ORONO – The University of Maine women’s basketball program ventures into a new era Sunday when first-year head coach Sharon Versyp leads the Black Bears into their 1 p.m. season opener against Fordham at Alfond Arena.

During the tenure of departed coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie, UMaine established itself as a perennial power in America East and as a peripheral player on the national scene. The Bears compiled a 167-73 record (.696), claimed four America East titles and earned six straight trips to the NCAA Tournament under Palombo.

This season, the Bears put one of their least experienced teams in recent memory on the court. That presents challenges, but doesn’t diminish the thrill of starting a new season and a new beginning at UMaine.

“I think the excitement and energy for starting a season is extremely high,” said Versyp, who admits it would have been nice to have a little more time for her team to prepare during its transition to new offensive and defensive systems.

“The only thing that’s different is because I’m a new coach and we’re all adjusting to each other, we’d always want a few more games to prepare,” Versyp chuckled. “The unknown and having everything new, that’s always a big transition point.”

Fordham, out of the Atlantic 10 Conference, is one of nine non-conference opponents the Bears face this season. The Rams, who should be improved but who are adjusting to a new coach, appear to be an improved team.

UMaine’s non-league schedule is not nearly demanding as last season, when it was ranked the 52nd toughest in the country. After Fordham, the Bears play Central Michigan in the first game of the Dead River Company Classic, then face either Harvard or Southeastern Conference contender Florida.

UMaine then hits the road for a two-game southern swing to Northwestern State (La.) and NCAA tourney entry Stephen F. Austin (Texas). The Bears close out December with a road game at Rhode Island and an appearance at the Virginia Tech Tournament where they take on Marshall for the right to meet either Virginia Tech or North Carolina-Asheville.

UMaine’s last non-league contest comes Jan. 11 at Stony Brook, where former Bears coach Trish Roberts is the head coach.

“I think I inherited a schedule that enabled us to have a nice blend, but still playing top competition,” Versyp said.

The one thing about the schedule she doesn’t like is the fact UMaine is scheduled to play two America East games early in December.

“I don’t like playing conference games early in the season,” Versyp said. “When it comes down to the nitty gritty, the conference is what you’re looking at at the end of the year. That’s the battle.”

The Bears entertain Towson on Dec. 8, then await league favorite Delaware on the 10th.

For now, UMaine is focused on Fordham.

“Our readiness to play right now is pretty solid,” Versyp said. “The kids now have been through 27 or 28 practices, but it’s still a learning process.”