The Sacramento State women’s basketball team has made some key additions in an effort to improve its record from last season, when it finished conference play 1-15 and had an overall record of 3-27.

The Hornets welcome five newcomers to the team, four of whom are incoming freshmen.

“I feel great about the additions we have. We have a really good recruiting class where we brought in some really quality players,” Sac State coach Dan Muscatell said. “Charday Hunt, a redshirt sophomore from Clackamas Community College, will be a really effective small forward for us and has a wide range of skills that will really help us.”

“Sami Field-Polisso at least led the state — if not the country — in 3-pointers made last year (in high school). She’ll be a terrific addition at the point guard,” he said. “Sami is one of those players who can make everyone around her better with her decision making. Sami’s teammate (in high school) Tina Koshiyama-Diaz came in as a walk-on initially (and) we were able to give her a scholarship. We think we got a steal there.”

Muscatell said Sheldon High’s shooting guard Jasmine Cannady is very strong for a freshman and is probably the quickest kid the Hornets have had since he has been coaching at Sac State.

He said Emily Christensen of Oak Ridge High is a great addition and the strongest player in the weight room.

“She’s ready right now strength-wise to come in and compete,” Muscatell said.

He said the new members of the Hornets not only have skill, but are great kids.

“They’re great students, and more than anything else, they are great competitors,” Muscatell said.

He also said the newcomers will be a key factor in the success of the program in the coming years, but made it clear they still lack experience.

“We’re going to ask a lot of them. We’re going to ask a lot of them minutes-wise early on and we’re going to have to live with the growing pains that go along with them being underclassmen,” Muscatell said.

He said the Hornets will rely heavily on key-returning players such as juniors Becca Reams, Atty Boyer and Jourdan Willard.

“What we know for sure about our returning players is that Becca Reams can put the ball in the basket. Atty Boyer has been able to do that, but we need more consistency from Atty. Becca has improved a lot on the defensive end, which has kind of been her Achilles’ heel. Jourdan Willard is someone who can play all five positions and may have to at times,” Muscatell said. “Those three are the core of upperclassmen that we’re going to have to lean on.”

The Hornets will also welcome three new assistant coaches this season: Jamie Craighead, Kelley Berglund and Kim Sheehy.

“It’s a tremendous benefit for us to have a full compliment of coaches this year,” Muscatell said.

“Jaime Craighead brings an understanding of excellence at our level. Kelley Berglund is fresh off playing experience in Germany…and Kim Sheehy understands everything we want having played here (at Sac State), putting the bow on the package in terms of communicating with our players,” Muscatell said.

“I can’t say enough about our new coaching staff,” Reams said. “They are enthusiastic and they contribute so much more to this team than I’ve ever dreamed of.”

Boyer said she has already seen improvements in the team from last season.

“We have better attitudes…our team chemistry is getting better. We’re looking out for each other and we have really good recruits coming on too so that is going to help our chances,” Boyer said.

The Hornets will open the season on Nov. 11 at UC Davis.

Contact Andrew Eggers at [email protected]