The Tiffin University women's basketball team has announced their exhibition games against a pair of Mid-American Conference opponents. The Dragons will open their season against the RedHawks of Miami University on November 4. The Dragons will then take on the University of Toledo Rockets on December 30.
The RedHawks will be a tough test out of the gate for Tiffin, seeing that Miami finished last season 21-11. Miami fell in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament to top seeded Central Michigan 61-58. The RedHawks then went on to compete in the WNIT, falling to Duquesne 69-56. Miami's current roster features nine returners and five newcomers to the program. The RedHawks are coached by Megan Duffy. The second year coach boasts one of the best win turnarounds in the nation, as she guided her squad to 10 more victories than the prior season. She is also one of only four rookie coaches last year to win 20 games, and is the only woman to do so.
The Rockets posted an 18-15 overall record last season, exiting in the first round of the MAC Tournament. Toledo went on to compete in the WNIT, dropping Wright State 64-50 in the opening round, and then falling 68-66 to Michigan State in the second round. The Rockets' current roster features 11 returners and four newcomers. The Rockets have experience at the helm, seeing Head Coach Tricia Cullop entering her 11th season. In that time, Coach Cullop has amassed a 220-11 overall record, a WNIT Championship, a MAC Tournament Championship, two MAC regular season titles, and four MAC West Division banners.
Jessie Ivey, who enters her first season as Tiffin University's women's basketball head coach, is excited for the opportunity to test her team and for the experience her squad will gain. "The past two years I have been blessed by being an assistant in the Mid-American Conference at Bowling Green State University. I know how amazing the level of basketball is and how phenomenal the coaches are in the MAC. The fans are second to none, and really help create a special environment for the student-athletes. I am excited to be able to announce that our players will get to experience the atmosphere with our exhibition games against the RedHawks and Rockets. I grew up hearing the saying, If you want to be the best, you have to play the best, and I am thankful that Coach Cullop and Coach Duffy are giving us that opportunity."