BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University’s women’s basketball team had a productive first month of practices under Fred Chmiel.

The high-octane squad that thrilled fans throughout a historic season last year has been on display for the first-year Falcons coach and his staff.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised. There’s definitely been a learning curve, but the energy, the passion, the attentiveness has been over the top,” Chmiel said. “They’ve been a group that goes 110 percent.

“They have a great team chemistry so far, they’ve been very welcoming to the newcomers, the freshmen have bonded together. … I couldn’t be happier with where we’re at right now.”

The adjustments to the brand-new coaching staff — as well as Chmiel’s intense, meticulous practices — have been embraced by the Falcons. Junior guard Amy Velasco said it’s been a fun summer as the team creates chemistry on and off the court.

“I just think the biggest adjustment is learning a new style,” Velasco said of the coaching staff. “It’s been really good.

“I love the style that coach Fred has, so the biggest adjustment for us has really just been something new. It’s something new, and it just took some time to settle in and get used to all the new things.”

Chmiel, who spent the past eight seasons as an assistant at South Carolina, has been impressed with the defensive effort of his team so far, saying BGSU’s got a chance to be “really, really good.” The offense has been a work in progress, but has made strides.

Training individually with players to improve fundamentals and skills has also been beneficial.

“I’ve loved the energy level in our practices, the intensity, and just the urgency in everyday practice is incredible,” Velasco said. “The high energy just makes it really fun and a great atmosphere and something you want to be in every day.”

The 14-player roster, which includes nine returners, four freshmen, and one recent transfer, have bought in to a common goal of building off a 2022-23 season that included the Falcons’ first trip to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament semifinals and a 31-win campaign that tied the school and Mid-American Conference record for victories in a season.

“Our practices are high energy, they’re competitive. We’re all working towards something, so the past couple weeks, just really exciting,” freshman guard Paige Kohler said. “I think we have a good group here, and coming in as a freshman, just getting to meet these girls, get to jell with them, it’s been really exciting.”

The freshman class has made an impact.

Kohler, guard Abbie Riddle, guard/forward Keiryn McGuff, and forward Taya Ellis have fit in with the help of the players already in the program. Chmiel said the group doesn’t look like first-year college players when they’re on the court.

“They’re a very cohesive unit; you don’t see one without the other three,” Chmiel said. “They’re a fun bunch, they’re practical jokers, especially on me.

“Their energy and kind of that newness they have, it’s refreshing. But, out on the playing surface, they are all business. You can’t tell that they’re freshmen because they’re so intertwined with the rest of the team.”

Added Kohler: “We’re all really close, and I think we’re bringing that to the court. I think we’re very energetic, we talk a lot, we communicate, and we just want to give it our all. We don’t really come into practice scared or anything, but I think we’re going out there and competing.”

The addition of Erika Porter via the transfer portal filled an important need of bringing in an experienced forward for the Falcons. The 6-footer spent last season at Baylor after playing the previous two years at Illinois.

She appeared in 55 total games, including 14 starts at Illinois.

“She’s got great energy, she communicates, she gives extra effort,” Chmiel said. “She can offer some great advice to younger players to even some of our experienced players on what to expect in some of those bigger situations.

“Also, me coming from South Carolina, she gives you a different perspective on coaching as well, so we’re lucky to have her. She’s going to be a great asset to the team.”

First Published August 1, 2023, 10:47 p.m.