CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team opened up the 2018-19 season with their first practice on Monday afternoon. The Golden Eagles entered the season with 16 players on their roster. Minnesota Crookston is in their 13th season under Head Coach
Mike Roysland, who has the most wins of any coach in any sport during the NCAA Division II era for the Golden Eagles, which began in 1999.
The Golden Eagle women's basketball team missed the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Minnesota Crookston will look to rebound and they have a strong core for 2018-19 as they return three starters from 2017-18 with
Isieoma Odor (R-Sr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.)
Caitlin Michaelis (Sr., G, Marshfield, Wis.), and
Stephanie McWilliams (Jr., G, Grand Forks, N.D.) all back in the fray. Odor looks to lead the way with her play in the post after averaging 14.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a redshirt junior. Michaelis was third on the team in scoring last season with 10.9 points per game and looks poised for a strong senior season. In addition, sophomore
Abby Guidinger (So., G/F, Waukesha, Wis.) returns after an impressive finish to the season. As a freshman, she tallied 9.8 points per game.
Minnesota Crookston also returns
Paige Weakley (Jr., G/F, Kearney, Mo.),
Ashley Freund (So., G/F, Jordan, Minn.),
Amber Schoenicke (Jr., F/C, Marshall, Wis.), and
Maria Delgado (Sr., G, London, England), who will all look to make their mark in 2018-19. Lastly, look for several newcomers to figure into the mix as Coach
Mike Roysland has excitement for a strong group of eight freshman for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston added size with
Bren Fox (Fr., C, Norwood Young America, Minn.),
Julia Peplinski (Fr., F, Hustiford, Wis.),
Mary Burke (Fr., F, Virginia, Minn.) and
Alethea Kluge (Fr., F, Chisago City, Minn.) joining the effort for Minnesota Crookston. In the backcourt, the Golden Eagles brought in
Kylie Post (Fr., G, Corcoran, Minn.),
Kylea Praska (Fr., G, Thief River Falls, Minn.),
Paige Cornale (Fr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.), and
Kayla Sirjord (Fr., G, Ulen, Minn.) to compete for time.
The Golden Eagles open up their exhibition slate Oct. 30 at University of North Dakota. They also take on University of Northwestern (Minn.) Nov. 3 at Lysaker Gymnasium, before starting the regular-season Nov. 9 on a neutral court in Wayne, Neb. against University of Nebraska-Kearney.
