The women’s basketball team is starting out the new season with their head coach out on medical leave, and only three returning players.

While head coach Samuel Kirby is out on leave, the assistant coaches are stepping up.

“The one thing I know that we have is a really good staff,” Kirby said.

Kirby is starting his third year as head coach at Cosumnes River College and his 18th year coaching athletics.

The team is currently being coached by assistant coaches Brittany Shine and Angela DaPrato.

Kirby shared how he has prepared for the season despite being gone.

“A lot of it has to do with figuring out your team,” Kirby said. “As coaches we say you need to find the pulse of your team.”

The assistant coaches aren’t the only ones working hard this preseason.

Sophomore post MyLeia Campbell said she did personal workouts during the offseason.

The team won their most recent game 63-52 against Skyline College and now sit at a 4-3 overall record.

“I changed my eating habits, and started taking care of my body more,” said sophomore point-guard Saray White.

The team is averaging 68.9 points over the last five games they played.

White said she wants to be a leader and improve her attitude towards the team and the game.

One goal for the season stood out for sophomore guard and forward Aliviyah McMurray.

“Win state,” McMurray said.

Last season, the Hawks finished 23-7 in the regular season and were 11-5 in conference games.

“In order to get as far as we can, we need to stay connected as a team,” sophomore point guard and shooting guard LaKayla Hale said.

McMurray said she believes in order for the team to achieve their goal of winning state, they need to believe in one another.

The team needs to be on the same page as well as communicate in order to make a statement, White said.

Campbell also said she wants to lead her team and hold herself accountable in addition to being more interconnected.

The Hawks are set to play their next home game on Thursday against College of the Siskiyous at 1 p.m.