NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware women's basketball team opens its 2007 season at 8 p.m. Friday, when the Blue Hens host Delaware State in the first round of the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament.

Delaware enjoyed a season like none other last year, when they tied a school record with 26 wins, beat a pair of top 25 teams, and earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. But the Hens lost all-world guard Tyresa Smith, sweet-shooting forward Chrissy Fisher, and steady guard Alena Koshansky to graduation, so they'll rely on senior point guard Kyle DeHaven (right) to lead a very young, very talented group in 2007-08.

DeHaven, a preseason second team All-CAA selection, averaged 8.5 points and 2.7 rebounds last year, when she led the league with 99 steals and was named to the CAA All-Defensive Team for the third straight season. Twelfth-year head coach Tina Martin will look to her defensive stopper to carry more of the offensive load in the absence of Smith and Fisher, while she expects senior forward Courtney Irving to provide scoring punch inside. Irving averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per outing a year ago and set a UD single-season record for field goal percentage at .576.

Sophomore center Farrah Ferguson (2.4 ppg, 30 blocks) gives Martin an intimidating post presence, while junior guard Jamie Mundy has an all-around game and a consistent outside shot. Meanwhile, junior guard Ethlynne Thomas and sophomore guard Corinthia Benison can both provide instant offense and energy. They're joined by seven freshmen - four recruits, two redshirts, and a walk-on - who could all see playing time.

Last year, Delaware State went 20-13 on the way to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference crown and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where the Hornets put a scare into Vanderbilt before falling, 62-47. DSU is led by a pair of pre-season All-MEAC picks in senior guard Raquel Collier (13.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and senior forward Katreem Palmer (11.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg).

The teams last met in January of 2001, when the Blue Hens scored a 60-46 victory at the Bob Carpenter Center. UD holds an 8-0 lead in the all-time series with its in-state rival, winning those games by an average of 21.1 points.

The Hens, whose schedule includes at least five teams that qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament, will face either Maryland or Princeton in the second round of the Preseason WNIT.

Delaware Women's Basketball 2007-2008 Schedule:

Nov. 9 - Delaware State, 8 p.m.; Nov. 11-13 - at Maryland/Princeton, TBA; Nov. 14-15 - WNIT Semifinals, TBA; Nov. 16-17 - WNIT Consolation, TBA; Nov. 18 - WNIT Championship, TBA; Nov. 20 - Boston College, 7 p.m.; Nov. 23 - vs. Louisville, 5 p.m.; Nov. 24 - vs. Chattanooga/Murray St., 5/7 p.m.; Nov. 28 - LaSalle, 7 p.m.; Dec. 6 - Maryland-Eastern Shore, 7 p.m.; Dec. 18 - Quinnipiac, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21 - Bowling Green, 7 p.m.; Dec. 29 - vs. Arkansas, 5 p.m.; Dec. 30 - vs. Dartmouth/Marquette, 5/7 p.m.; Jan. 6 - *at George Mason, 2 p.m.; Jan. 10 - *Drexel, 7 p.m.; Jan. 13 - *at William & Mary, 2 p.m.; Jan. 17 - *UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m.; Jan. 20 - *Northeastern, 1 p.m.; Jan. 24 - *at Georgia State, 6 p.m.; Jan. 27 - *Old Dominion, 2:30 p.m.; Jan. 31 - *at Hofstra, noon; Feb. 3 - *at Northeastern, 2 p.m.; Feb. 7 - *VCU, 7 p.m.; Feb. 10 - *George Mason, 1 p.m.; Feb. 14 - *at Drexel, 7 p.m.; Feb. 17 - *Hofstra, 1 p.m.; Feb. 21 - *Towson, 7 p.m.; Feb. 24 - *at James Madison, noon; Feb. 28 - *Georgia State, 7 p.m.; March 2 - *at VCU, 2 p.m.; March 6 - *at Towson, 7 p.m.; March 13-16 - Colonial Athletic Association Tournament at Delaware, TBA; March 20-April 7 - NCAA Tournament, TBA.

*Colonial Athletic Association Game