ANDERSON, S.C. - Following a memorable 2014-15 season, Anderson University women's basketball, the defending South Atlantic Conference regular-season champion, returns to the hardwood on Sunday with higher expectations after finishing the year one win away from its first trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

With just two starters lost due to graduation, the Trojans return a main core that became the first SAC team to win 20 conference games in a season and finished the year with a 27-5 overall record. Third-year head coach Jimmy Garrity, who was named the SAC Coach of the Year a season ago, is 43-19 over his two-year span, headlined by an impressive 22-5 mark inside the Abney Athletic Center.

Following a 71-53 triumph over No. 3 ranked Columbus State in the NCAA Tournament Round-of-32 to advance to the Sweet 16, Anderson saw its impressive season cut down by No. 2 ranked Limestone before the Saints eventually advanced to the Final Four. A major part of the Trojans' run through the postseason was the play of Jasmine Franklin, who returns to the team for her senior season. In October, Franklin was named the Preseason All-SAC First Team after averaging 14.8 points per game during AU's postseason.

Also earning Preseason All-SAC accolades was junior forward Alexis Dillard, who landed on the second team. Dillard also shined during the postseason, recording her first double-double of the season in a 16-point, 13-rebound performance in the victory over Columbus State. Dillard comes into the season in fourth place in the program's all-time blocks list with 75 through her first two seasons.

The tandem will look to replace a guard duo from last season that accounted for just over 31 percent of the team's scoring output from a season ago. The 2015 SAC Player of the Year, Sierra Simpson, moves to the bench for this season after being hired as an Assistant Coach in early August, while sharpshooter Lesley Woods ended her career as the most prolific 3-point shooter in program history. Simpson and Woods were joined by center Jaclyn Moore as the graduating class from a season ago.

The point guard position, along with the shooting guard slot, will be up for grabs on Sunday, as Garrity returns senior Madison Floyd, juniors Heather Jankowy and Nakia Young and sophomore Jasmine Raynor who all played significant time at the guard position a year ago. Young and Jankowy both could share time at the point guard position, while Floyd will look to replace Woods as she enters the year with 85 made 3-pointers for her career. Raynor, who spent most of the time learning the offense, will see a larger role in 2015-16 after seeing action in 15 games.

In addition to the four returners at the guard position, freshmen Cassie Ketchum and Tamia Eatmon could see time in the rotation. Kethum is a well-rounded athlete earning over 17 varsity letters at Boone High School in Orlando, Fla., while Eatmon led Chapel Hill High School to three North Carolina 3A state titles, headlined by a perfect 32-0 record in her junior season.

Joining Dillard on the blocks will be key returners of seniors Jennifer Monroe and Katie Davis. Monroe shined in the middle of last season, seeing a span of three double-doubles in four games and scoring in double figures in nine contests. Davis, who has battled through injuries throughout her collegiate career, could see an increased role after averaging 10.3 minutes a game in 2014-15. Also returning to the roster is junior Bailey Sims and sophomore Kaylee Koerperich who provided depth to the forward position all year long.

Newcomers Sara Goble and Erika Martin will look to provide extra depth this season, as both players come to Anderson following success prep careers. Goble tallied a double-double in the North Carolina State Championship game in her junior season as she led her team to a 31-1 overall record, while Martin was rated as a three-star recruit and the 74th best forward in the country by ESPN following her 15 double-doubles in her senior season.

The high expectations started in late October when the conference coaches predicted AU would win its second straight conference title and its third championship in the past four seasons. Four coaches slotted the Trojans first in their respective poll, as they edged Wingate and Catawba by five points, as both teams finished tied for second. The preseason ranking is the first time Anderson has been picked the win the league, as the Trojans have not been picked higher than sixth in any preseason poll since 2010.

Anderson gets its season underway on Sunday with its first preseason exhibition when they welcome Division I Clemson to the Abney Center for a 2 p.m. tip-off. After closing their exhibition schedule next Sunday at Western Carolina, Anderson begins its regular season with a trip to archrival Erskine on Nov. 21.