It took just one game for the new-look Wollongong Hawks to undergo their first test of character and they passed with flying colours.

The Hawks tipped off their pre-season campaign last Friday at the Snakepit, beating a talented University of California side 110-99 in overtime.

Off-season recruit AJ Ogilvy was the big talking point with 35 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.

But fellow newcomer Kevin Lisch showcased the skills that earned him the 2012 NBL MVP award, tallying 21 points, six assists, five steals and five rebounds.

The American guard was impressed by his side's ability to raise the bar in crunch time.

"Even though it's pre-season, overall it was a great test for us to have a game come down to the wire like that and be able to pull it out," Lisch said.

"That's what you want in pre-season, to be tested in different ways.

"We have a great group of guys who like each other, and that's half the battle.

"We're all very hungry to work individually and as a team to do well this year.

"Bottom line is that we have talented guys but we have unselfish guys as well, and that's going to really help us out this year."

The Hawks have five new players and are eager to make amends for last season's 6-22 horror show.

Off-season signing Kirk Penney arrives in Wollongong early next week after wrapping up commitments with a European club.

"He's another veteran with great experience, a guy who can shoot the heck out of the ball," Lisch said.

"He's a great addition to the team and he's going to help us a ton this year."

The Hawks host the AIS side in a trial on Saturday before heading to Cairns next weekend for two pre-season games against the Taipans. They have scheduled a trial against Adelaide next month at Shoalhaven Basketball Stadium.

"You're always looking forward to playing against another NBL team and seeing how you stack up," Lisch said. "It was great to play that first game last week. Cal were a very good team and they're going to do well this year.

"We did good things, especially finding AJ in the post. That should definitely be a focus for us this year, because he can do things not many other big guys in the league can do.

"Offensively at times we were very good, just moving the ball and finding the open shooters and letting it rip."

The 2015-16 NBL season tips off in October.