Correspondent file photo / Robert Hayes Youngstown State forward Sarah Baker handles the ball in the post against a St. Bonaventure defender during a game last season at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

YOUNGSTOWN — In Melissa Jackson’s first season, Youngstown State experienced its share of ups and downs.

With a young team, the Penguins battled through multiple injuries to key players throughout the year, as well as season-ending injuries for three players.

YSU finished with a 12-19 overall record with a shorthanded squad. But, the Penguins won three of their last four games to end the regular season, which was punctuated by a victory over Cleveland State in the finale.

Now with a healthy squad after a full offseason, YSU wants to take that next step to challenge for a top-four spot in the Horizon League in Jackson’s second year leading the program.

“What I do know about this group is we have aspirations and expectations to be there in February and March,” Jackson said during a preseason press conference on Thursday. “I think we got a long way to go. But I think we have the pieces, we have the talent, we have the right players and the right mentality. Now it’s just putting everything together. Like I said, we gotta continue to get better every single day. But I feel good about the 12 that we have, and our goal is to be sitting in those spots come February.”

Uncommon in today’s transfer portal era of college basketball, the Penguins returned nine players from last year’s squad, while adding three newcomers, including two transfers and a freshman.

“There was a lot of competition early in our practices. There’s still a lot of competition,” Jackson said. “I think some things are starting to get more solidified. I think some of the scrimmages help that. A lot of people got to play in those scrimmages. Different lineups were thrown out in those scrimmages.”

While the roster is still young overall, YSU’s three sophomores and three redshirt freshmen picked up valuable experience last season, and the coaching staff is looking for that group to continue to show growth on both ends of the floor.

“Everybody is playing off each other and learning from each other,” redshirt sophomore guard Dacia Lewandowski said. “If one person is stronger in one aspect, they’re trying to help the other people get strong in that aspect. I would say that’s a big part of what our success has been in practice — we’re playing off each other really well, and it’s been great for us.”

In the post, the Penguins have a variety of options. Redshirt senior Faith Burch and sophomore Sophia Gregory, the reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Year, are the most notable returners of the group.

But redshirt freshmen Sarah Baker and Ashlynn Van Tassell are also both healthy again after they sustained season-ending injuries, and rounding out the group is Cleveland State transfer Paulina Hernandez.

On the wing, sophomore guards Erica King and Hayden Barrier are back, while redshirt freshman Danielle Cameron returns from injury and true freshman Brooke Adkins hopes to make her mark.

“It’s been great having everybody healthy,” Lewandowski said. “Everybody’s working really hard to stay healthy, and we all know how important it is because we saw last year what injuries can do to us. It’s just been great to have everybody on the court being able to high-five everybody in the lines in drills, and I think that’s a great part of what our team is right now.”

Finally, the primary ball handlers at point guard include returners Lewandowski and junior Bella Samz, as well as sixth-year Florida Gulf Coast transfer Casey Santoro.

“Especially in the post, I think we definitely have great depth there,” Jackson said. “I think players can play a certain type of way and not be worried about fouls and whatnot. They can play aggressive. I think we’re still building our depth in some other areas, especially at the guard spots. But I do feel like we have more depth this year than we did last year.”

The Penguins open the season on Monday at home with their 12th annual School Day Kids game against Division III Thiel at 11 a.m. at Zidian Family Arena, before a two-game road trip to North Dakota and Michigan State.

“Who wouldn’t want to start this way?” Lewandowski said. “You have all these fans, all these kids, a home-court game for your first game of the season. We’re just so excited. We’re amped up in practice thinking about it. The days are counting down, and there’s no better way to start than starting on your home court.”