BANGOR – The chemistry and camaraderie on the Husson College women’s basketball team was evident during Wednesday’s media day at Newman Gymnasium.

The Braves hammed it up for photographer Monty Rand, lining up for the traditional team picture and then laughing their way through other amusing poses. The most original had one row of standing players supporting the legs of teammates as they performed handstands in front of them.

Husson’s ability to remain loose and stay together were key factors last season when coach Kissy Walker’s squad turned a 1-9 start into a 13-5 finish, including a Maine Athletic Conference title and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

The Braves hope to pick up this season where they left off while maintaining their fun-loving approach to the game.

“We started off 1-9 but we got along really well,” said sophomore guard Katie Nye of Corinna. “We kept our spirits up and it helped us get through the rest of the season and it let us peak at the right time, during that [MAC] tournament.”

Husson returns almost its entire team from last season, led by senior Kelly A. Dow of Calais, the 1999 MAC Player of the Year and a second-team NAIA All-American who averaged 16 points per game.

Other veterans for the Braves include All-MAC second-team guards Liza Doughty of Hermon (12 ppg) and Nye (13.9 ppg), along with Leslie Trott of Brewer, Kelly E. Dow of Sebec Village, Erin Weston of Brownville, Tina Tobin and Valerie Rozelle of Kenduskeag.

A year ago, the Braves found themselves shorthanded to start the season.

“Last year taught us a lot, because we started out and we could-n’t even scrimmage; we didn’t have enough people, Doughty said. “I’m really excited, because we didn’t lose anybody and all our freshmen are learning so fast.”

Junior guard Leslie Weed of Freedom has decided to leave the team because of her increased academic course load after transferring into Husson’s nursing program, Walker said.

“I hate not to have her because she’s really our best defensive player, a real sparkplug on the floor,” said Walker, who has given Weed the option of rejoining the team should she change her mind.

Husson has made rebounding its main priority, especially after struggling in that department most of last season. Senior center Dow stands 6-foot-2 and gives the Braves a formidable post presence. She’ll be joined inside by Weston, Trott and Rozelle.

Husson’s ample corps of speedy guards also will have to do its part.

“I think we all need to rebound, not just our post player,” Nye said. “Last year, that was a big weakness of ours.”

One key to the Braves’ fortunes will be making good choices.

“With more numbers, I’d like to uptempo, but the important thing will be for them to learn to recognized when they have a break and when they don’t,” Walker said. “Last year we ended up slowing it down a lot down the stretch and getting it in to Kelly [A. Dow]. When she wasn’t open, she’d pop it out to one of the guards for the 3-[pointer].”

Newcomers include freshman guards Amy Carlson of Winslow and Sarah Cole of Swanville, freshman forward Jenn Gott of Bernard and junior guard Nicole Marcous of Lewiston.

Husson opens the season Friday at 5 p.m. against Montclair State (N.J.) in the first round of the Colby Tipoff tourney in Waterville.

Husson women’s schedule

November 19 vs. Montclair State, at Colby

Tipoff Tourney, 5 p.m. 20 at Colby Tipoff Tourney, 1/3 p.m. 26 at Malloy College Tourney, N.Y. 27 at Malloy College Tourney, N.Y. December

1 at UM-Machias, 5:30 p.m.

4 Paul Bunyan Tourney, 1/3 p.m.

5 Paul Bunyan Tourney, 1/3 p.m.

8 at UM-Farmington, 5:30 p.m. 11 Notre Dame, N.H., 1 p.m. 15 at Thomas College, 5:30 p.m. January

3 University of New Brunswick, 7 p.m.

5 Houghton College, N.Y., 5:30 p.m. 12 UM-Presque Isle, 7 p.m. 15 at St. Thomas Aquinas, N.Y., 4 p.m. 16 at Dominican College, N.Y., noon 22 at Bates College, 1 p.m. 25 UM-Farmington, 5:30 p.m. 27 St. Joseph’s College, 7:30 p.m. 31 Thomas College, 5:30 p.m. February

2 at UM-Presque Isle, 7 p.m.

7 at University of New England, 5:30 p.m. 16 at St. Joseph’s College, 5:30 p.m. 18 UM-Machias, 7:30 p.m.