OREM — After losing five seniors to graduation from a team that finished 17-10 overall, including three-time Independent Player of the Year center Robyn Fairbanks, the UVU women's basketball team might be expected to take a step back.

Led by senior forward Julie Smith — formerly Julie McMurray — the Wolverines are hoping to continue building on the successes of recent years.

"I think we've gotten the program going in the right direction," said UVU head coach Cathy Nixon. "We've gotten momentum, wins and signature wins...

We've met our benchmarks but this will be a big year for us."

The coach was quick to praise the accomplishments of Fairbanks — as well as other seniors like Sandy Wall and Hollie Beaman — and what they meant to the team.

"We're indebted to that entire class for their hard work when we didn't have a lot of momentum," she said. "But we bring back three starters and another player who got a lot of minutes. We have some experience."

Smith knows that without the seniors around, others have to step up and get things moving.

"It's a new experience for me," she said. "I used to be able to let the other seniors take charge but now I have to step up and be more vocal. In a way that's exciting but it's also intimidating. "

The women will also compete in the Great West Conference.

UVU hosts Montana Tech today at 5:30 p.m. in an exhibition and starts the regular season at BYU on Nov. 13.