WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNC Wilmington Head Coach Ann Hancock and members of the 2009-10 Seahawk women's basketball team took to the court Thursday to meet with members of the local media during the school's annual Media Day at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks will take part in Midnite Madness festivities Friday evening before officially starting practice Saturday morning as they begin preparations for their exhibition contest against UNC Pembroke Nov. 10.

Hancock, who enters her 10th season at the helm of the Seahawks program, welcomes back all five starters and 11 of 12 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 16-15 overall record and finished fifth in the CAA standings with a 9-9 conference ledger, its best league result in five seasons.  Junior forward Brittany Blackwell, a two-time Second-Team All-CAA selection, and senior guard Greta Luksyte, a Third-Team All-CAA honoree last season, highlight the team's returning players.

UNCW will face a 29-game schedule this season that includes 13 home games, 15 road contests and one neutral site matchup.  The Seahawks open the regular season Nov. 15 at home in a 1 p.m. matinee against Wofford at Trask Coliseum.