With their preseason starting Nov. 26, the girls’ basketball team is readying themselves to face a season full of excitement as well as challenges.

Tryouts, which began on Nov. 1, are set to be extended for an extra week after the official conclusion of fall sports. The team will again be coached by Mike Davey.

Over the summer, most of the team played on the Saratoga Suns, a summer league, forming friendships even before the season had commenced.

“[Playing on the Saratoga Suns with the team] helped tremendously because people already have bonded with their teammates, and the freshmen now understand how things work,” said returning senior guard Raven Sisco. “The whole basketball program is like a family.”

With the extra time to bond and play together, the girls are not afraid to play aggressively because they feel comfortable around each other.”

“The girls are pretty serious about winning, and also about having fun, so we’re looking forward to the season,” said Davey. “We’re certainly happy that we’re off and rolling now.”

The girls, already set to have a positive outlook of their season, are shooting to beat their tough rival Monta Vista. The goal seems achievable for the season.

“We’re looking to go as far as we can,” said Sisco. “I believe [beating Monta Vista] is realistic because we played really well this summer, and we have a great group of girls that is supportive while playing together.”

Among others, Sisco, guard Arya Parhar and post Amber Arroyo hope to lead the Falcons to a prolific season, using past experience and leadership to guide their teammates.

Although the team has suffered from the losses of key veteran players because of last year’s graduation, including post and guards Nicole Gragnola, Baylee Yates and point guard Emily Baba, the team takes pride in the skills of the remaining players, planning to improve on all aspects of the game.

Returning sophomore point guard Kimberly Chou has high hopes for the season.

“The team’s goal is to beat all the other teams in our league and do well in CCS,” said Chou. “We’re looking to going past the second round of CCS since it seems highly possible this year.”

Confident that the same coaching techniques from Coach Davey will benefit the players, the girls are anticipating a highly successful season, after switching from the De Anza league to the El Camino league.

“We lost nine seniors last year so that brought us down,” said Davey. “But I really think we can compete in the El Camino League.”

Sisco, as well as many other members of the team, is convinced that the team will benefit from a familiar coach and teammates.

“I trust in my teammates, and I believe this season is going to be fun and a great learning experience,” she said.