The NAIT Ooks women's basketball team is coming into the 2022-23 season on a high note after a storybook ending to the 2021-22 season. Against all odds, the NAIT Ooks brought home the 2022 CCAA National Championship. This was the first National title for the NAIT Ooks women's basketball program, and they were also the first female team to win a National Championship in NAIT history.
The team has made some changes ahead of the new season, including a coaching change as Kiera Lyons has taken over the reins this season from long-time women's basketball coach Todd Warnick. As a student-athlete, Lyons played for the Augustana Vikings for two years before moving to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to finish her collegiate career. She completed her career as a captain with a Canada West championship and two Final Eight appearances.
The NAIT Ooks have added six players to their lineup this season. All seven returning players are in their second year of eligibility, creating a young atmosphere for this team.
"As a very young team, we will have lots of first years contributing throughout the season in a variety of different ways. Most first years get a bit of a buffer year to adjust to the level and expectations; currently, our team doesn't have that luxury. They're getting a crash course in college basketball right out of the gate, but I'm confident they're up for the challenge," said Lyons.
Although they are young, no one should underestimate the NAIT Ooks this season based on the age of their roster.
"We have a high level of compete on our roster and girls that are willing to work. I look forward to the growth of our team as the season progresses," said Lyons, "our success will depend on the contributions made by everyone on the roster. We have returners with a national championship on their resumes who understand that winning is a symptom of buy-in and culture. For us to compete this year, we'll need that from top to bottom."
There will be a banner-raising ceremony for the 2021-22 CCAA National banner on October 29th, ahead of their 8 PM start against the Augustana Vikings.
The NAIT Ooks women's basketball season goes from October 21st to February 18th. The ACAC Championship will be held in Lethbridge from March 2-4. The season will come to a close at Mohawk College in Hamilton, ON, on March 15-18, 2023, for the CCAA National Championship.
The NAIT Ooks home-opener is on Friday, October 21st, at 6:00 PM in the NAIT gym. Catch the action in person, on ACACTV or Telus Optik channel 1998.