Women’s Basketball Preview: Lady Coyotes seek to improve in 2007-08
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

KWU Head Coach Gordon Reimer talks about the upcoming season at KCAC Media Day on October 17 in Wichita

Kansas Wesleyan’s Women’s Basketball team finished the 2006-07 season with a disappointing 11-19 overall record, and 6-12 in the KCAC. The Coyotes under the direction of fourth year coach Gordon Reimer seek to improve on that mark and make an impact on the conference scene this year.

The Lady Coyotes do have some major holes to fill. Gone from last year’s team are the versatile Jentri Dixon, Sarah Montoya, and All-Everything Ascendra Peters. Reimer and the rest of the Lady Coyote coaching staff feels they have assembled a quality group of players that will put KWU in the hunt for the conference championship in late February.

Things won’t be easy in the early running for the Lady Coyotes, as they will play the first 11 games of the season on the road while construction continues on KWU’s new Student Activities Center facility.

A challenging schedule also awaits the Lady Coyotes.

“To be one of the best you have to be able to compete with the best,” Reimer said of the schedule. “I’m hoping to use this tough schedule to prepare us for the challenging KCAC conference”.

Wesleyan will have the advantage of returning All-KCAC guard Kaylaen Dittmer (5-8, G, Jr., Tribune, Kan. / Greeley County) to direct the offense for a third season.

STRONG GROUP OF RETURNEES LEADS WESLEYAN INTO SEASON

Dittmer is one of a strong group of returning players that will lead the Lady Coyotes in 2007-08. She earned All-KCAC honors for a second consecutive season last year while averaging 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game last season.

Other returning players that saw considerable playing time last season and will figure into the mix are Charressa Gray (6-1, G/F, Sr., Topeka, Kan. / Butler (Kan.)) and Jenn Lee (5-6, G, Sr., Palmdale, Calif. / Antelope Valley (Calif.)).

Reimer also expects other returning players to fix into the mix and make an impact on the floor. They include Madison Askins (5-9, G/F, Jr., Parkville, Mo. / Park Hill South), Khristy Santee (5-9, G, Jr., The Colony, Texas / The Colony), Tierra Baldwin (5-10, F, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. / Forest Park (Mo.)), and Jenny Menke (5-9, F, Sr., Lawrence, Neb. / North Platte (Neb.)). 

Kelli Berg (5-9, G, Sr., Logan, Kan. / Colby (Kan.)), who sat out last year, returns for her senior year.

“Kelli can be a difference maker and I look forward to her being a part of the team,” Reimer said.

NEWCOMERS EXPECTED TO FIT RIGHT INTO MIX

Reimer expects a talented group of newcomers to fit into the mix immediately to fill some of the spots opened by losses to graduation.

Four junior college transfers and six freshmen highlight the Lady Coyotes’ ten-deep recruiting class, and Reimer hopes it will pay off dividends immediately.

In the backcourt, junior college transfers Robin Smith (5-6, G, Jr., Irvine Valley, Calif. / Orange Coast (Calif.)) and Emily Luckeroth (5-9, G, Jr., Palm Desert, Calif. / Irvine Valley (Calif.)) will provide great backcourt depth and may replace the scoring lost from graduation.

Jennie Vopat (6-0, F, Jr., Great Bend, Kan. / Hutchinson (Kan.)) will provide a threat in the post.

“Vopat will help us shore up the post,” Reimer said.

The Lady Coyotes are also looking for the future with the addition of quality freshmen. LaCole Wilkinson (5-3, G, Fr., Stewartsville, Mo. / East Buchanan) headlines the group.

“LaCole may just be the best freshman KW has had since Dittmer,” Reimer said.

Other newcomers that will compete for playing time include Bogdana Ilieva (6-0, F, Jr,. Sophie, Bulgaria / Central Florida CC), Megan Cavenee (6-0, G/F, Fr., Tribune, Kan. / Greeley County), Tiffany Goetz (5-7, G/F, Fr., Hoxie, Kan. / Hoxie), Brandi Jensen (5-10, F, Fr., Mankato, Kan. / Rock Hills), Abby Newell (5-6, G, Fr., Mankato, Kan. / Rock Hills) and Sharniece Pierce (5-1, G, Fr., St. Louis, Mo. / Lutheran North).

2007 - 2008 SCHEDULE WILL CHALLENGE COYOTES

The Lady Coyotes have their work cut out for them with a challenging non-conference schedule, along with the ever challenging KCAC schedule.

“We will be tested early and often,” Reimer said.

Wesleyan will open the season with 11 consecutive road games, and will not open at home until December 15, when the Lady Coyotes face Mount Marty (S.D.)

The Lady Coyotes will face four teams that finished 2006-07 rated in the NAIA Division II Top 25, and three NAIA-II National Tournament qualifiers in non-conference play, including the National Runner-Up in 2007, Ozarks (Mo.).

KWU opens conference play on November 19 at Ottawa, as all four of Wesleyan’s KCAC games in the fall semester are on the road.

After the Christmas break, Wesleyan heads to Point Lookout, Mo., to play in the CAM-JAM Classic hosted by College of the Ozarks on January 4 and 5.

The Lady Coyotes then get back into KCAC play on January 10 at home against Bethel.

Wesleyan heads to Saint Mary on January 12, before two straight at home against Sterling and Friends.

January 24 sees the Lady Coyotes on the road at Tabor, before beginning a four-game home stand on January 26 against Ottawa.

The Lady Coyotes wrap up the regular season at home against Tabor on February 23, before heading into the KCAC Post-Season Tournament.

-- KWU SI --