Kim Muhl thinks he has the ingredients for another successful women's basketball team at Kirkwood Community College this year, but there's one thing he cannot control.

Muhl learned that painful lesson last season when injuries derailed another possible trip to the national tournament.

"I think the biggest thing is staying healthy," he said Monday. "We have some nice pieces, but we have to stay healthy."

Kirkwood finished 25-7 overall last season and 12-4 in the ICCAC Conference. That's an outstanding year for most schools, but Muhl has won six national titles during his 26 years with the Eagles and he'd like another.

He's got a veteran group and so far everybody is healthy (knock on wood).

"We've got nine sophomores, so that makes everything a little simpler as far as getting things in and done," said Muhl, who has a 734-135 record with the Eagles. "We've got a good group.

"We had a good group last year, too, and we had four knee injuries in a month. I don't want to say too much anymore. We need to keep all the kids healthy."

Ariel Sneed, an All-American last season, gives Kirkwood a strong presence near the basket. Muhl expects to start an all-sophomore lineup of Sneed, Taylor Silva, Tyra Polite, Cassidy Clark and Aliyah Isaac.

Isaac is a transfer from Valparaiso University, an NCAA Division I school. Silva, Polite and Clark all helped the Eagles last season as freshmen.

Muhl expects to have a deep team with talented freshmen pushing for playing time. Muhl mentioned Casey Miles, a coach's daughter from Hudson, as one of the most impressive rookies so far.

"Without a doubt," he said. "I thought she was a nice player, but I think she's better than what we thought."

Cyerra Hutchins, a freshman from Cedar Rapids Prairie, also is working to get into the mix.

Muhl likes this club and foresees a successful campaign, providing the injuries do not mount up.

"I like them. They're a good group," he remarked. "Very coachable."

Kirkwood will begin the season at the Southeastern Community College tournament in West Burlington this weekend. The Eagles face Danville Friday at 1 p.m. and meet Lewis & Clark Saturday at 11 a.m.

ROSTER

Ariel Sneed, 6-0, Harvey, Ill.
Casey Miles, 5-8, Hudson
A.J. Downs, 5-5, Merrillville, Ind.
Aliyah Isaac, 5-8, Richton Park, Ill.
Taylor Silva, 5-5, Bellevue, Neb.
Addie Oberman, 5-9, Clinton
Caitlin Sudduth, 5-6, Country Club Hills, Ill.
Tyra Polie, 5-9, Upper Darby, Pa.
Kirsten Larson, 5-1, Belvidere, Ill.
Cyerra Hutchins, 5-9, Cedar Rapids Prairie
Anna Martensen, 5-10, Belvidere, Ill.
Peyton Bockholt, 5-11, LaPorte City
Kaycee Kallenberger, 6-5, Bettendorf
Cassidy Clark, 6-1, Coal Valley, Ill.
Madison Wood, 6-3, Waterloo