Eagles Soar to the Top of the 2015-16 UMAC Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
2015-2016 UMAC Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll
1. 59 Points – University of Northwestern (4 First Place Votes)
2. 56 Points – University of Minnesota Morris (3)
3. 55 Points – University of Wisconsin-Superior (2)
4. 44 Points – College of St. Scholastica
5. 33 Points – Martin Luther College
6. 31 Points – Bethany Lutheran College
7. 17 Points – Crown College
8. 16 Points – Northland College
9. 13 Points – North Central University
ST. PAUL – Co-champion of the 2014-15 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Women's Basketball Regular Season, the University of Northwestern, was predicted to claim the title again in 2015-16 according to a poll of the UMAC coaches. The Eagles, who earned four first place votes, were followed by their regular season co-champion, the University of Minnesota Morris, and newcomer, the University of Wisconsin-Superior who finished second and third respectively in the poll. The Cougars earned three first place nods while the Yellowjackets earned one first place vote.
1. University of Northwestern
2014-15 Overall Record: 19-12
2014-15 UMAC Record: 12-2
2014-15 UMAC Finish: T-1st
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 2
The University of Northwestern women’s basketball team will look to build on last season’s success, as the Eagles compiled a 12-2 conference record en route to taking home the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) title. Head Coach Aaron Kahl is back for his sixth season at the helm of the women’s basketball program. UNW has seen a great deal of success since Kahl’ arrival to campus, as he has tallied a 98-70 overall record and 61-23 mark in league play. Under his guidance, UNW received an invite to play in the NCCAA National Tournament last year.
UNW will welcome back three starters from last year’s squad, including Regan Cooper and Tiffany Stubbs, who were both named All-UMAC Honorable Mention. Kim Campbell, who started all 31 games in 2014-15, joins Cooper and Stubbs. In addition, sophomore Amy Berglund returns from injury this season. During her freshman campaign, Berglund was lights out in her first three collegiate contests, averaging 17 points per game. Courtney Cunard is back for her senior season after starting every contest during her freshman and sophomore seasons. The returners will be joined by a strong group of newcomers, who will look to contribute right out of the gates. UNW will welcome Dordt on Oct. 31 for an exhibition contest.
2. University of Minnesota Morris
2014-15 Overall Record: 16-11
2014-15 UMAC Record: 12-2
2014-15 UMAC Finish: T-1st
Starters Returning: 2
Starters Lost: 3
The Minnesota Morris women’s basketball team is headed into 2015-16 looking for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. Last season the Cougars won their sixth straight UMAC Regular Season Title before winning the UMAC Tournament Title and received a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Morris will have to replace some key members from last season. All-UMAC players Kendra Wycoff and Emily Auch are gone after four years. They also lost starting guard Connor Lewis. Fortunately, UMM welcomes back a handful of talented returners, including UMAC honorees Kayla Kraemer, Cori Becker and Tori Holt. Maja Coomes and Jordan Halverson are also back after making contributions in 2015-16.
Head Coach Tim Grove welcomes a freshman class of six players that includes a few that will need to be ready to contribute in 2015.
3. University of Wisconsin-Superior
2014-15 Overall Record: 19-8
2014-15 UMAC Record: N/A
2014-15 UMAC Finish: N/A
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 2
The UW-Superior women’s basketball team exited the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on the highest note possible. In 2014-15, the team’s final season on the circuit, the Yellowjackets made history by bringing home the first conference title in school history. The championship was the culmination of a steady, four-year progression for the Yellowjackets under head coach Don Mulhern.
In 2015-16 the Yellowjackets will face numerous changes. Off the court the Yellowjackets have made the move from the WIAC to being full-time members of the UMAC. And as big a change as that is, the changes on the court are even bigger.
For starters, the Yellowjackets lost three-fifths of their starting lineup from a year ago. Among the losses are Brynn Liljander, an All-WIAC selection a year ago and Sally Linzmeier. Linzmeier had no shortage of accolades in her career, including two WIAC Player of the Year awards, several All-American honors, and four nods to the WIAC All-Defensive team. She was also the unquestioned leader of the team.
All that being said, the cupboard is anything but bare. Mulhern and the Yellowjackets return several key parts from last year’s conference champion. Among the returners is Allyssa Lindberg, a senior who led the Yellowjackets in three-point shooting. Other members of the senior class expected to make an impact are Allie Nelson, Grace Kennedy, and Hadley Skalmoski.
With the returning core and a strong recruiting class, UW-Superior has the pieces in place to make another run at a conference championship, only this time it is in a new conference home.
4. College of St. Scholastica
2014-15 Overall Record: 14-12
2014-15 UMAC Record: 11-3
2014-15 UMAC Finish: 3rd
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 2
The St. Scholastica women’s basketball team brings back four of its top five scorers from last season, but has a big hole to fill in the departure of Mariah Hovick.
Hovick was a two-time First Team All-UMAC choice and was only the third player in program history to record at least 1,200 points and 500 rebounds in a career.
Back is senior guard Kelsey Sorenson, who was a Second Team All-UMAC choice for the second straight season in 2014-15. She led the UMAC in 3-point field goal percentage (.492) and free throw percentage (.905). Sorenson averaged 10 points per game last season.
Also returning is senior forward Brittani Brennan, who was an honorable mention All-UMAC choice last season. Also back is senior forward Danica Schellbach and sophomore center Holly VanKempen.
5. Martin Luther College
2014-15 Overall Record: 9-16
2014-15 UMAC Record: 8-6
2014-15 UMAC Finish: 4th
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 0
The Martin Luther College women’s basketball team returns all five starters from last season’s team that finished fourth in the final UMAC standings, and hopes to build off those experiences with a stronger season in 2015-16 under second-year head coach Dan Gawrisch.
The Knights were among the top defensive teams in the conference a season ago, forcing a UMAC-best 20.0 turnovers per game and holding opponents to 40.2 percent from the field. Leah Nass returns down low to anchor the defense after leading the team in rebounds per game (7.3) to go with 8.2 points per game. She will be joined down low by junior Faith Schroeder, who started 22 games and averaged 7.6 points per game, and sophomore Jade St. Germaine, who started the final three games of the season after Nass went down with an injury.
MLC returns nearly all its perimeter players from last season, led by senior point guard Erin Schmeling (team-high 67 assists) and sophomore wing Grace Schultz (2014-15 UMAC Freshman of the Year). Schultz finished in the top ten in the UMAC in points per game (11.4) as a freshman, and looks to improve on her consistency in her second season.
Mariah Schoof (10.6 points per game) was the Knights’ second-leading scorer as a sophomore last season, and has experience in the starting line-up and off the bench. Sophomore Jessica Friebe also brings experience after starting 15 games as a freshman, and provides valuable energy and defense to the line-up.
6. Bethany Lutheran College
2014-15 Overall Record: 8-17
2014-15 UMAC Record: 7-7
2014-15 UMAC Finish: 5th
Starters Returning: 1
Starters Lost: 1
Bethany women’s basketball is moving in a new and exciting style under second-year Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lyle Jones. The Vikings return three key players from last year's team that finished 8-17, 7-7 in the UMAC. Bethany must replace Lacey Ellinghuysen who was a leader on and off the court for Bethany averaging 5.8 points per game to go along with 33 minutes per game.
The return of three-time UMAC player of the week and 2
nd Team All-Conference, Briana Brandts will be the leader for the women’s basketball team on both ends of the court this season in hopes to make a UMAC postseason appearance. Sophomore Shelby Sicheneder who averaged four points and four rebounds per contest last season will play a key role for this year’s squad. Also returning to the lineup this season after missing the second half of the 2014-15 campaign due to a knee injury, Dakota Ellinghuysen will look to continue where she left off during her freshman run of five points, eight rebounds per game for the Vikings down low.
The Vikings will look to returners and newcomers to add depth this season as they hope to again be in the hunt for the conference tournament. Highlighting the list of newcomers for the 2015-16 Vikings will be Minnie Fredrickson, Haley Sandin, and Christina Wilkinson.
7. Crown College
2014-15 Overall Record: 3-22
2014-15 UMAC Record: 3-11
2014-15 UMAC Finish: 7th
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 0
After graduating only one player, the Crown College Women’s Basketball team looks forward to the potential of the 2015-16 season. There is reason for optimism on Crown’s campus this year as not only does second year head coach Kevin Boozikee return all five starters and virtually all of his scoring and rebounding, but will also add his second straight double figure recruiting class to the program. Last year’s conference wins total was Crown’s largest since entering the UMAC and the most wins in eight seasons.
Despite having no seniors on this year’s roster, Crown returns several key pieces from last year’s team. Crown’s most decorated player, Desiree Davis (13.1 PPG and 6.1 RPG in the conference) was an all UMAC defensive team and honorable mention player last season, who also set the school record for steals in a season. She was joined on the UMAC honorable mention squad, by Jessica Klaustermeier (12.6 PPG and 5.3 RPG in the conference) who also joined Davis in the Crown record books by shooting the most free throws in a game. Also returning are starters Andrea Besa (5.3 PPG and 3.0 SPG in the conference), Leah Breakfield (7.9 PPG and 5.0 RPG in the conference), and Madison Stricklin (4.0 PPG and 3.7 RPG in the conference). Miranda Brueggeman, Marissa Becerra, and Katie Hinkle also return in reserve roles. Last year’s squad will be joined by an exciting group of newcomers including transfers Sam Mauer and Charmaine Begay and freshman Hannah Malone, Kayla Carter, Lexi Beazley, and Alina Rolfe.
8. Northland College
2014-15 Overall Record: 2-22
2014-15 UMAC Record: 0-14
2014-15 UMAC Finish: 8th
Starters Returning: 2
Starters Lost: 3
Northland College women's basketball program laid the foundation of a tough aggressive culture by first year Head Women's Basketball Coach Daryle Tucker. In second year the LumberJills are looking to move forward and build upon the identity from last year team.
There are 6 returners from last year team. Erin Gilly, Alison Blackford, Briana Tody, Ali Vernon, Paige Vernon and Lane Schraufnagel are all looking forward to the new year. They all have put in the work to be ready to help lead a new group. Depth was an issue last year that is no longer the issue. “I am very excited about this year. We have seasoned group of returners and an infusion of incoming recruits", Coach Tucker explained.
Northland College LumberJills have 8 incoming recruits for this year. This recruiting class have two transfers from two very successful basketball programs Bethany Best 6’0 junior from St. Cloud State and Kaela Huber 5’7 junior from Bethel. The remaining incoming recruits are freshman mostly from successful programs as well including: McKayla Waggoner, Emily Howe, Emily Wagner, Katherine Taylor, Kaitlyn Thompson, and Zhayla Reyes. These young ladies are eager and hunger to get started with their collegiate career. Seeing how quickly they can get adjusted to the college game is the key.
8. North Central University
2014-15 Overall Record: 10-18
2014-15 UMAC Record: 3-11
2014-15 UMAC Finish: 6th
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
The Rams will feature a blend of new and old in 2014-15. Under the leadership of new head coach Paul Brunner North Central will have a strong returning core of players along with a deeper, more talented bench than last season.
After serving as an assistant in the NCU men’s basketball program, Paul Brunner will take over the helm of the women’s program.
Coach Brunner will have senior first team All-UMAC forward Jamie High and sophomore honorable mention All-UMAC guard Lizzy Swanson to build around. North Central will return 85 percent of its scoring and four of the five players who recorded the most starts last season back in the fold for the upcoming year. High was a dominate player for the Rams averaging 16.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while Swanson posted 14.3 points and shot .350 from the three point line.
North Central will add a pair of guards that could make an immediate impact on the court this season. Freshman Syndey Steele was a second team all-conference performer at New Life Academy (Woodbury, Minn.) while fellow freshman Hannah Pfadt was also an all-conference performer at Chestertown Academy (Maryland) where she was also a team MVP.
Overall the Rams will have more depth and more experience in 2015 and Coach Brunner expects the team to challenge their sixth place league finish form one year ago.