DENTON, Tex. (10/10/06) The North Texas women’s basketball team begins defense of its Sun Belt Conference West Division title with the start of practice on Friday, October 13.

The Mean Green returns nine letterwinners from last year’s squad that won 19 games and its fourth division title in the past eight seasons.

Along with an influx of talented newcomers and a mix of veteran leadership the Mean Green is poised to continue their reign in the Sun Belt Conference. North Texas has six upperclassmen, but eight players who enter the year as either sophomore’s or freshman.

The centerpieces for North Texas will be a number of players led by junior’s Erica Howard and Talicia Sanders, and sophomore’s Sanetra Jackson and Amber Jackson. Senior Didi Wali is also going to see an expanded role with her leadership.

North Texas will practice throughout the month of October in preparations for its first exhibition game of the season on November 3. The Mean Green begins the 2006-07 season against the Baylor Bears in the Preseason WNIT on November 10.