things start to come to a head, and you start to see people begin to separate themselves when we have that extra time. We're able to put them in positions to compete against each other and really allow them to shine."
 
With the influx of seasoned players from both the JUCO and Division I levels, not only will the Lady Demons have a different look during the upcoming season they'll have game experience as well. A roster that consisted of just three upperclassmen a year ago now has eight with nearly 60 Division I starts among them in the past two seasons.
 
Graduate transfer Monette Bolden from Louisiana Tech and Candice Parramore from Grambling carry the bulk of the DI experience. It's Southern Idaho teammates Karmelah Dean and Jordan Todd that bring their big-game experience to the table. Their Region 18 championship a season ago propelled them to a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament.
 
The players spent the past few weeks in small groups doing preseason workouts strengthening themselves for the season's grind. Not only were the getting stronger physically, but also building needed connections among a new group of teammates.
 
"We really bonded during those workouts the past few weeks and have gotten to know each other well," Jiselle Woodson a NJCAA All-American at Wallace State a year ago said. "I think that bond is strong and will carry into the season for sure.
 
"It's all there, the pieces and the energy. Today was a really good first day. We still have some things to work on, but it was a great first day."
 
The bonds built creates friendly competition throughout practice as the Lady Demons continue the process of perfecting the X's and O's on the court. 
 
"We're in the second year of implementing our offensive and defensive philosophy, culture and standards and we've done the same thing in back-to-back years," Nimz said. "With 11 new players we've allowed them to play against each other a little bit but this week and moving forward it's allowing that many different players to learn how to play together. 
 
"Yes, it needs to be structured and we need to get into our offense and defense, but they also need to understand their teammates tendencies and preferences. It's important for them to grow as a team but also figure out their role and how to be great at that role. There will be a battle for minutes so it's about doing the things that are going to keep them on the court."
 
The Lady Demons open the season at home on Nov. 9 against Centenary.