BOONE, N.C. - If Appalachian State University women's basketball head coach Angel Elderkin had one word to describe the first two weeks of summer workouts, it would be “growth”.

The Mountaineers are already improving in their second week of June in preparation for the 2016-17 season. With 13 student-athletes returning to the court and four highly-talented freshmen arriving, the Mountaineers are determined for a bounce-back season after a 10-20 mark and 7-13 record in the Sun Belt.

Heading into Elderkin's third season at the helm, the coaching staff has emphasized pushing the pace on both sides of the court. Appalachian ran fast-break drills while also putting forth attention to getting the ball down low to the posts and rebounding.

At the end, the Mountaineers played a quick up-and-down scrimmage to help with conditioning and chemistry. At the end of the day, 12 of 13 returning student-athletes have improved their game, which has Elderkin and the coaching staff already excited.

“Our team is putting in a lot of work both on and off the court,” stated Elderkin. “It isn't just one specific student-athlete that has given maximum effort. Collectively as a group, everyone has given maximum effort, and I couldn't be more proud of them."