WICHITA - Talk of experience and expectations dominated the topics surrounding the Wichita State University women's basketball team on their two-day media blitz, which began Tuesday in St. Louis at the Missouri Valley Conference Media Day.  The Shockers return four starters, including pre-season all-conference pick Haleigh Lankster and were picked to finish third in the MVC.

Lankster is one of two seniors on the team and the only player to have competed every season of head coach Jody Adams' tenure at Wichita State.  She became the first Shocker since 2006-07 to be selected for the pre-season all-conference team.  Last year Lankster averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. 

The Shockers earned a trip to the post-season WNIT last season for the first time in 10 years and are coming off the second-best two-year win total in school history.  With four starters returning, the league's coaches and media members voted WSU third in the Valley, only the second time since such voting began the Shockers were picked in the top three. 

With a veteran lineup and increased expectations, the Shockers beefed up the non-conference schedule with several eyebrow-raising opponents.  Louisiana State visits Koch Arena on Nov. 14 then WSU travels to face Arizona on Nov. 17.  Post-season participants UC-Davis and Central Michigan also spice up the slate and a rekindled rivalry with Kansas State begins with a trip to Manhattan on Dec. 7. 

The public's first look at the Shockers will be Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Shocker Madness.  The women's team will show their stuff in a 20-minute scrimmage.  The team will then host Pittsburg State in an exhibition on Nov. 9 before kicking off the season at home against Northwestern State on Sat., Nov. 12 at 2:05 p.m.