Cowgirls Eager to Take on Challenges Upcoming Season Presents

The Cowgirls’ season begins in a few weeks, and they took another step toward tipoff.

Three Cowgirls joined head coach Jacie Hoyt for the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tipoff on Tuesday. Looking ahead at the season, Oklahoma State hopes to make its mark on the Big 12.

After the Cowgirls went 21-12 last season with an NCAA Tournament appearance, they have a chance to make it back again this season. Picked to finish seventh in the Big 12, the Cowgirls could make consecutive tournaments for the first time since making four straight between 2013-16.

“Definitely was a special year,” Hoyt said. “I think we surpassed everyone else’s expectations but our own. But I want that to be the standard at Oklahoma State, that we go to the tournament and, in the future, win in the tournament.”

After losing key players from last season’s team, the Cowgirls used the transfer portal to restock some of their talent. In filling those holes on the court, Hoyt felt that it was just as much about who they were off the floor.

Kansas transfer Chandler Prater said she talked to her teammates about the grind of the season, especially in the Big 12. But after starting 33 games with the Jayhawks last season, the senior guard is not concerned about the grind of this season in Stillwater.

“With this team, we genuinely play with joy,” Prater said. “I feel joy when I’m around my teammates, and I feel excited when I come into practice. And I know that I’m gonna be challenged and pushed to my limit, almost.”

Aside from enjoying being around the team, Prater is excited to play an up-tempo style with the Cowgirls.

“I think that my motor is really gonna contribute to this team a lot, just because I love to just go, go, go,” Prater said. “and that’s what Jacie says is ‘go, go, go’ and I’m gonna do what she say.”

Meanwhile, North Texas transfer Quincy Noble talked about Hoyt’s energy as the reason she wanted to join OSU. That energy may help the new pieces gel quickly, something OSU could use given its tough nonconference schedule.

“What I’m excited about our nonconference schedule is just to figure out where we measure up, where we are as a team, and kind of figuring out before that conference schedule starts, you know, where we are and where we need to be,” Hoyt said. “Knowing that, come conference, we’re gonna be tested every night.”

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