Postseason champ Vikings tabbed for regular season UMAC women's hoops title in 2019-20
ST. PAUL, Minn.---Bethany Luther College will look to use momentum from the 2018-19 this winter as it searches for its first-ever Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) women's basketball championship after dethroning the University of Wisconsin-Superior in the postseason championship game last February. However, the conference coaches predict that three teams could have a shot at the title with the Vikings topping the list in the 2019-20 UMAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Thursday.
The Vikings were the favorite with 60 points and five first-place votes, while the coaches felt Wisconsin-Superior will remain a contender – after winning a fourth-straight regular season title last fall – with 57 points and two first-place nods. The University of Minnesota Morris is also expected to challenge the Vikings as the Cougars were third in the voting with 52 points and two first-place votes.
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Poll |
Team Previews |
2019-20 Schedule |
Last season the Vikings finished with a 14-2 record in UMAC play and finished the regular season winning 10 of its last 12 games. The two lone losses for the Vikings came against Minnesota Morris and Wisconsin-Superior, but the Vikings avenged those losses in the postseason defeating both squads in the semifinal and championship games, respectively, to earn the program's first NCAA postseason berth. The Vikings also outscored conference opponents by 21 points per game (ppg) which was just behind that of Wisconsin-Superior with a 24 ppg scoring margin.
The Vikings are well positioned to be successful again in 2019-20 despite losing four-year All-UMAC star Haley Sandin. Now a junior, Abby Olson should fill the role of the team star after finishing with All-UMAC First Team and several all-region accolades. A year ago, Olson led the UMAC in conference scoring with 19.0 ppg and 3-point field goal percentage (.435). Fellow junior Hanna Geistfeld also returns after earning Second Team honors and finishing fourth in conference scoring (15.6 ppg).
While the Vikings are a slight favorite, Wisconsin-Superior isn't going to go away quietly after four-straight years of dominance in UMAC women's hoops.A year ago, the Yellowjackets finished with a 15-1 record, but had to fight through the postseason escaping the University of Northwestern in the semifinal in overtime before falling 55-54 at home to the Vikings in the championship.
The Yellowjackets lose Player of the Year Hannah Norlin to graduation, but bring back senior First Team forward Eva Reinertsen who averaged 14.9 ppg and shot 52.7 percent from the field. Emily Carpenter was a Second Team point guard for the Yellowjackets averaging 5.1 assists per game (apg) while scoring 10.4 ppg. Ellie Leadstrom will also take a more prominent role as a junior guard to help lead a talented incoming class of players.
Minnesota Morris ended 12-4 last winter but picked up a win over Bethany Lutheran early in the season. With a strong group of veteran returners and incoming talent, the Cougars are positioned to be a contender again this season. Abby VanKempen returns at forward after Honorable Mention honors a year ago after averaging 1.8 blocks per game (bpg) and 7.6 rebounds per game (rpg). Lexus Eagle Chasing and Becca Holland are also back after playing critical roles as starters in 2018-19.
Northwestern was slotted for the postseason finishing fourth in the poll with 45 points, while the College of St. Scholastica was fifth with 33 points. North Central University was just behind in sixth with 61 points after making the program's first postseason appearance a year ago. Northwestern nearly took down Wisconsin-Superior in the semifinal last season and should be poised for another strong year with the return of Honorable Mention selections Rio Landers and Kelsea Lund.
St. Scholastica will look to return to the postseason after missing out last year. The Saints bring back Honorable Mention junior guard Kaylee Kennedy who averaged over 13 ppg. North Central looks to build on their impressive season last year with the return of UMAC Rookie of the Year Naomi Hagstrom who led a talented group of first-years who played significant roles for the Rams. This season four starter return to lead the Rams this season.
The poll rounded out with Northland College (19 points), Martin Luther College (15 points) and Crown College (12 points). A trio of sophomore guards led by Bryza Pizano who scored 8.1 ppg will look to help Northland toward continued improvement. For the Knights, Emily Witkowski is back after an Honorable Mention year. Crown will look for continued climb in the conference with three seniors returning.
Most UMAC squads open up the 2019-20 season with non-conference action next weekend beginning Friday, Nov. 8. Conference play then begins Wednesday, Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 14 before the holiday break. Games begin again Wednesday, Jan. 8. The season concludes Saturday, Feb. 22 with the conference tournament set for the week of Monday, Feb. 24.
2019-20 UMAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Bethany Lutheran - 60 points (5 First Place Votes)
2. Wisconsin-Superior - 57 points (2 First Place Vote)
3. Minnesota Morris - 52 points (2 First Place Vote)
4. Northwestern - 45 points
5. St. Scholastica- 33 points
6. North Central - 31 points
7. Northland - 19 points
8. Martin Luther - 15 points
9. Crown - 12 points
Team Previews
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BLC |
CC |
CSS |
MLC |
NC |
NCU |
UMM |
UNW |
UWS |
Bethany Lutheran College
Lyle Jones | 18th season |
2018-19 Season
14-2 UMAC, 22-6 | 2nd |
Postseason: Lost to No. 11/15 Wartburg in NCAA Tournament First-round, 91-63
Top Returners
- Abby Olson, Jr., G | UMAC First-team | D3hoops.com Third-team All-Region | 18.5 PPG, .821 FT %, 102 assists |
- Hanna Geistfeld, Jr., F | UMAC Second-team | 15.0 PPG, 7.0 RBG, 14 blocks |
- Kenlie Pytleski, Jr., F| 8.2 PPG, 6.1 RBG, 37 blocks |
Need to Know
BLC set seven season records last year and made the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The College of St. Scholastica
Stacy Deadrick | 26th Season |
2018-19 Season
7-9 UMAC, 8-16 | 6th |
Top Returners
- Kaylee Kennedy, Jr., G | 2018-19 Honorable Mention All-UMAC | 13.9 points per game, 41 steals, 76 made free throws |
- Alison Huber, Sr., G | 8.0 points per game, 47, 3-point field goals, 73 assists |
- Emma Schmidt, So., F | Named team’s Rookie of the Year | 4.2 rebounds per game, 81 points scored, 39 assists |
Need to Know
The 2019-20 recruiting class features four transfers.
Crown College
Kevin Boozikee | 6th Season |
2018-19 Season
2-14 UMAC, 4-21 | T-7th |
Top Returners
- Patricia Gibson, Sr., P | 7.0 RPG, 174 Total Rebounds (Crown Record), 5.6 PPG |
- Damonyka Roberts, Sr., F | 7.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG |
- Stevey De La Ossa, Sr., G | 5.6 PPG, 2.0 APG |
Martin Luther College
Dan Gawrisch | 5th season |
2018-19 Season
2-12 UMAC, 2-23 | T-7th |
Top Returners
- Emily Witkowski, Jr., F | 2018-19 HM All-UMAC | 13.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 40 3FG |
- Kati Aguilar, Jr., F | 4.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 24.6 MPG |
- Cassandra Rose, So., F | 4.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.0 APG |
Need to Know
Emily Witkowski led MLC in points and rebounds as a sophomore in 2018-19, and scored at 20 points in five UMAC games last season.
North Central University
Paul Brunner | 5th Season |
2018-19 Season
8-8 UMAC, 15-10 | 5th |
Postseason: UMAC Postseason Tournament (5th Seed)
Top Returners
- Naomi Hagstrom, So. | UMAC Freshman of the Year | 13.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg |
- Allison Bulthuis, Jr. | 11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg |
- Emily DiGiorgio, So. | 5.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 blocks/g |
Need to Know
The Rams have improved their UMAC record and finish each season under Coach Brunner and qualified for the UMAC postseason tournament in 2018-19 for the first time in program history. NCU returns four starters from last year’s team.
Northland College
Daryle Tucker |6th season |
2018-19 Season
2-14 UMAC, 5-17 | T-7th |
Top Returners
- Bianca Avalos, So. G | 7.4 ppg, 1.0 apg |
- Lindsay Bressette, So. G | 7.3 ppg, 1.35 apg |
- Bryza Pizano, So. G | 8.1 ppg, .510 FG% |
Need to Know
Coach Tucker is excited about the upcoming year. The top guards are healthy after an injury-plagued year last season. He is looking forward to the season with our guard depth and athleticism. How quickly can they adjust will determine the season outcome.
University of Minnesota Morris
Tim Grove | 14th Season|
2018-19 Season
12-4 UMAC, 16-10 | 3rd |
Postseason: UMAC Tournament Semifinals
Top Returners
- Abby Van Kempen, Sr., F | 2018-19 Academic All-Conference, 2018-19 Honorable Mention All-Conference | Started all 26 games for the Cougars, shot 52.0% from the field, averaged 13.2 points per game
- Lexus Eagle Chasing, So., G | Started all 26 games for the Cougars, averaged 9.1 points per game, shot 40.9% from the field
- Becca Holland, Sr., G | 2018-19 Academic All-Conference | Started 22 games for the Cougars, shot 34.1% from the field, averaged 4.8 points per game
University of Northwestern
Aaron Kahl | 10th season |
2018-19 Season
10-6 UMAC, 14-13 Overall | 4th |
Postseason: Defeated North Central University in quarterfinal, 80-64; Lost semifinal to UW-Superior, 71-67
Top Returners
- Rio Landers, Sr., F | UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention 2019, UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention 2018 | 10.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 blk./g |
- Kelsea Lund, So., G | UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention 2019 | 10.6 ppg, 3.3 ast./g, 1.3 stl./g |
- Miranda Crenshaw, Jr., F | 8 ppg, 6.2 rpg |
Need to Know
Coach Kahl enters his 10th season as the women’s head coach. The Eagles only lose two seniors and return with a veteran squad.
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Zach Otto-Fisher| 3rd season |
2018-19 Season
15-1 UMAC, 24-3 | 1st |
Postseason: UMAC tournament No. 1-seed; Defeated Northwestern 71-67 (OT) in UMAC semifinals: Lost to Bethany Lutheran 54-55 in UMAC championship
Top Returners
- Eva Reinertsen, Sr., F | First-Team UMAC All-Conference | 14.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 2apg
- Emily Carpenter, Sr., G | Second-Team UMAC All-Conference | 9.6ppg, 5.3apg
- Ellie Leadstrom, Jr., G | 4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, team-high 48 steals
Need to Know
The Yellowjackets have won five consecutive regular-season conference championships in the UMAC (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) and WIAC (2015).