After being knocked out early before advancing to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Seattle Storm is coming back to the 2009 season, which opens June 7, with a team ready to go all the way.

Finishing the 2008 season with a record of 22-12, the Storm had a few setbacks toward the end of the season. Most vital was the loss of 2007 MVP Lauren Jackson who had to sit out after she had injured herself with an impingement of her right ankle, a bone spur break off which lodged into her ankle during training for the Olympics with her Australian National Team last July.

However, after undergoing ankle surgery following the Olympics, Jackson returned from her home country of Australia earlier this week and has joined the team in preparing for its upcoming season.

“It’s been a good couple days practice, it’s great getting back with the girls and I’m a little bit tired but that was to be expected with the flight,” Jackson said. “But it’s great being back and everyone is as positive as ever.”

Jackson’s focus this season is to get back to her best, she said.

“I know that this team is able to do that in the past with Brian (Agler) so it’s a matter of getting out there and having fun and enjoying it," said Jackson.

Coach Brian Agler explained that this season really depends on the health of his players, but he feels good about the roster.

“It’s nice to have Lauren back and Sue (Bird), they’re two of the best in their position and it’s just a matter of trying to get other people back on the court like Swin (Cash) and getting people healthy,” Agler said.

In its 10th anniversary season, the team is driven to win a championship this season, Agler said.

“It’s the 10th anniversary of the Storm and it’s a great milestone for the organization,” Karen Bryant, chief executive officer of Seattle Storm said. “We’ve been as successful as we have because we’ve had a great outpouring of support from fans.”

The Storm moved from downtown and into its new team headquarters in Interbay this past February, which will serve as a focal point for employees, players and fans, said Bryant. The 12,055 square-foot headquarters is in the Interbay Building on 15th Avenue West.

The organization had scoured the city for various locations to be the new home for the Storm, said Bryant, adding that the process was taken very seriously because it was the first time the team had been an independent association as it broke away from the NBA organization.

The Interbay space is an old ice cream shop with a rich history that had been reclaimed and refurbished. Bryant added that it also gave them a chance to be in a neighborhood that really prided itself in being green and sustainable.

“We are continuing to set our sights high, continuing to build our fan base and do anything we can to make sure there’s a higher level of awareness of the Storm,” Bryant said. “It’s a great affordable family friendly environment and we are one of only 13 cities that has a WNBA team."

Whether people live in Ballard, Magnolia or Interbay, this summer is a great opportunity to get out and see what Storm basketball is all about, she said.

When asked about the move into the Interbay neighborhood, Coach Agler said, “We just want the community to come out and support us. A lot of players shop in Ballard, we live in the area and we go over there and spend some time in that town. So I’m sure if they get out and around they're going to see some of the players in their community so hopefully we’ll see some of them in the arena.

The Storm won the WNBA title in 2004 and will play the first home game of the 2009 season on June 7 at KeyArena in the Seattle Center.