HUNTINGTON -- In each of the last two seasons, Marshall's women's basketball team has led in the second half of the Conference USA semifinals, only to fall in the end.

But with four seniors -- three fifth-year seniors -- and junior post presence Tynikki Crook, the Thundering Herd thinks this is the season that the team gets over the hump.

"We are so happy to get this season going because we've worked basically five years to get this accomplished and possibly hang a banner in here somewhere," said Alyssa Hammond, one of the three fifth-year seniors.

Each of the last two years, Marshall advanced to the conference semifinals in similar fashion. They made it to the semifinals by upsetting a higher seed and appeared primed for another upset en route to the championship before the wheels fell off.

In 2008, Marshall led SMU by 10 with just more than 10 minutes remaining, but the Mustangs came back to earn a win before going on to win the conference championship.

Last season, the Herd led Southern Miss by 12 with a few minutes remaining, only to see turnovers contribute to a huge run that led to a win for the Golden Eagles.

For Crook, advancing to the semifinals has been nice, but it is equally frustrating as the team has led to its own demise.

"If we just remain focused on what we need to do to reach our goals, then we can make it to the finals and into the postseason," Crook said. "I think sometimes we just lose sight of what we are really playing for. We just can't lose sight of our goals."

The goals that have been set forth by the seniors for this season are simple to say, but difficult to attain. The group wants a 20-win regular season to put a stamp on their careers.

Marshall has not suffered a losing season during the group's tenure in Huntington, but they also haven't finished more than two games above the .500 mark.

"We are sick of getting 17-15 or 16-14," Marshall senior Chantelle Handy said. "We want to get to that 20-win mark and show people that we aren't just an average team."

Handy is one of several key individuals for the Herd this season. Over the summer, Handy was a captain for Team GBR (Great Britain) in the World University Games.

Now, she wants to do the same for the Herd.

Handy, Crook and Hammond were all scoring leaders last season for the Herd with most of its production coming from within 12 to 15 feet of the basket. Each averaged double-figures last season, providing the team with a strong scoring presence heading into 2009-10.

"This is the best leadership we have had in a long time," Marshall coach Royce Chadwick said. "Each of these three young ladies could get their 1,000th point for us this year. That's exciting news for us."

If there is a question mark, it will be at the guard position where several sophomores will look to make a mark. Speedy point guard Tonia Walters returns and will be aided by the addition of newcomer Mystee Dale.

Alaya Mitchell and Raechele Gray also return after gaining a wealth of experience down the stretch last year. An injury to starter Rashedah Henriques will likely push Mitchell or Gray into a more-prominent role in the offense.

Newcomers Veronica Ruiz and Adrian Randall both make their Marshall debuts next week after sitting out last season.

Both freshmen bring added dimensions to Chadwick's gameplan. Ruiz will be a scorer for the Herd while Randall is the powerful rebounder/shot blocker needed to complement Crook.

AP Video

Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch

Marshall's Tynikki Crook looks to make a pass as the Herd takes on Southern Miss during Jam the Cam basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, at the Cam Henderson Center.

Purchase this photo