RICHARDSON, TX (11.09.09) – Since UT Dallas coach Polly Thomason was handed the reins to the women's basketball program in 2005-06, the Comets have gone from cellar dwellers of the American Southwest Conference to preseason favorites in the league's East Division.

And for the first time in school history, they are predicted to make noise on the national stage.

The Comets, ranked No. 17 by the D3HOOPS.COM preseason poll, return a core of accomplished veterans—and add an influx of newcomers—as they climb toward their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

“I just think (the ranking) speaks for what we accomplished last year,” said Thomason. “It means we already have a target put on our back. They're bigger, the expectations. But we're taking one day at a time and not worrying about it.”

Thomason led UTD to its most successful season to date in 2008-09, posting a 21-5 record en route to capturing its first ASC East Division regular season title. The Comets' lost just two league contests, and from Nov. 29 to Jan. 29 they engineered a 14-1 stretch.

But even though they clinched the East's No. 1 seed in the ASC Tournament, the Comets' championship hopes were dashed in the first round after they suffered a 57-48 upset loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor on Feb. 27. Their early exit cost them a shot at the ASC title—and an at-large bid to the NCAAs.

“They know how angry they were, considering the way it ended last year,” said Thomason. “They've been working hard to overcome that.”

In 2009-10, Thomason has the luxury of relying on a tight-knit group of seniors, headlined by point guard Chelsea Edwards, and a good mix of young guns as UTD looks to avenge last season's heartbreak ending.

Edwards, the most celebrated player in UTD women's basketball history, returns for her final year as the Comets' floor general. She is the program's all-time leader in points (1,006), assists (321), steals (206) and free throws made (246). And, despite her 5-6 frame, she's the schools sixth all-time rebounder.

“She's one of those players you're lucky to coach,” said Thomason. “She's a great leader. More than anything, though, she's a leader by example. There have been times where she has carried us on her back. Pure determination.”

Seniors Rachel Addison and Lauren Hale are back to fuel UTD's inside-out offense, which averaged 71.1 points per game last year. The 6-0 Addison will log a majority of her minutes at center, while Hale, known for tenacity on defense, will float between the paint and the perimeter as a power forward-type. Hale scored 11.5 points per game last season, but rewrote the UTD record book by becoming the school's all-time leader in blocks (89) in 2007-08.

Edwards, Addison and Hale are the remaining members of Thomason's first recruiting class at UTD.

“It's a really special group, not just experience-wise,” said Thomason. “It's nice to see where they've brought the program.”

The trio of seniors will look to sophomore Lyndsey Smith to catalyze UTD from beyond the arc, where the Comets shot 36 percent last season. Smith poured in 13.1 points per game—a team-best—and sunk 50 3-pointers in her first collegiate season. She was named the ASC East Division Freshman of the Year while earning ASC All-East First Team honors.

Smith's presence on the outside will be reinforced by junior wing Kori Joyce and a number of sophomore returnees: Katy Brooks, Samantha Jackson, Tarneisha Scott and Nikki Kosary. As for the Comets' frontcourt, Mallory Meyers and Brittany Houston will serve as key reserves.

UTD's bench is further strengthened by the additions of transfers Ali Goodwin and Anna Fareed. Goodwin, a versatile guard who was elected to the ASC East All-Freshman Team at LeTourneau last year, will immediately make an impact in UTD's backcourt. Fareed is another wing who has prior experience playing for Schreiner.

“I think our bench is much better,” said Thomason. “We're deep, we're talented. We don't drop off at all. We've added some good shooters to compliment what we've already had, and our post play is starting to be more of a factor than it's ever been. It's exciting.”

The Comets will open their season by traveling to Sherman, TX, to square off against Austin College, a team they went 2-0 against in 08-09. UTD will then host the Fred Jacoby I-20 Classic (Nov. 20-21) before beginning conference action, at home, against Mary Hardin-Baylor on Nov. 28.