GARY - It's a numbers game once again for Tony Zezovski.

Last year, he practically begged students to join his team. Sadly, this year could be more of the same. He's having trouble getting the word out that IUN does have a women's basketball team, and even more troublesome is the challenge of keeping them in uniform.

At least he's getting closer to an actual playing rotation.

"We're optimistic," Zezovski said. "What else can you be? We're about 80 percent there with the roster. It's just a matter of consistency."

And winning.

But winning can be a challenge with just seven players, maybe less depending on the night. The RedHawks won just one game last year, dropping 16 of 17 games they actually played. The numbers shortage caused multiple forfeits, but Zezovski is hoping it doesn't come to that again.

This year he's got some star potential in Tossi Williams, who has played at a high level before. The junior, originally from East Chicago, played NCAA Division I basketball in New Mexico, and after taking a couple years off, wants to make her mark in the NAIA.

Joining Williams in the front court will be Jody Byers, a junior college transfer from Joliet Community College. Byers, like Williams, is looking to make an impact before finishing her collegiate career.

"We're hoping to add a few more players at the semester break, and that could get us up to 10 girls," Zezovski said. "The numbers are typical for IUN, but they're still down."