Augusta, Ga. - The wait is over for the Augusta Universty women's basketball team as the season starts this weekend. The Jaguars are hosting the Conference Challenge and will take on North Greenville University on Friday at 7 p.m. and then Barton College Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Expectations are high for Augusta and coach Celeste Stewart is anxious to get the season started.

It's a good mix of experienced players and younger players that will make an immediate impact. There have been challenges in the preseason but Stewart likes how the team has responded to what they have faced.

"Just being able to fight through that adversity," said Stewart. "We're learning, we're figuring it out as a team.We've had to fight through some adversity early on but I think that's going to serve as a benefit as we go forward."



AU returns Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Quinasia Abercrombie who brings all facets of the game to the court. Abercrombie will be joined by other returning players Elyse Autrey and Sierra Burns, who should be impact players. Also, a few newcomers will be stepping right into the fire. Among them is Nadiyah Byard, who has fit in since the start.

"Nadiyah has been great for us. It's almost like she's already played for me, which is a good thing. She brings in that experience which is great," added Stewart. 

The new faces have been able to adapt to Stewart's style on the court and have gelled quickly with the returning players. 

"We have a lot of talent, and now we just have to put it together," said Stewart.

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