Strong senior class, improved post presence key for Lady Coyotes in 2006 - 2007
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information and Gordon Reimer, Women's BB Head Coach

Head Coach Gordon Reimer and the Lady Coyote basketball team is expecting another great year. On the heels of a turnaround season in 2005-06, where the Lady Coyotes finished sixth in the KCAC and improved from 5-24 in 2004-05 to a 14-15 record last season, the women believe it is time to take things to another level.

The Lady Coyotes look to a strong nucleus of returners as well as a very strong group of newcomers to make the difference this season.

After not losing any seniors from last year’s team, Kansas Wesleyan has four seniors this year that figure to be difference makers on the court

Returning for her senior year will be Ascendra Peters (5-8, F, Daingerfield, Texas / Daingerfield), who was a First Team All-KCAC selection last season, and also surpassed the 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds milestones last season. Other seniors include Jentri Dixon (5-10, G/F, Tribune, Kan. / Colby CC (Kan.)), Kayli Kauzlarich (6-1, F/C, Renton, Wash. / Mesa CC (Ariz.)) and Sarah Montoya (5-3, G, Phoenix, Ariz. / Phoenix College (Ariz.))

“Jentri is a consistent and dependable scorer and defender,” Reimer said. “Kayli is much improved over last season in the post and sharp shooting guard Sarah Montoya returns after a great season last year.”

Reimer also points towards a talented group of sophomores who will be impact players this season. Kaylaen Dittmer (5-7, G, Tribune, Kan. / Greeley County), who was named the KCAC Freshman of the Year returns, as does Madison Askins (5-9, G/F, Parkville, Mo. / Park Hill South), that Reimer feels is the most improved player over the summer. Khristy Santee (5-9, G/F, The Colony, Texas / The Colony) also returns after having a great second half of the season last year.

Other sophomores that will be counted on this season are Nikki Ellison (5-7, G, Wichita, Kan. / Wichita Heights), a very quick and a tremendous defensive player; Paige Vanatta (5-6, G, Tabor, Iowa / Fremont-Mills), who has impressed the coaching staff with the determination to compete every day, and Chantay Seim (5-6, G, Gypsum, Kan. / Cloud County CC (Kan.), a transfer from Cloud County who has been slowed by a knee injury and once healthy could provide the team with a great shooter and play maker.

“Kaylaen is stronger, smarter and more versatile this season,” Reimer said. “Khristy Santee, is stronger, much more confident and explosive on both ends of the floor and should be an exciting player to watch.”

Post defense and post presence on offense were key recruiting points for this year for the Lady Coyotes. Reimer and the rest of the staff feel they have added depth and size with junior college transfers Shannon Howard (6-0, Jr., F, Manhattan, Kan. / Johnson County CC (Kan.)), Jenny Menke (5-8, Jr., F, Lawrence, Neb. / North Platte CC (Neb.)), Tierra Baldwin (5-10, Jr., F/C, St. Louis, Mo. / St. Louis CC - Forest Park (Mo.)), and Jami Brown (5-10, Jr., F, Salina, Kan. / Cloud County CC (Kan.)).

This year’s junior class includes point guard Shauntel Cobin (5-0, G, Topeka, Kan. / Topeka). Reimer says she is expected to play a bigger role on varsity this season.

Three more players that could be in the mix are Jenn Lee (5-5, G, Palmdale, Calif. / Antelope Valley CC (Calif.)), a smart hard working point guard; Ashley Williams (5-5, G, Dallas, Texas / Clarendon College (Texas)), who red shirted last season and Alissa Libby (5-7, G, Jr., Newcastle, Texas / Jacksonville College (Texas)), both shooting guards who can light it up from three point range.

Rounding out this year’s team are freshmen Melanie Berg (5-8, G/F, Logan, Kan. / Logan), Janae Howard (5-7, G, Grainfield, Kan. / Wheatland) and Julie Foster (5-5, G, Fort Collins, Colo. / Fort Collins).

Reimer feels the non-conference portion of the schedule will challenge his team, and get them ready for KCAC Play.

The non-conference schedule includes contests against: Columbia College (Mo.), Baker University, William Jewell (Mo.), Missouri Baptist, Texas Wesleyan, Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

“These games should prepare us both mentally and physically for the tough competition of the KCAC,” Reimer said.