OAKLAND CITY - This new season starts a new era in Oakland City University women's basketball.

When the Lady Oaks host Fontbonne in the 1 p.m. opener of Saturday's two-gender exhibition doubleheader, it'll mark the first time since March 2005 that their offense won't be directed by Karissa Walter, four-year point-guard whose 1,798 points rank No. 2 in OCU history.

Graduation also took three-point shooter Chelsea Miller, whose 1,278 points share eighth place in Lady Oaks history.

'We definitely have a different look," said coach Jessica Mehringer, whose third season brought an 18-14 record and seventh-place finish in the National Christian college Athletic Association Championships.

"Our big kids will be more involved in our offense. They'll do more than get the ball off the board and put it back in.

"We have seven girls who can play the paint, and we hope to play some full-court defense.

"I think we'll be better defensively than a year ago. The girls are picking up on our defensive schemes."

The Lady Oaks, to play exhibitions Nov. 7 at Evansville and Nov. 12 against Olney (Ill.) Central before officially opening Nov. 17 at Kentucky Wesleyan, will take their cue from seniors Kristi McVey and Jesse Oxley.

McVey, 5-foot-9 senior who Sept. 11 married Mighty Oaks senior Nathan Schumacher, but will play this season under her maiden name, averaged 14.2 points and 5.8 rebounds a year ago. Oxley, 5-7 guard and daughter of Tecumseh boys' coach Kevin Oxley, averaged 9.5 points.

"Kristi and Jesse are pushing the other girls and leading by example," said Mehringer. "So is Brittany Hart (5-8 junior guard and tri-captain with McVey and Oxley)."

"I'm more the quiet type, but Jesse and I are trying to be more vocal," McVey said during Thursday's Media Day session following practice in Johnson Center.

"I don't want to compare our team with last year's team, but I think we can be successful. I think our defense will be good. Jesse and I have high hopes for our senior year."

McVey said Berna Miranda, 5-foot-6 freshman point-guard from Madrid, Spain, "has speed and is a really good passer. Samantha Stahl (5-7 junior) has stepped into the shooting guard position and, like Jesse, she's making shots in practice.

"Jane Barclay is working hard in practice," McVey said of the 6-1 sophomore center.

As a freshman, 5-11 Carmi, Ill., resident Kayla Sutton averaged 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds while matching McVey's 29 starts. Six-one sophomore center Rachel Moore, from North Posey, averaged 2.1 points and 2.3 rebounds as a frequently-used sub.

"Barclay has been spectacular in practice," Mehringer said. "Ali Pia (5-10 junior forward) is in the best shape since she came here. Moore is looking good in practice.

"McVey is rebounding and playing defense better, and Sutton can play both strong forward and small forward."

Miranda is among four freshmen, including 5-6 guard Lenzie Kerchief; who finished her high school career at Wood Memorial after playing three years at Boonville; 5-11 freshman Sarah Roth, who followed McVey through Southwestern High of Hanover; and 5-11 center Katie Doades from North Daviess.

"Lenzie and Burna are switching off at point-guard," Mehrnger said. "Both are quick enough to guard people.They're more traditional point-guards.

"Sarah will play strong forward and maybe small forward. She does all the little things right and will become quite a player before graduating. Katie, a walk-on who also will play softball, is strong as an ox and will go through a foul to score."