WATCH: The Summitt spends day with NC State women’s basketball

The North Carolina State University women’s basketball team exceeded expectations last year.  In the 2016-17 season, the Wolfpack finished 23-9 overall and 12-4 in the ACC, good for a final mark of 17th in the nation and fifth in the conference.

Spearheaded by the 2017 ACC Coach of the Year Wes Moore and a senior class of four, averaging 43.5 points per game, the program received national attention and made an appearance in the Big Dance.  The Pack fell short the second round of the NCAA tournament against number 14/15 Texas with an 84-80 finish.

NC State currently sits in the eighth spot on the ACC pre-season poll by the Blue Ribbon Panel and tenth on the coach’s poll. This season, they face challenging pre-conference play with the likes of Alabama, Georgetown, Old Dominion and Elon, to name a few.

Replacing the 2017 senior class and compensating for their offensive efficiency and veteran leadership will be the test for the Pack. Miah Spencer and Dominique Wilson were a part of a senior class who went 86-43 over the course of their collegiate careers at NCSU. Seniors Chelsea Nelson and Akela Maize are expected to step up in a big way, as well as  Maryland transfer Kiara Leslie and Arizona State transfer, Armani Hawkins-who becomes eligible following the conclusion of the 2017 fall semester.

The Summitt talked with both Akela Maize and Kiara Leslie on their goals for the season and how they feel they can contribute to accomplishing those goals.

NC State kicks off the season November 10 at Reynold’s Coliseum, taking on Jacksonville at 5 pm ET.  The game will be available on ACC Network Extra.

Watch the interview with Akela Mize and Kiara Leslie here: