After a successful debut season wearing the Purple and Gold, junior guard Karlee Gengenbacher has established herself as a valuable piece to the Minnesota State University women’s basketball team and is poised to be a key contributor for the Mavericks again next season.
 
Gengenbacher transferred to MSU for her junior season after spending two years playing for hometown Quincy University in Illinois.
 
Gengenbacher, a speech language pathology major, averaged 10.3 points per game for the Mavericks this season while starting every game on the wing. She recorded a season-high 22 points in December against Southwest Minnesota State.
 
In her two seasons at Quincy, another Division-II program, Gengenbacher averaged 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. She also handed out 115 assists and picked up 53 steals during her time with the Hawks, all while earning Academic All-Conference honors in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
 
Gengenbacher starred for Quincy Notre Dame in both softball and basketball in high school, and was the school’s all-time leading scorer on the hardwood until this past season. She led the Raiders to an astounding 104-13 record in her four years at the school and a second place finish in the state tournament her senior season.
 
MSU head coach Emilee Thiesse was impressed with what she saw from Gengenbacher in her first season with the Mavericks and expects her to be even better next season.
 
“Karlee is very versatile and strong, and creates a lot of mismatches. She is also very competitive and knows what it takes to win,” said Thiesse. “She did very well after coming in and starting right away, and I’m looking forward to her developing her perimeter game even more and knocking down jumpers more consistently next season.”
 
What factors motivated you to come to MSU for women's hoops?
 
Last year I decided to transfer because Quincy University did not have my major I had no clue where I wanted to go. One thing I did know was that I wanted to continue my basketball career. After getting my release form I was not really sure what to do next, MSU contacted me and within the next week I was on a visit. I loved the school and the people that I met. Already having had Coach (Jessica) Keller as a coach (at Quincy University) played a huge influence as well. There has not been one time I have regretted my decision, I love it here!
 
How does playing for MSU differ from your hometown in Quincy?
 
One of the biggest differences that I have had to overcome after transferring is not playing in front of my entire family. I think that I could count on one hand the amount of games that my parents, sisters, grandparents, aunts, and uncles missed throughout high school and the two years I played for Quincy University. Although my parents made it to almost every home game and  my grandparents and two uncles and aunts got to come up for one weekend of games, that was something that took a lot to get used to.
 
What did being Quincy Notre Dame's all-time leading scorer until just recently mean to you?
 
Being the leading scorer at Quincy Notre Dame was a huge accomplishment, there have been some amazing players to graduate from that school. That school, basketball program and the great players I had the privilege to play with taught me how to be the competitive player that I am today.  My record was actually broke this year, by Jordan Frericks, who will be attending the University of Missouri next year.  
 
What do you like most about Coach Thiesse and the MSU program?
 
There is so much that I love about the program and coaching staff here at MSU. Coach Thiesse is such a positive coach, she is tough on us but only so that we will accomplish all that we want to.  The women’s basketball team and every other team here at MSU have the mentality that losing is not an option and that is something that you don’t come across often, it is amazing the year we have had in athletics. I also love the fact of how close and welcoming the team was when I first got here. I could not have asked to play with a better group of girls and for a better group of coaches. 
 
What was the highlight for you of this past season?
 
It is hard to just pick out one highlight from this past season. I would have to say overall just how much we got better throughout the season. Getting a new coach and buying into their philosophy and their tendencies is tough but our team did a great job of coming together and continuously getting better throughout the season. 
 
What can this team accomplish next season and what do you want to improve on most during the offseason?
 
Although we had a great season last year and accomplished so much more than most expected, we can be so much better. We want to be the team cutting down the nets at the end of the season not the team watching. This offseason is going to be key for our team coming together even more. A lot of us are staying this summer, so playing together and getting to know each other on the court more will help us greatly. We all have talked to the coaches and know what we need to do personally to get better and be the best basketball player we can. Just spending more time in the gym will be good for us as well.
 
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
 
I actually do not have any rituals or superstitions. I am a very laid back person so I just kind of hang out, joke around a little and mentally prepare for the game.
 
What do you like to do when you're not in the gym?
 
When I am not in the gym I like to hang out with friends and watch TV.  If it ever stops snowing here in Minnesota I love spending time outside. Laying by the pool reading is one of my favorite things ever to do.
 
Who is your favorite basketball player and why?
 
I honestly do not watch a lot of basketball, I actually never watch the NBA, but I really enjoy watching Aaron Craft play. He is smart with the ball, a great leader on the court and a very aggressive player.
 
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
 
I like listening to all music but some of my favorite artists are Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Mat Kearney, Eric Hutchinson, Beyoncé (whose concert I am going to this summer and I cannot wait!), Bruno Mars and Timeflies.
 
What is your favorite food or what would be your "perfect meal"?
 
I would have to say that Mexican is my favorite type of food. I love chips and salsa, nachos and tacos.
 
Where do you want to go that you've never been to?
One thing that I have always wanted to do but have not really ever had the opportunity to do because my schedule is so hectic all the time is go to a third world country and do mission work for awhile. I don’t really have a specific place that I want to go but anywhere where I could help and make an impact on people’s lives would be amazing.