Women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in GLVC
By Kelley Sprinkle | Staff Writer
In the 2007-08 season, the UIndy woman’s basketball team played in the semi-finals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament (GLVC) and earned a bid in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament in which The ‘Hounds lost to 2007-08 Division II Champion, Northern Kentucky University, 54-55.
On Oct. 21, the 2008-09 pre-season polls were released and UIndy was ranked second in the GLVC East Division.
UIndy headed to Disneyland in Anaheim, to play in the second annual Disney Division II Tip-Off West Coast Classic Nov. 7-9.
The Disney Tip-Off Classic is an add-on tourney of the original Disney Division II Classic played in Florida. Only four teams play in the West Coast Classic compared to the 12 teams playing in Florida. The West Coast Classic is a pre-season tourney, and a building block for UIndy to use as a guide to help make the team stronger.
“The Disney Tip-Off tourney is important. Our team is very competitive. We want to go out and win every game we play in, whether we are playing a Division I team, or a school all the way across the country,” said junior Jessica Canary.
The tournament took place at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. The ‘Hounds took the court against Cal Poly Pomona in the first game and won 67-57. On Nov. 8, UIndy competed against Central Washington in their second game and won 84-44. The last day of the tournament the ‘Hounds defeated Concordia University-St. Paul 77-66.
Before the season officially began, UIndy played exhibition games against Indiana State University on Nov. 1 and Indiana University on Nov. 4.
“These games [gave] both coaches and players an idea on where strengths and weaknesses are in players, plays and all around the whole play of the team,” head coach LeAnn Freeland said. “Early games help build team chemistry. Early games help build team chemistry and our players enjoy playing against NCAA Division I competition.”
In the first 13 minutes of the game against IU, the Hoosiers used a fast paced offense and scored 30 of the games first 32 points. With 27 minutes left, UIndy picked up the pace and outscored IU 54-52, but it wasn’t enough as IU won 82-56. Freshman Caroline Schutzman scored 15 points and hitting three three-pointers. Canary scored 12 points, had six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The ‘Hounds traveled to Terre Haute, Ind. to battle it out against ISU and lost 70-63. Schutzman and Canary led the team in points and rebounds both scoring 14 points and five rebounds.
“Playing Division I teams are a test of mental and physical toughness,” said senior Isabell Rhenwrick. “We go into the games prepared to win; it’s a matter of execution, how tough we are and wanting to win the game more than the other team. The difference in divisions doesn’t really mean that much to us.”
