2020-21 NSIC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL

12/16/2020 11:00:00 AM

MINNESOTA STATE & MINNESOTA DULUTH TABBED PRESEASON FAVORITES

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Minnesota Duluth was the unanimous choice in the north, while Minnesota State was selected in the south division of the 2020-21 NSIC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll. The NSIC schedule will be 16-games played over 8 weeks with teams playing the same opponent at one site on back-to-back days. The season will start with two non-conference games against one NSIC out-of-division opponent. The conference schedule will then consist of 14 games with teams playing each member of its division twice. For this season, the NSIC will only crown a North Division and South Division Champion.

In the preseason voting, Minnesota Duluth picked up all seven first place votes for 49 points. St. Cloud State was second with 41 points while MSU Moorhead was third with 37 points and the other first place vote (coaches cannot vote for their own team). In the south, Minnesota State amassed 43 points and three first place votes. Augustana and Winona State tied for second with 35 points and two first place votes each. Sioux Falls was fourth with 27 points and the final first place vote.

NSIC coaches rank each team from 1 to 7 with a first place vote receiving 7 points, second place 6, third place 5, etc. Coaches do not rank their own team or vote for their own players in the preseason poll.

Minnesota Duluth and Wayne State will boast preseason players of the year as Brooke Olson was chosen in the north and Erin Norling in the south.

The NSIC / Sanford Health Men’s & Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championships are set to take place Thursday-Sunday, February 25-28 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The top four teams from each division will make up the eight-team field for the 2021 tournament.

#24 Brooke Olson (F, 6-2, Jr. Rice Lake, Wis. / Rice Lake HS) - University of Minnesota Duluth

Named NSIC Player of the Year for 2019-20
Chosen as the D2CCA Region Player of the Year and named as an All-American (1st team WBCA, 4th team Small College Hoops)
Played in 29 and started in 26 games
Finished the year 4th in the NSIC in scoring (17.2 ppg), 15th in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and 2nd in fg percentage (51.9%)
Played an average of 16.6 minutes per night
Named to the NSIC All-Academic team

Brooke is one of the hardest workers and most competitive people I have ever been around! Not only does she work hard on her skills but she is a student of the game. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her set big goals for herself and find ways to reach them. Along with Brooke being talented and an extremely hard worker, she is an amazing teammate and treats those around her really well! She has a drive that is hard to match and I feel very fortunate that I get to work with her everyday!

Minnesota Duluth Head Coach Mandy Pearson

#22 Erin Norling (F, 5-11, Sr., Loretto, Minn. / Delano HS) - Wayne State College

Repeat selection to the All-NSIC First Team after recording 19.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game starting all 29 games at forward
Ranked second in the NSIC in scoring, fourth in rebounding, fifth in minutes played per game (33.6) and tied for eighth in blocks per game (1.0)
Scored double digits in every game and had four double-doubles with 15 games of 20 or more points
Became 21st player in school history to reach 1,000-point mark
Repeat selection to CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team and received NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors for second straight season

Erin is an amazing teammate, one of the most competitive players I’ve coached, and has an extremely high basketball I.Q. She puts in countless hours of training and perfecting her game which shows in how much she has grown as a player. Her love for her teammates shows daily and she puts it upon herself to make everyone around her better. Erin has a special love for the game and I feel extremely blessed to be able to coach her!

Wayne State Head Coach Brent Pollari

NSIC TEAM PREVIEWS & PLAYERS TO WATCH

AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY

17-11, 12-10 NSIC - T6th Overall - T3 South

The Augustana women’s basketball team enters the 2020-21 season with all but four seniors from last year’s team that went 17-11 and 12-10 in conference play. Dave Krauth returns for his 32nd season at the helm of the Vikings and has a 643-280 record at Augustana. The Vikings welcome two freshmen and two redshirt-freshmen into this year’s mix. Augustana returns two starters from last season in Aislinn Duffy and Hannah Mitby. Before being sidelined for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, the 2018-19 NSIC Freshman of the Year, Vishe’ Rabb started the first six games averaging 14.2 points per contest on 40-percent shooting from the field. Mitby averaged 10.6 points per contest on 43-percent shooting while averaging 3.5 rebounds. She also ranked second in the NSIC last season with 2.0 steals per game in league action. These averages increased to 11.3 points per contest on 41-percent shooting and 3.6 rebounds over the NSIC slate. Duffy averaged 8.8 points and five rebounds per game while Lauren Sees averaged 8.1 points per contest on 44-percent shooting. The duo of Duffy and Sees each earned a spot on the NSIC All-Freshmen Team last season. As a team, Augustana averaged 71.2 points per contest while shooting 39-percent from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc.

We have a number of untested players who may step up if they get the opportunity. We could play different types of lineups and it will be interesting. Our veterans should lead us early on.

Head Coach Dave Krauth

#21 Hannah Mitby (F, 5-11, Sr., Burnsville, Minn. / Burnsville HS) - Augustana University

NSIC All-Academic
Appeared in all 28 games last season and started the last 16 contests
Averaged 11.3 points on 41 percent shooting from the field in NSIC play
Averaged 3.6 rebounds in NSIC action and dished out 56 assists
Snagged 51 steals on an average of 23 minutes per game

Hannah is an extremely versatile player. She scores in a variety of ways: inside and outside and off of our defense. She has great instincts and is a real team leader.

Head Coach Dave Krauth

Bemidji State University

9-18, 6-16 NSIC - 13th Overall - 6th North

Bemidji State comes off the 2019-20 season in which it recorded the program’s most overall wins since 2013-14 and most conference wins since 2012-13. Head Coach Chelsea DeVille enters her sixth season with the Beavers and returns all five starters while losing just one player who played in at least three games. Leading the Beavers this season are all-conference second team selection Trinity Myer and all-conference freshmen team selection Rachael Heittola. Myer led BSU in points, assists and steals per game last season while ranking third in the NSIC in assists per game. Heittola, BSU’s Player to Watch, averaged 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during her freshman season and finished the 2019-20 season with three straight games of 10+ rebounds. She also became the first Beaver with a 30-point game since the 2016-17 season.

Last season, BSU was one of the best in the conference in offense and defense behind the arc, ranking fourth shooting 35.2 percent, which also ranked 39th nationally, and fourth allowing 31.7 percent on defense. Leading the way for BSU beyond the arc was junior Claire Wolhowe, who ranked eighth in the nation shooting 46.6 percent.

The Beavers welcome in five true freshmen as newcomers, including three guards, one forward, and one center. The backcourt consists of 5-9 guard Sam Pogatchnik, 5-8 guard Amme Sheforgen, and 5-8 guard Lily Weimann while the frontcourt includes 6-0 forward Jana Swanson and 6-4 center Jenna Anderson.

We have our entire core back in addition to returning Taylor Vold off the injury list. We have a tough interior core and talented guards to compliment them on the outside.

Head Coach Chelsea Deville

#32 Rachel Heittola (C, 6-3, So., Belleville, Wis. / Belleville HS) - Bemidji State University

2019-20 All-NSIC Freshman Team
Played in all 27 games for BSU with a total of 512 minutes
Shot 45.3 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the free throw line
Averaged 10.9 points per game, with a total of 294, and 5.7 rebounds, with a total of 154
Ranked sixth in the conference in free throw attempts, seventh in free throws made, and 10th in free throw percentage this season.

Rachael is a dynamic player who can dominate the boards, score in the paint and off the bounce. With the confidence she built in the second half of her freshmen year, we are excited to see what a this year will bring for her.

Head Coach Chelsea Deville

Concordia University, St. Paul

15-14, 12-10 NSIC - T6th Overall - T3rd South

Coming off an up-and-down 2019-20 campaign that saw them finish 15-14 overall and 12-10 in conference play, the Concordia-St. Paul women’s basketball team is eager to get off to a quick start in 2021. The Bears entered the 2020 NSIC Tournament as the four seed before being eliminated in the first round in an overtime contest against Northern State. CSP was picked to finish seventh in the South Division with 25 points, but only two points separate the Bears from the fourth place Sioux Falls Cougars. Among the Golden Bears to watch this season is senior guard Riley Wheatcraft. As a junior, Wheatcraft led the team and finished twelfth in the NSIC in points per game with an average of 13.8. She also finished eighth in the NSIC in three-point shots made per game with 2.1. The Golden Bears will also welcome back senior guard Danielle Schaub, who led the team in points last season with 356. Schaub also finished sixth in the NSIC in three-point shots made per game with 2.4 and seventh in the NSIC with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.7. Other key contributors returning for CSP include Meghan DuBois, who averaged 10.0 points per game and led the team with 44 steals, and Sidney Wentland, who averaged 12.2 points per game and led the team with 42 blocks. In addition to the 11 returners, CSP will add two new freshmen to the team this year. The team will open up their season on January 2 when they take on Minnesota Crookston.

The experience and team chemistry is what excites me about this year’s team. We will have our starting 5 coming back this year and they really love the game of basketball and know what it takes to win games in this very competitive conference. I also really love the addition of my two new freshmen, they both have bright futures ahead of them and I definitely see them getting some good minutes this year. I am really looking forward to my senior class and the leadership they will bring back into this season.

Head Coach Amanda Johnson

#21 Riley Wheatcraft (G, 6-0, Sr. Prior Lake, Minn. / Prior Lake HS) - Concordia University, St. Paul

Named to the All-NSIC First Team
Played and started 24 games with a total of 765 minutes for 31.9 minutes per game
Led the team in scoring average with 13.8 points per game (12th NSIC) and 330 total
Ranks 8th in the NSIC for three-point shots made per game with 2.1 and is second on the team in three-pointers, hitting 50 of her 136 attempts (36.8%)
Second on the team in blocks per game with 1.0 (24 total) to rank 10th in the NSIC
Ranks 11th in the NSIC with 1.5 steals per game and second on the team with 37 total
Shot 43.9% from the floor (116/264) and 81.4% from the free throw line (48/59)
Totaled 111 rebounds this season, averaging 4.6 per game
Dished out a total of 47 assists

Riley is a 6 foot guard who is a scoring machine. She led our team in scoring last year averaging 14 points a game and not only can she shoot from the outside but she is a great cutter and uses her length to her advantage. She knocked down some huge 3 pointers for us in big games last year and I expect a lot more of that from her this year. She is always up for the challenge and does very well under pressure.

Head Coach Amanda Johnson

University of Mary

22-11, 15-7 NSIC - 4th Overall - 3rd North

The University of Mary women’s basketball team will be returning to action for the 2020-21 season after a record-setting amount of wins last season. Last year the Marauders finished with a 22-11 record going 15-7 in conference play finishing 4th in the NSIC and 3rd in the NSIC North. The 22 wins is an NCAA-era school record. The Marauders return four starters headlined by Lauren Rotunda. The senior earned first-team All-NSIC honors after averaging 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while delivering 2.7 assists and making 1.2 steals per game. Rotunda was also an incredibly efficient shooter, hitting 52.1% from the field, 44.6% on treys and converting 90.2% of her free throws. A four-year starter, senior Macy Williams led the team in assists with 4.0 per game while averaging 8 points per game. Senior guard Coral Gillette led the team in total threes (84) and was number one in the NSIC in assist to turnover ratio. Junior forward Lexie Schneider averaged 9.5 ppg and 6.6 rpg. Sophomore guard Megan Voit started 10 games last season and was second on the team with 45 treys. Junior guards Raquel Doll and Carly Kottsick also saw significant floor time for UMary. Head coach Rick Neumann will look to continue off last year’s record-breaking season by bringing in new additions to bolster the UMary lineup. Transfer junior guard Claire Borotwho averaged 12.6 points her sophomore year at Miles Community College and freshman forward Ella Grove earned All-State and All-Conference at Alexandria (MN) Area High School. Both project to be in the rotation for the Marauders.

We have a chance to return three full time starters and two players that started over 10 games each. We return a large percentage of our total stats from last season--and that team won 22 games. We're excited about the potential of a couple newcomers to really impact our season.

Head Coach Rick Neumann

#24 Lauren Rotunda (G, 5-10, Sr. Fargo, N.D., Fargo Shanley HS) - University of Mary

Appeared in 33 games, with 33 starts
Averaged 13.6 ppg, 7.6 rebounds per game, and 1.1 steals per game
Was a 2020 NSIC 1st Team All-Conference selection and a three-time NSIC Player of the Week recipient
2017-2018 University of Mary “Unsung Female Athlete of the Year” award

Lauren has started every game she has played as a Marauder. She was an all NSIC Freshman team performer as well as First Team all NSIC last season. She was a 3x Player of the Week last year. Lauren is climbing the all-time Marauders leaderboard in points and rebounds and has a chance to become the school's all-time leader in steals.

Head Coach Rick Neumann

University of Minnesota Crookston

5-22, 4-18 NSIC - T14th Overall - T7th North

The Golden Eagles are entering their 15th season under Head Coach Mike Roysland. UMN Crookston has a strong core returning with 13 players back from the 2019-20 team. The Golden Eagles went 5-22 last season with a young squad, but they competed in several games with seven losses by 10 or less points. Minnesota Crookston returns seven players who started 10 or more games last season. The Golden Eagles are led by Mary Burke (R-So., F, Virginia, Minn.), who leads the way after averaging 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 2019-20. Bren Fox (Jr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) returns after tallying 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Golden Eagles last season. Kylie Post (Jr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) notched 7.0 points per game last season. Abby Guidinger (Sr., F, Waukesha, Wis.) tallied 8.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season. Alyssa Peterson (So., G, Menahga, Minn.) notched 6.1 points per game and shot 31.5 percent from beyond the arc, while Emma Carpenter (Fr., G, Eagan, Minn.) tallied 3.7 points per game. UMN Crookston adds three newcomers to the roster in 2021. They will get under way Jan. 2 and 3 at Concordia-St. Paul.

I am excited that we will have players coming back with the experience that we need in order to be successful. I believe we have players that have improved their game and are looking forward to the season. We did have one injury that will impact us but I feel we have good depth with players that have improved. I also like our freshman class!

Head Coach Mike Roysland

#14 Mary Burke (F, 5-11, So. Virginia, Minn. / Mountain Iron-Buhl HS) - University of Minnesota Crookston

Led the team with 9.2 points per game as a redshirt freshman
Notched 4.3 rebounds per game for the Golden Eagles
Shot 32.4 percent from beyond the arc
Tallied a season-high 21 points against UMary

I believe Mary has put in the time in the offseason to improve her game in a very positive direction. As a staff we are excited of her improvements and are looking for her to help lead the team in a great way! She will do all she can to help the team improve and be successful.

Head Coach Mike Roysland

University of Minnesota Duluth

26-6, 20-2 NSIC - 1st Overall - 1st North

The University of Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball program is striving to continue their excellence from last season. The Bulldogs took the top spot in the North Division and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference as a whole last season. UMD finished with a 20-2 record while facing NSIC opponents and a 26-6 record overall. The Bulldogs were one of the best defensive teams, giving up an average of 61.0 points a contest, and averaged an 8.7 score margin. UMD was tops again this year in assist to turnover ratio, sitting with 1.37, which sat fourth across the DII landscape, with their 522 assists sitting second in the NSIC (12th in DII). UMD turned the ball over an average of 11.9 times per game, which was third in the conference and sixth in all of DII. Junior forward Brooke Olson is looking to continue her dominance on the court. Olson comes into the season as the Preseason Player of the Year, as well as last season’s Player of the Year. She was also named D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year, and an All-American. She was the NSIC’s 15th best rebounder (6.4), second best shooter (51.9%, good for 62nd in DII) and the fourth best scorer (17.2, 70th in DII). She looks to lead UMD to back to back regular season championships again this year.

I am just so thankful to be around a group of people who always put the team first! This team is composed of hilariously kind human beings who make me laugh every single day. I truly have a blast every single time we are together as a group! They bring fun and goofy energy but at the same time work extremely hard pushing themselves and each other! I could not be more proud of how well they work together!

Head Coach Mandy Pearson

#24 Brooke Olson (F, 6-2, Jr. Rice Lake, Wis. / Rice Lake HS) - University of Minnesota Duluth

Named NSIC Player of the Year for 2019-20
Chosen as the D2CCA Region Player of the Year and named as an All-American (1st team WBCA, 4th team Small College Hoops)
Played in 29 and started in 26 games
Finished the year 4th in the NSIC in scoring (17.2 ppg), 15th in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and 2nd in fg percentage (51.9%)
Played an average of 16.6 minutes per night
Named to the NSIC All-Academic team

Brooke is one of the hardest workers and most competitive people I have ever been around! Not only does she work hard on her skills but she is a student of the game. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her set big goals for herself and find ways to reach them. Along with Brooke being talented and an extremely hard worker, she is an amazing teammate and treats those around her really well! She has a drive that is hard to match and I feel very fortunate that I get to work with her everyday!

Head Coach Mandy Pearson

Minnesota State University, Mankato

18-11, 13-9 NSIC - 5th Overall - 2nd South

The Minnesota State University Mavericks have been picked to finish first in the NSIC South Division pre-season coaches’ poll. MSU is looking to continue the upward trend of the last several seasons, including last year when the team advanced to the NSIC Tournament semi-final game against Minnesota Duluth. The Mavericks boast an experienced squad with four seniors, six juniors and three sophomores including NSIC All-Freshman Team member Joey Batt. Last season, MSU led the NSIC in scoring (77.0 ppg), steals per game (12.8), turnovers forced per game (21.3), turnover margin (+7.1), and finished second in the conference in rebounds per game (41.9). The balanced Maverick attack will see junior center Kristi Fett, who led the team in scoring (10.3 ppg) and rebounding (6.2 rpg), continue to anchor the team in the paint while senior forward Tayla Stuttley, MSU’s all-purpose wing and player to watch this season, returns after leading the team in assists (66) while averaging 8.8 ppg and 3.9 rpg. Along with Batt, Fett and Stuttley, the Mavericks return seniors Brooke Tonsfeldt (4.7 rpg), Emmaline Polson and Rachel Shumski (7.0 ppg and 4.7 rpg), juniors Maddy Olson (6.6 ppg, 2 apg and 1.7 spg), Rylee Menster (.515 3pt percentage), Tyra Boettcher and Mikayla Nachazel, and sophomores Shea Fuller and Carah Drees. New to the team are junior transfer Jinda Guidinger and freshmen Taylor Theusch, Grace Mueller, Ali Hunstad and Emily Russo.

We finished last season with a great deal of momentum as our defense improved in consistency and intensity. We’ve definitely learned that we go as our defense goes and the more playmakers we have on that end of the court, the better our chance for success. Since we return 12 players from last season, we’re really leaning on our experience and depth to build on our defensive presence from start to finish.

Head Coach Emilee Thiesse

#23 Tayla Stuttley (G, 5-10, Sr. Onalaska, Wis. / Onalaska HS) - Minnesota State University, Mankato

Led the Mavericks in three pointers made the last two seasons and led the team in assists last year.
Scored a career high 21 points go along with nine rebounds and three assists in a road win over Wayne State last season.
Has been named to the NSIC All-Academic Team the last two seasons.

Tayla is a great leader and an intense competitor. She is a utility player for us with a diverse skillset that allows her to play anywhere we need her. She led the team in 3-pointers last season while also using her strength to get to the rim and crash the boards. Tayla’s greatest strength is her ability to think the game and create scoring opportunities and it’s no surprise that she led our team in assists last season.

Head Coach Emilee Thiesse

Minnesota State University Moorhead

17-13, 12-10 NSIC - T6th Overall - 4th North

The MSUM women finished 17-13 a year ago – the 20th straight winning season under the direction of Head Coach Karla Nelson. The Dragons lost leading scorer Megan Hintz and have just two seniors but return eight players with experience heading into 2020-21. That is led by junior forward Peyton Boom, who was All-NSIC Second Team in 2019-20. Boom led the Dragons in field-goal percentage (51.2 percent) and was second on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game. Senior guard Sarah Jacobson started all 30 games for the Dragons in 2019-20 and was second on the team in assists with 95. Junior guard Natalie Steichen also started all 30 games a year ago and led the team with 110 assists. She also led the team in steals at 35. Senior guard Brooklyn Liegel was second on the team with 38 three-pointers made.

I love our youthful enthusiasm, their energy is contagious! They are a group that is fun to be around - they are coachable and have an excellent work ethic. We have a lot to learn but we are going to embrace the process and are excited about the future!

Head Coach Karla Nelson

#30 Peyton Boom (F, 6-0, Jr., Barnesville, Minn. / Barnesville HS) - Minnesota State University Moorhead

All-NSIC Second Team selection in 2019-20
Averaged 10.7 points, second on team
Led team with 51.2 field goal percentage

She is a definite presence in the paint. She has really worked hard to develop her face up game - which will make her harder to guard! Her ability to guard and rebounding will be key to our success!

Head Coach Karla Nelson

Minot State University

7-20, 4-18 NSIC - T14th Overall - T7th North

The 2020-21 Minot State women’s basketball team saw the graduation of all-time performer Mariah Payne after she led the team in scoring averaging 17.7 points per game, shooting percentage (.409, min 380 shots), and assists with 100. Payne etched her name in the record books with 1,124 career-points and will be tough shoes to fill this coming season.

The Beavers have plenty of options to replicate the production of Payne, with junior-college transfer Amber Stevahn, who was named North Dakota Female College Athlete of the Year in 2019-20 after leading the nation in scoring, now joining a deep roster that brings back experience from last season.

Haley Hildenbrand brings confidence and presence to the low post after leading the Beavers with a .488 shooting percentage last season and grabbing 129 total rebounds. Hildenbrand brings senior leadership and experience after appearing in 55 games over the last two seasons.

Senior point guard Bethany Theodore will call out the sets this season and was second on the team in scoring, averaging just over nine points per game last year and finishing second on the team with 89 total assists. Theodore will bring consistency and leadership during what could potentially be her final season in Minot after transferring from Midland Junior College.

Senior Calli Delsman is a unique guard/forward in that she can play inside and outside with a high success rate. Delsman was third in the team in scoring a year ago (8.6 ppg) and first on the team in free-throw percentage (.820).

The Beavers expect contributions from the entire roster in a year where the leading scorer could be a different player on any given night.

This is a totally different team than last year. We are quite a bit more athletic and we also have great depth. I feel we can go at least 10 deep without skipping a beat. With 9 new players on the team this year, we are excited to see how our different style of play will match up with the other teams in the NSIC.

Head Coach Mark Graupe

#34 Amber Stevahn (F, 5-11, Jr. Bismarck, N.D. / Shiloh HS) - Minot State University

2019 Region Co-MVP at Bismarck State College
2020 MonDak Conference MVP
All-American Honorable Mention
ND Female College Athlete of the Year

Amber had a terrific career at the Junior College level (Bismarck State College). Her freshman year of college, she led the nation in scoring and her sophomore year, she was #2 in the nation in scoring - both seasons about 25 points per game. She is a two time junior college All American and this past year (soph year) was named 1st Team All American. Also last year, Amber was named the college female athlete of the year for all sports in the state of North Dakota. Amber can go inside or out and we are excited to see her play in a Beaver uniform.

Head Coach Mark Graupe

Northern State University

14-16, 9-13 NSIC - 12th Overall - 5th North

The Northern State women’s basketball team enters the 2020-21 season after a 14-16 overall record a season ago. The Wolves went 9-13 in the NSIC, finishing 12th overall. They advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament after an opening round victory on the road at Concordia-St. Paul. Brianna Kusler and Lexi Wadsworth were named to the NSIC All-Conference first and second team. Northern returns nine from 2019-20 and welcomes seven incoming freshman and transfers.

We are excited to see what some of our young players can do coupled with our returners. We feel we have more depth on the perimeter and have improved our overall speed.

Head Coach Paula Krueger

#4 Lexi Wadsworth (F, 5-11, Jr. Hayti, S.D. / Hamlin HS) - Northern State University

2-time NSIC All-Conference honoree
Averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game
Shot 43.9% from the floor and 40.4% from the 3-point line and was second on the team with eight blocks

Lexi is in her third year at NSU and has grown with every season. We feel Lex has the ability to be a multi-level scorer and help us on the offensive glass.

Head Coach Paula Krueger

University of Sioux Falls

26-6, 17-5 NSIC - 2nd Overall - 1st South

The University of Sioux Falls Women’s Basketball Team, which lost seven seniors but returns experience and several talented newcomers, will look to win a second straight NSIC South Division title. USF, which received votes in the D2SIDA Preseason National Poll and was ranked fifth in the central region, was picked fourth in the NSIC Preseason poll. The Cougars finished 26-6 a year ago with a 17-5 NSIC mark, directed by all-time wins leader Head Coach Travis Traphagen (243-117). USF, which will open at University of Mary on Jan. 2-3, returns senior Anna Goodhope (10.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 705 career points and 97 threes), and juniors Hannah Jones (191 points and 167 rebounds in her career) Kiara James (166 points and 74 rebounds in her career) and Krystal Carlson (235 points and 124 rebounds in her career), who all have started games. USF also added DI transfer & junior Anne Brecht (3.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 161 career points, 60 rebounds, 51 three pointers), from DI Green Bay-Wisconsin. Another DI transfer is Emily Petersen (142 career points, 38 3s) from Nebraska Omaha and point guard Dallie Hoskinson (9.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 5.1 apg, 425 career points, 367 rebounds and 222 assists) from Johnson County Community College which was 28-5 & ranked nationally a year ago. Also back will be seniors Lauren Sanders (359 career points, 91 career threes), & Amanda Dagostino, freshman Madison Wuebben (15.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg) of Yankton, S.D., Megan Fannin (16.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg) from Watertown, S.D.

Our team lost 9 players from last years NSIC South Division team. With the addition of some transfers and some talented freshmen it will be fun to see the development of this team. With such a unique season, Our goal never changes here at USF, that is to win Divisional and Conference Championships. I believe the NSIC will be loaded this year. Should be fun to see how this team progresses throughout this season already because of Covid-19 we have not had much time to be together. If we can not get shut down in quarantine anymore we have a shot I believe to be competitive this season.

Head Coach Travis Traphagen

#10 Anna Brecht (F, 6-0, Jr. Sioux Falls, S.D. / Lincoln HS) - University of Sioux Falls

During two years at DI Wisconsin-Green Bay, led Phoenix to 41-28 record
Totaled 161 career points with 60 rebounds and 27 three-points
Totaled five double digit games with career-high 15 vs Oakland on Jan. 9, 2020
Former prep player of the year in South Dakota and all-time leading scorer at Lincoln HS in Sioux Falls with 1,662 points

Anna brings a very good skill set to our program. A transfer from Green Bay, she will play any position from the 2-5 for us. She is as skilled a player that has played at USF.

Head Coach Travis Traphagen

Southwest Minnesota State University

16-12, 11-11 NSIC - T10th Overall - T6th South

The Southwest Minnesota State women’s basketball team will look to continue its steady rise in the NSIC this season after recording its first winning season since 2009-10.

SMSU returns all five starters from last season’s team that won 16 games, which is the highest total for the program since 2004-05. Senior guard Meleah Reinhart has been named second team All-NSIC the past two seasons and is coming off a 2019-20 campaign that saw her lead the team in scoring (15.0) and rank second in assists. Junior guard Jenna Borchers averaged 13.4 ppg and connected on a team-leading 72 3-pointers and dish out a team-high 77 assists. Also back is senior guard Sadie Stelter, who connected on 56 3-pointers and averaged 10.7 ppg. Senior center Abuk Akoi was named to the NSIC All-Defensive team a season ago and averaged a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game and led the squad with 57 blocked shots. Senior forward Erin Baxter started 13 games last season and averaged 5.2 ppg, while sophomore guards Sam Wall and Madison Gehloff, both made big impacts as true freshmen last season, with each averaging 5.0 ppg.

The team will also welcome back senior forward Caleigh Rodning, a two-time All-NSIC second team honoree, who missed all but six games in 2019-20 due to an injury. A 1,000-point career scorer, Rodning led the Mustangs in both scoring and rebounding during her sophomore and junior seasons.

Our team has done an unbelievable job focusing on ways to get better within the changing COVID environment. Our experience and depth could play a huge role in the season. We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete – one game at a time.

Head Coach Tom Webb

#1 Meleah Reinhart (G, 5-9, Sr. New Ulm, Minn. / New Ulm HS) - Southwest Minnesota State University

Begins 2020-21 season sixth in team history in free throw pct. (79.6)
Was a 2019-20 NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence recipient
Academic All-NSIC
Named All-NSIC second team
Started all 28 games to average a team best 15.0 ppg and averaged 4.1 rpg
Ranked eighth in the NSIC in free throw pct. and 11th in scoring (14.3)
Led the team field goals made with 136 and free-throws with 113
Shot 83.7 percent (113 of 135) from the free throw line ranking sixth best in team single-season history
Earned NSIC South Division Player of the Week (11/12) honors

Meleah’s ability to score from the arc and at the rim makes her difficult to guard. Most of all, Meleah’s competitiveness and her eagerness to get better every day makes her a great teammate and leader.

Head Coach Tom Webb

St. Cloud State University

23-7, 16-6 NSIC - 3rd Overall - 2nd North

The St. Cloud State women’s basketball team, led by National Coach of the Year finalist Lori Fish, flew under the radar in 2019-20, as the team quietly went on a 10-game win streak before winning the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament for the first time since the 2008-09 season. This year, the Huskies won’t have anonymity on their side. The team returns four of five starters from the well-rounded 2019-20 team, including Second Team All-NSIC and All-Tournament Team honorees Tori Wortz (Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson) and Nikki Kilboten (Eau Claire, Wis. / North), as well as juniors Brehna Evans (De Pere, Wis. / West De Pere) and Katrina Theis (Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove), who all averaged 10.0+ points per game at the end of 2019-20. Also back for another season: Caitlyn Peterson (Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville), Erin Navratil (Albany, Minn. / Albany) and Kelsey Peschel (Sauk Centre, Minn. / Sauk Centre), who were all big contributors to St. Cloud State’s success last season. The Huskies additionally add four to their already stacked roster, making them a tough team to beat in 2020-21.

After graduating 6 seniors we are excited to see this years group form their identity. We are looking to build off of last season and challenge ourselves to be consistent every night in the incredibly tough NSIC.

Head Coach Lori Fish

#2 Tori Wortz (G, 5-8, Sr. Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson HS) - St. Cloud State University

2x Second Team All-NSIC honoree (2018-19, 2019-20); 2019-20 Second Team Academic All-District (CoSIDA), NSIC/Sanford Health All-Tournament Team
Led St. Cloud State in scoring (13.5), field goal percentage (.413) and steals (36) in NSIC play last season
Became the 32nd player in program history to score 1,000 career points in the Huskies NSIC tournament win over #24 Sioux Falls

Tori is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached. Her ability to make those around her better is one of her greatest strengths. The effort and toughness she brings everyday is contagious.

Head Coach Lori Fish

Upper Iowa University

3-26, 2-20 NSIC - 16th Overall - 8th South

The Peacock women’s basketball team returns to the floor for the 2020-21 season in January with a road double header at St. Cloud State University on Jan. 2-3. Upper Iowa returns five of their top seven scorers from a season ago for second-year Head Coach Nate Oakland. UIU went 3-26 overall and 2-20 in the Northern Sun in 2019-20 with wins over Concordia University-St. Paul and the University of Minnesota Crookston at home in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium. Sophomore Jessica Musgrave led the Peacocks in scoring and rebounding with 14.7 points and 6.7 boards per game in her first year on the way to earning NSIC Freshman of the Year honors. Musgrave is back as UIU’s Player to Watch and she is joined by senior Natalie Dinius, who has tallied 740 points for the Peacocks over her first three years. Sophomores Brooke Evenson and Lexie Lodermeier will also be a big part of UIU’s plans this season. Mixing in with the returners is a solid group of newcomers including some talented freshmen and transfers including Katie Tornstrom, who averaged 6.9 points and grabbed 2.1 rebounds per game for Minnesota State University, Moorhead last season. UIU’s first home weekend is scheduled for Jan. 8-9 against the University of Sioux Falls.

We have revamped & have begun the process of upgrading our roster, so there will be a lot of new faces. We have 8 newcomers and we feel like they will help our returners start to build a solid foundation here. However, the biggest thing we needed was to have more competition in practice, and add more depth, and we feel we have started to do that. I think our league is very, very good. But what impresses me the most is how talented each team is, and how many good coaches there are in our league. We know we have long ways to go, but cannot wait to get after it, and start competing.

Head Coach Nate Oakland

#23 Jessica Musgrave (G, 5-8, So., Toledo, Iowa / South Tama HS) - Upper Iowa University

NSIC Freshman of the Year
NSIC All-Freshman Team
Started all 29 games averaging a team-high 27.0 minutes
Led the team in nearly every major category including points (426), scoring average (14.7), field goal percentage (.412), 3-pt field goal percentage (.409), rebounds (193) and steals (27)
Ranked second on the team with 38 assists and added eight blocks

Jess had a very good freshman season – and honestly blew away our expectations. She had a great off-season and has been outstanding this fall, when we have been able get in the gym. She leads our team on the floor with her competitive drive and relentless approach to the game. That has become very contagious this fall, especially for our younger players. We will continue to rely on her on the floor, the good news for her however, is I don’t think she’ll have to do everything for us to stay in games with some of the improvements we've made & some of the new players we’ve surrounded her with.

Head Coach Nate Oakland

Wayne State College

16-13, 11-11 NSIC - T10th Overall - T6th South

The Wayne State College women’s basketball team returns a wealth of talent from last year’s team that was 16-13 overall and tied for sixth in the NSIC South Division at 11-11 despite losing their last six games of the year. Senior forward Erin Norling, a First Team All-NSIC selection the last two seasons, is one of the top seven returning scorers back from last season. She ranked second in the NSIC in scoring (19.9) while also accounting for 8.0 rebounds a contest. Norling scored double figures in every game last season and had 15 games of 20 or more points. Senior point guard Halley Busse, a Second Team All-NSIC honoree last season, accounted for 14 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Anchoring the middle will be senior center Brittany Bongartz, who produced 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a game last season. Super sub Kylee Hammer, a 5-6 junior from Wayne, averaged 8.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Other returning starters are sophomore guard Josey Ryan (7.9 ppg/4.3 rpg) and junior guard Autumn Mlinar (4.6 ppg/2.5 rpg). Sophomore guard Lauren Zacharias played in all 29 games last season averaging 3.4 points a game. Wayne State is slated to open the season at Northern State on Saturday, January 2nd and Sunday, January 3rd.

We are very excited for this year as we have added more depth and return almost everyone from last season. We are more athletic and look to be a strong team in the hunt for a NSIC championship.

Head Coach Brent Pollari

#22 Erin Norling (F, 5-11, Sr., Loretto, Minn. / Delano HS) - Wayne State College

Repeat selection to the All-NSIC First Team after recording 19.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game starting all 29 games at forward
Ranked second in the NSIC in scoring, fourth in rebounding, fifth in minutes played per game (33.6) and tied for eighth in blocks per game (1.0)
Scored double digits in every game and had four double-doubles with 15 games of 20 or more points
Became 21st player in school history to reach 1,000-point mark
Repeat selection to CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team and received NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors for second straight season

Erin is an amazing teammate, one of the most competitive players I’ve coached, and has an extremely high basketball I.Q. She puts in countless hours of training and perfecting her game which shows in how much she has grown as a player. Her love for her teammates shows daily and she puts it upon herself to make everyone around her better. Erin has a special love for the game and I feel extremely blessed to be able to coach her!

Head Coach Brent Pollari

Winona State University

17-11, 12-10 NSIC - T6th Overall - T3rd South

Winona State returns several key student-athletes from last season, including the Warriors’ Player-to-Watch, Taylor Hustad. WSU completed the 2019-20 season at 17-11 overall and 12-10 in the NSIC. Hustad looks to continue to dominate the paint at both ends of the court; last season, Hustad hauled in 222 rebounds – sixth overall in the NSIC - averaging 7.9 a game. She also was a key inside scoring threat, connecting on 178 attempts from the floor, finishing ninth in the Conference. Hustad’s 32-point effort against MSU-Moorhead in the NSIC postseason was the highest single-game scoring output during Warrior during the 2019-20 WSU campaign. Sharpshooter Allie Pickrain (Sr., G, Apple Valley, Minn.) has dominated from behind the arc over the course of her career. Pickrain is 76 points away from the 1,000 mark and her 201 triples are No. 5 all-time in Warrior history. Joining Pickrain in the backcourt is Emily Kieck (Sr. G., Baraboo, Wis.), who led the league in assists-per-game last year with 4.6 an outing. Sydney Lodermeier (Jr. F, Goodhue, Minn.) and Emma Fee (Sr., C, Burnsville, Minn.) both logged significant minutes as starters last season, providing balance to a veteran team. Lodermeier and Fee were second and third on the squad in total rebounds with 151 and 100 boards, respectively. Head coach Scott Ballard enters his 17th year at the Warrior helm and has notched 13 seasons above the .500 mark while at Winona State. In NSIC play, Ballard’s teams are 183-141

We are excited about the experience we return from last year and the depth and versatility of our roster! We have a good mix of upper classmen and a talented group of under classmen that challenge and push each other to get better everyday in practice! We are mostly just excited to play and compete during the uncertainty with the current pandemic situation!

Head Coach Scott Ballard

#12 Taylor Hustad (F, 5-10, Sr., New Prague, Minn. / New Prague HS) - Winona State University

All-NSIC First Team in 2019-20 after finishing ninth in NSIC scoring with 14.6 ppg
Led the league in field goal percentage at .560 from the floor for the season and was .564 in 22 NSIC games last season
Dropped 32 on MSU Moorhead in opening round of NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament last season
Had ten double-double in 2019-20, including two, 15-rebound outings in back-to-back games

Taylor is an explosive athlete that has worked hard and gained confidence in her perimeter game to compliment her inside game! She is a tough matchup offensively and a difference maker on the defensive end!! Taylor is a high energy player that never takes a possession off and is a relentless competitor!

Head Coach Scott Ballard

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