TJ Leverentz/Winonan
The Winona State University women’s basketball team opens up its regular season Nov. 10 with seven of its first ten games at home.
The Warriors faced the University of Minnesota in an exhibition game Oct. 29, losing to the Gophers 82-44. They also faced the University of Wisconsin Nov. 3 in the second and final exhibition game of the season, resulting in a 80-49 loss.
Coach Scott Ballard said playing a Big Ten opponent like the Gophers is challenging because they force their margin of error to be small.
Golden Gopher Amanda Zauhi posted a double-double with 28 points and 19 rebounds against the Warriors. “She will play in the WNBA; we double teamed her every time she caught it,” Ballard said.
This season the Warriors will feature seven underclassman including five freshmen.
“We have a young guard core, but we have more speed, so in order to take advantage of that, we will full court press and be a full court team. It was hard to get out in transition against Minnesota,” Ballard said.
The unranked Warriors will enter a conference with 4th ranked Augustana, 17th ranked Minnesota State-Mankato and 24th ranked Concordia in the NCAA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll. In the NSIC, the Warriors are projected to finish eighth.
“Concordia and Mankato are head and shoulders above everyone else on paper because of the season they had last year and all of their returning players, but every team can be beaten different ways,” Ballard said.
Ballard and company are looking forward to some unfinished business, including facing St. Mary’s after losing to them last season.
“We lost to them last season, and we haven’t forgotten that. But you have to get ready for everybody,” Ballard said.
Despite having the young guard core, the Warriors started four seniors in their exhibition game.
“We graduated four seniors last year and three of them were guards. Now we have players that know this is their turn,” Ballard said. “Our group has a lot of unproven younger players, who have some potential. The biggest thing with them is that they are inconsistent,” Ballard said.
The Warriors’ preseason will wrap up with an exhibition game against the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a scrimmage against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Warriors will tip off their season Sunday against St. Mary’s at McCown Gym at 3 p.m.
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