by Tom Froemming
Issue date: 12/5/06 Section: Womens Sports
Considering its youth, it appeared as though the Minnesota State women's basketball team was headed into a rebuilding year this season.
After winning both its games this weekend at the Chuck Stephens Memorial Classic in Pueblo, Colo., MSU is 6-1 - its best start since the 1997-98 season - and it appears the future is now. Friday, MSU beat Colorado State-Pueblo 68-63 before leading start to finish against New Mexico Highlands Saturday in its 73-62 win.
Friday's victory over CSUP may have been MSU's most impressive of the season. The Thunderwolves appeared in the NCAA Division II National Tournament last season after going 19-12 and winning the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference post-season tournament.
"With each win we get a little bit more confidence," said MSU head coach Lori Fish. "They're starting to really feel good about what we're doing and believing in themselves. To most people, [going 6-1] is probably not a big deal, but where we've been, we feel good about it."
Once considered a liability, MSU's underclassmen are leading the turnaround. Of the 10 players who have appeared in every game this season, seven are underclassmen, including freshman starting point guard Tiffany Moe.
"She has probably been the key to what we're doing," Fish said. "I couldn't be more pleased with how she has come along as a freshman. I've been waiting to see the ups and downs and she has been really consistent."
While averaging just three points per game, the Brookings, S.D., native leads the team in minutes and has twice as many assists as turnovers. Fish also praised Moe's backup, junior Jamie Kienitz.
"These last couple games, her stats might not show it, but she has done exactly what I've needed her to do," Fish said. "Jamie's a competitor and I expect a lot out of our point guards. A lot of times, even if it's not their fault, I get on them, so she gets the brunt end of a lot of things."
Senior guard Allana Wahl has also taken care of the ball this season, dishing out a team-leading 3.1 assists per game and posting a 2.2 assists to turnover ratio, good for third best in the North Central Conference.
The trio of guards put their teammates in a position to shine as five Mavericks scored in double-digits this weekend. Friday, Alex Andrews, the NCC leader in shooting percentage (59.6 percent), led the Mavericks with 17 points on a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line while Heather Johnson added 15 points off the bench. Teresa Parker and Flecia Foster, former teammates at Pequot Lakes High School, led the way for MSU Saturday, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively, while Joanne Noreen added 10 points off the bench.
Junior Anna Voltmer was a steady contributor again, totaling 15 points and 14 rebounds for the weekend. Voltmer is the only Maverick to score at least six points in all seven of MSU's games.
A big part of the Mavericks success has been their turnaround defensively and their commitment rebounding. The Mavs have held opposing teams to a 36.4 shooting percentage after teams shot 45.4 percent against them last season. And when they make opponents miss, the Mavericks are crashing the glass, leading the NCC with just under 30 defensive rebounds per game.
After hosting D-III teams Augsburg Friday and Wisconsin-Stout Saturday, MSU travels to NAIA Division II schools Dakota Wesleyan and Dakota State Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, respectively.
While the four-game stretch features teams from lower levels, two of MSU's opponents are nationally ranked - No. 4 UW-Stout and No. 6 Dakota State.
"We may not be playing Division II teams, but we've got the best on the next level and it's not going to be easy for us," Fish said.
Tom Froemming is the Reporter Editor in Chief
