MINOT, N.D. – After making a run to the NSIC Tournament last season in the first under head coach Ryan Clark, the Minot State women's basketball team is looking to achieve even more this time around.

The start to a new season tips off for the Beavers on Halloween with Minot State competing in the D2 CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic hosted by Simon Fraser in Langley, British Columbia. The Beavers take on Saint Martin's in the season opener on Friday, then play Western Washington on Saturday, and host Simon Fraser on Sunday.

While the weekend is a chance to score some wins against three West Region foes, it also is an opportunity for more.

"Ultimately, this weekend is about us and growing and learning and getting better from it," the Beavers' 2^nd-year head coach, Clark, said.

The weekend in Canada gives Minot State a chance to mesh a team of several impact newcomers, a core of returning starters, and a few players returning from injuries. So far on the practice court, that mix has impressed Coach Clark.

"I've loved the way we've approached the fall, we've really competed hard - the energy we've brought to practice.

"They're working hard, they're being vulnerable and open to learning and growing, and I'm excited to see where this can go."

The Beavers hope this year's team meets - and exceeds - last season finish, which ended in the first round of the NSIC playoffs on the road. This year, Minot State is shooting for a trip to the Sanford Pentagon and a berth in the NSIC Quarterfinals, or more.

The road to the Pentagon starts with pre-conference matchups this weekend in Canada, and over the coming weeks, before the NSIC opener for Minot State at the University of Mary on Tuesday, November 25.

Before then, the Beavers will host Montana State Billings on Tuesday, November 18, at 5:30 p.m. in their home debut at the MSU Dome, then entertain new 4-year program Bismarck State in a women's and men's doubleheader at the MSU Dome on Wednesday, November 19, with the ladies playing at 5:30 p.m., once again.

Leading the way for the Beavers as they prepare to tip off the season are returning starters in junior guard Maya Aguilar and sophomore guard Jessica Mogen, along with senior guard Jaime Skeggs, who played a key role off the bench.

Mogen (5-foot-9) averaged 8.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while dishing out 51 assists, while Aguilar (5-9) led the team in 3-pointers with 54, averaging 11.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

As for Skeggs (5-10), who has played 87 games for the Beavers in her previous 3 seasons, she averaged 4.6 points and 2.1 rebounds off the bench as a junior.

"Those three coming back, it's been really nice," Clark said.

They're joined by the return of forwards Lara Dobbins (6-0), a sophomore from New South Wales, Australia, who in 10 games last season averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds, and redshirt-junior forward Lorelei Nelson (6-0) from Glenburn, North Dakota, who in 8 games averaged 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds last season.

"It's been nice to have them kind of back in the fold," Minot State's coach added.

Joining those veteran players will be some key newcomers, which includes redshirt-sophomore forward Tiyahna Trottier (6-1), from Belcourt, North Dakota, who redshirted with the Beavers last season after averaging 9.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game at Lake Region State in 2023-24 under the Royals then-head coach, Ryan Clark.

Trottier is joined by newcomers Taryn Hamling (5-9), a redshirt-sophomore guard who transfers from North Dakota State after playing in 30 games for the Bison in 2023-24, scoring 76 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and true freshman Kyra Beckman (6-0), a 1^st-Team All-State forward from Bottineau High School who averaged  9.4 p and 9.7 rebounds per games a senior.

"Taryn has had a wonderful fall for us," Clark said. "On the offensive end, she's done a lot of really good things; shot the ball really well, which is awesome.

"Love the way that (Kyra's) progressing," Minot State's coach added. "She's getting better each day as well, and she's another one that gives us some really good size and athleticism there as well."

Giving the Beavers the pieces they need for a successful season, one they hope lasts longer than last winter and earns Minot State a spot – at least – a spot at the Sanford Pentagon in the NSIC quarterfinals.

"Excited to grow and hopefully take one more step and get to play a little bit longer this year compared to last," Clark said.