|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| |
2009-10 Beavers Season Preview
LADY BEAVERS LOOK TO IMPROVE ON LAST YEAR'S PERFORMANCE
The Lady Beavers ended last season with a bad taste in their mouth. After being rated second in the DAC at the beginning of the season the beavers fell short finishing fifth overall. The veteran players went to work in the off season to do what they can to make sure there is a different ending in 2009-10. With two seniors leading the charge and four veterans that were part of the Elite Eight team two years ago, you can bet that this team has a mission…..the NAIA National Tournament. The Lady Beavers return eight players, including four starters off last year's team. However, the biggest loss comes at the center position with the loss of All-American Lashay Bagsby and her 6'3 backup, Holly Siverling. The Beavers have added a lot of depth at all guard positions and are looking to be more of a pressing and running team this season. The strength of the team has been in the middle the past few years and the Beavers return some very solid inside players with all-conference player, MacKenzie Mack and returning starter, Caroline Folven. Depth in the center position will be a little thin for awhile as backup center, Kelsey Nelson, a 6'1 transfer from Bemidji State University , started the season with mononucleosis. Kelsey joined the team and practices in late October and we are looking for her to get back in playing shape and back in action soon. Velva veteran Whitney Loftesnes will be dangerous from way beyond the arc while veteran Sam Medcalf will be the peskiest defender in the league. Medcalf will also play a different role this year as an shooting guard and play sparingly at the point guard position. Dora Garza and Caitlin Durkin went thru the transition from high school to college and played their best basketball in February last year.
Garza averaged about 15 minutes a game last season at the point and gained a lot of experience. Durkin turned it on in late February and showed her opponents what they need to look out for this season. The scrappy guard has the ability to hit long range shots and get to the rim at will. We are expecting good things from both of them this season. Steph Brossart tops off the list of returners. Steph spent last season as a redshirt and learning the MSU system and how to adjust to the college game. This year will play mostly the junior varsity schedule to get her some needed court time at the point and off guard position. The group of signees is very long and talented. The “look” of the beavers will be scrappy as they will work hard on playing stingy defense and be more of a pressing team. All the transfers, including Ari Hendrix at the point, as well as sharp shooter Kallie Erickson and forward Adriana Cordova will be immediate impacts and help the Beavers get back to winning ways. Hendrix was recruited two years ago to come to Minot State but chose a NCAA Div. II (UNC-Pembroke) last season. After a year in North Carolina Hendrix decided to transfer to Minot State . Hendrix will bring added quickness, the ability to score and create off the dribble, and scrappy defense to the point guard position. Erickson shot over 50% from beyond the 3 point arc last year at Lake Region and will be asked to do the same as a Lady Beaver. The Fordville-Lankin native has good court sense and the ability to stroke it from beyond the arc. Cordova played an off guard at College of Eastern Utah last season but will be asked to play the small forward for the Beavers this year. Cordova has a nose for the ball and her best asset might be her rebounding, yet she has the ability to score off the drive as well. A host of very talented freshman join this years team and fans can expect to see these ladies on the court a lot in the near future. Sacarra Molina, a 5'9” spiny guard comes from Hinsdale , MT and has the ability to play any position from point guard to small forward and she will this season for the Beavers. Molina has the ability to shoot the three, score off the dribble, or weave her way to the basket. Lauren Safranski, a 5'10” guard from Burnsville , MN , will bring scoring and defensive tenacity to the court. Safranski has the ability to knock down the three and great quickness and athleticism to get to the rim. She will play mostly junior varsity this season to get the experience she needs to adjust to the college level. Michaela Larson, a 5'11” guard from Hutchinson , MN brings an great work ethic and a love to play defense with her long arms and quick feet. Larson will spend this season as a redshirt and have four great years for the Beavers starting next season. We look for great things from her in the future. Megan Mettler and Abbey Dufner will also redshirt this season due to knee injuries. Amanda Towle, a 5'5” guard from Boulder, MT will be joining the team this year and helping fill our junior varsity roster. Towle is a senior cross country and track and field runner for Minot State but was asked to walk on for the Beavers. She has now decided to get back on the court. Amanda is a scrappy guard who plays with a lot of fire and passion. We are very excited about the upcoming season and feel we have some very talented players to mix with the current pool of veterans. The DAC will be loaded with talent this year as the top three teams in the league did not lose much as far as talent. In the NAIA II preseason poll, the top five teams, including Minot State were ranked as high as number six in the nation down to receiving votes. It will be an interesting year once again around the league. |
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
