The Miami Dade College Sharks will feature a heralded group of incoming freshmen in 2009-10, as seven first-year players will combine with seven sophomores to make up this year's roster.

Coach Susan Summons is excited for the prospects of having such a strong group of young players.

``This is an incredibly talented recruiting class,'' Summons said.

While most coaches might be fazed by the idea of having so many youngsters on their team, Summons is encouraged.

``The phrase freshman really isn't indicative of the title,'' Summons said. ``It doesn't always mean the players play like a freshman, it means it's their first year.

``We've been fortunate over the years to have some great players come in, and they play like they're seniors.''

Frances Puello, a sophomore guard who was named first-team All Conference last season, and Ashleigh Kelly, a sophomore power forward named second-team All Conference, will be counted on to provide veteran leadership in the upcoming season.

On the freshman side, Summons speaks highly of Ashley Wilkes, a Canadian-born center, and Kandis Frederick, a forward from St. Petersburg.

A year ago, the Sharks were 8-4 in conference play and earned their 19th trip to the FCCAA State Championship Tournament. With such a strong group of new players arriving, the expectations are even higher.

Summons preached teamwork and selflessness and stressed the importance of her players checking their egos at the door.

``There's no I in `team,' but there's an I in `win.' '' she said.

Already into their exhibition schedule, the Sharks begin FCCAA Southern Conference play Dec. 15 with a home game against Palm Beach Community College and a road meeting the next day with Broward.

They will then resume playing within FCCAA a month later following five non-conference games, including Dec. 28-29 in the Broward College Classic.