COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team hosted its annual Welcome Back Picnic for the upcoming 2011-12 basketball season Thursday evening in the Eagles Nest, at Eblen Center.

The women's basketball  players, their parents, the coaching staff and the Golden Eagle faithful gathered together for dinner and to discuss last year's Ohio Valley Conference championship, as well as the season ahead.

The event began with a meet-and-greet with the Golden Eagles, followed by a dinner of sandwiches and chips. Head coach Sytia Messer reintroduced her returning players and her newcomers and opened the floor for questions.

Returnees for the 2011-12 season include seven upper classmen in seniors Brittany Darling, Rachel Glidden, Tacarra Hayes and Krystal Stirrup, and juniors Katherine Barker and Kellie and Kylie Cook. 

Also returning for the Golden Eagles are sophomores Molly Heady and Briana Jordan, along with redshirt freshmen Diamond Henderson and Candace Parson.

Messer also introduced her three newcomers inclduing junior Jala Harris, sophomore Christina Caddy and freshman T'Keyah Williams.

The Golden Eagles finished the 2010-11 season with a 23-8 record, en route to claiming their 16th OVC Championship in the program's history. TTU also advance to the WNIT Tournament for the fourth time in program history and will particpiate in the WNIT Preseason Tournament to open the 2011-12 season.