RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team opens the 2019-20 season Saturday afternoon when the Hardrockers play host to the Waldorf University Warriors at 3:30 p.m. at Goodell Gymnasium in Rapid City.

The Hardrockers enter the season losing just one player to graduation in Taylor Molstad. The core of the team returns including four seniors (Sami Steffeck, Cooper Courtney, Anna Haugen and Molly McCabe). All four senior have tons of playing experience as they have all been competing since they were freshmen in the Hardrocker system.

Steffeck, who averaged 11.5 points a year ago, is the second-all-time three-point shooter for the 'Rockers (184). She needs 17 from downtown this year to become the all-time three-point shooter in Hardrocker history.  Courtney is also on that list, with 111 (and counting) ranking 16^th. With a productive season, she is sure to rise up in the standings.

Haugen returns as the team's leading rebounder, averaging 9.2 a season ago while McCabe was pulling in 5.5 each time out.

Also returning this season will be Ryan Weiss, Anna Combalia, Melissa Johnstone and Michaela Shaklee who all saw quality minutes and contributed last season. Weiss was sidelined with some injuries, but looks poised and ready to go as the season gets underway.

Saturday's matchup will be a first-ever meeting with Waldorf University, an NAIA program from Forest City, Iowa. Last season the Warriors finished with a 14-12 overall record, but started out this year a little behind the eight ball, falling, 113-40, to Dordt University before rebounding in a win over Nebraska Christian 80-64.

They have three players that score in double figures in Morgan Straight 14.5, Ashley Schindele (12.0) and Tina Van-Meter (10.5).

The game will be streamed live on the RMAC Network at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sdsmt/#ondemandtab and watch the livestats at: https://gorockers.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary .