{slimbox images/slimbox/2010-1-20/01-15-10_027.JPG,images/slimbox/2010-1-20/01-15-10_027thumb.JPG} It’s been a dream season (so far). Coach Dave Wilber’s third year at the reins of the program has been a pleasant surprise to say the least. With a spotless record and a bevy of rising stars, the sky is the limit for the undefeated Golden Sun. But who could have seen it coming?

The Golden Suns closed the last season with a 67-61 upset loss at the hands of Christian Brothers. Tech parlayed that loss into a 56-47 defeat at the hands of Valdosta State in the GSC tournament, which would prove to be the final game for all-American performer Amanda Grappe, as the Golden Suns’ NCAA tournament bubble burst. Next year seemed bleak for the Golden Suns.

Just look at them now. A team composed primarily of newcomers has taken the GSC and nation by storm. The Golden Suns (16-0, 3-0) have been dismantling their opposition, throttling teams at a clip of 85 points per game and winning by an average margin of 26.4 points.

Amidst this success, no Golden Sun has shone brighter than Jenny Vining. The Oklahoma transfer’s return to her home state has catapulted her to indisputable stardom. Vining leads the GSC in scoring at 21 points per game, and against North Alabama she set a school record with nine 3-pointers made en route to a 35-point performance.

Another newcomer making her presence felt is sophomore forward Natalia Santos. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, product is averaging 15.1 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game, effectively filling the gap left by Grappe who returns to the team as a graduate assistant coach.

However, despite their success the Golden Suns have not been as fortunate in climbing the polls as their Wonder Boys counterpart. The undefeated Golden Suns found themselves at number 13 in the latest USA Today poll, with a combined eight losses among the teams ranked above them, including a pair of two-loss teams in Fort Lewis and Alaska- Anchorage.

But as the old adage goes, winning solves everything. Continued success in the Gulf South Conference, a respected women’s basketball conference, would eventually prove enough for Tech to climb in the polls.

However, with upcoming match-ups against talented teams like Ouachita Baptist and Arkansas-Monticello, the Golden Suns will have to earn their rise in the rankings.

No game is bigger than Saturday’s contest in Tucker Coliseum, as number 2 Delta State comes to town. The Lady Statesmen (14-0, 3-0) have won the last four GSC championships and seem poised to capture an unprecedented fifth straight conference crown.

A Tech victory would likely vault the Golden Suns near the top of the rankings in Division II. Saturday’s contest begins at 4 p.m.