LAUNCESTON Tornadoes point guard Lauren Mansfield has rejoined the club for pre-season training following the completion of her WNBL season with Adelaide Lightning.
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The 24-year-old recruit said she could not wait to start her second SEABL season with the club and had never considered heading anywhere else.
``I am super-excited to back and really love the club and the people associated with it who were all very welcoming last year,'' Mansfield said.
``I get along well with all the board members, Peta the coach and all the girls are really nice and I'm looking forward to this year.
``Pretty much I always felt I was coming back to Launceston.''
Mansfield's Adelaide WNBL side finished fifth, just missing out on the play-offs, in what she described as an ``up and down'' season for the club and personally in terms of her own form.
``In some games I came on and did some things but I also struggled in terms of game time and it's always hard when you don't get on as much and you are sort of biding your time.''
Mansfield said she was confident the Tornadoes could improve on their bottom-placed finish and their 1-25 win-loss record from last season.
``We've already signed some very talented players and I know we've got Nadeen (Payne) who I played with at Adelaide and got along really well with and she is a great girl and really talented.
``I'm certainly looking forward to playing with some of those girls and Ally (Alex Wilson) from Townsville as well.
``I think we have some great local players like Liv Howard and Emma Russell who improved immensely last year.
``I think once we all start playing together and get the season going and learn the plays we can be really good.''
Mansfield said she harboured ambitions of one day playing for Australia but her focus was firmly on the upcoming SEABL season where she hoped to push the Tornadoes and develop herself as an on-court leader.
``I'd love to have a great year and be able to make finals - that would be a good challenge and I think we will have the talent to do so.''