Emma Cavanaugh / Winonan

The Winona State University women’s basketball team played their second exhibition game away on Sunday, Nov. 6. They played the University of Wisconsin-Madison, losing by a mere seven points.

The final score was 78-71. The score was not unexpected; the team knew they were facing a challenge going into the game.

“It will be a big challenge playing against a Big 10 D1 school on the road. Wisconsin has a lot of size and athleticism which will challenge us in many ways but especially with taking care of the basketball on offense, rebounding defensively and limiting their transition opportunities,” head coach Scott Ballard said about the game.

The team lost their first exhibition game on November 1 against Drake University by 11 points due to the second quarter let down. Despite the two losses to start the season, the Warrior ladies are positive.

“It’s going to be a fun season. A lot of people are underestimating how good we’re going to be. We lost three key players, but I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people. It’ll be fun; I’m excited,” senior Kayla Timmerman said.

The team has nine returning players, three starters, three redshirts and freshman newcomers who exhibit talent. The team’s next challenge will come in Puerto Rico, where the team will travel to next weekend. They will play three consecutive games versus various Puerto Rican universities on November 11, 12 and 13.

“For Puerto Rico, I don’t really know about those teams but that’s just having fun, that’s when we really get to learn a lot about our teammates on and off the court. It’s an awesome trip because you get to spend time with your team, and you can really only focus on that,” Timmerman said.

The women certainly do not have a problem with team bonding. They find time to bond both on and off the court.

“We’re together all the time. I think people probably think we’re our own little group. We are always making sure everyone is included, and we have a group chat that we’re constantly texting each other in. When we travel, it’s a little bit easier because we’re together 24/7, but for preseason and postseason we get together, watch movies together, have team cookouts, stuff like that,” Timmerman added.

Coach Ballard added, “We have very good leadership with our five seniors and a tradition of strong team chemistry because they are best friends and engage in various activities off the floor and outside of basketball. Five days in Puerto Rico to begin the season will also help with team bonding.”

The women are not just all about fun and games. The preseason finds them working hard five or six days a week to prepare for the season. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were spent conditioning at 6 a.m. by running or swimming, followed by lifting. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for playing the game.

“Getting ready for the season, it’s just learning a lot. You learn about yourself, what you’re good at, what you need improvement at, what the newcomers are like, how everyone else has improved and what they still need to work on. So it’s just a lot of learning. Learning plays, learning defenses, being disciplined, getting back in shape,” Timmerman said.

The team boasts a depth and balance, that is  sure to propel them through the upcoming season. The assistant coach implemented a new defense several years ago, and the team has adopted it as their own. Their first home game is Tuesday, Nov. 22 versus Concordia University at 7 p.m.

-By Emma Cavanaugh