MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Dolphins open their season traveling 1500 miles to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesday, November 9th. This will be the first game with a brand-new staff for head coach Darnell Haney and his team, providing a fresh and hopeful look to the season ahead.  

Adding the likes of Coach Jess Bogia, Coach David Frank, and Coach Kayla Gordon has given Coach Haney many reasons to be optimistic this year. "The addition of our new staff has been tremendous. They have hit the ground running and I am delighted about what they all have done in their time here to move the program forward." said Coach Haney. 

Each of the new additions brings their own unique experience and work to a team that Coach Haney believes has the "it factor." Coach Bogia brings "an experience and passion that is a joy to witness every day" and Coach Frank brings an approach to the game that raises the bar for everyone in the program.  

However, one familiar face to Jacksonville is Coach Gordon. She rejoins the Dolphins after a stellar four-year career as a student where she collected hardware such as ASUN's Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team, amongst other accolades that provided her with a winning mentality she looks to bring to the 2021-22 season. She most recently spent three seasons at the professional level and finds herself back at JU to provide that pro-level insight to these young women. 

This game also marks the start of Coach Haney's fourth season at the helm of the Dolphins, with some key returning players in DeShari Graham, Da'Nasia Shaw, and Ashley Malone. Even so, the Dolphins are a young team with eight players holding a class year of sophomore or freshman, so there is a lot to be hopeful about when thinking of the future. "As we enter this new season, I'm excited about these young women and how we will get them to gel and grow as a unit," said a proud and excited Coach Haney.  

Jacksonville will begin that growth in Minneapolis, Minnesota this upcoming Tuesday, against the Golden Gophers. For more information on the Dolphins, continue to check back with JUDolphins.com. Keep up with Jacksonville University women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@JAX_WBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the 2021-22 season.