“Well, when you consider that we were already limited to only
having five returners, including two starters, back from last year’s team, we
already had our work cut out for us,” said Head Coach Paul Whitt. “Then it was
confirmed that we wouldn’t have Lydia, a starter and captain, because of her
injury at the end of the season. We then lost our other starter and captain,
Ellie, for the season twenty seconds into our third game and another returner, Sara, in
our fourth game. Our lineup has really been a revolving door.”
What the remaining team has lacked in experience, they have
made up for with effort and hustle. The Lady Pioneers went 1-2 at the Midwest
Regional Tip-off Tournament in Chicago back in November. After dropping the opening game to
ninth-ranked Philadelphia Biblical University 58–47, they defeated Lincoln
Christian University 61–43 before losing to Emmaus Bible College, 53–50.
Returning home with fewer players and less experience proved too much for the
team as they dropped consecutive games to Silver Lake College (59–46),
UW-Marinette (72–47), and Grace Bible College (67–50).
“We know what we’re up against and the difficulty every game
will present,” Whitt said. “But I’m so encouraged that this team has the desire
and the drive to improve as individuals every practice, and we’ll see where that takes
us. We continue talking about each player improving a small step, which will
allow the team to take a giant step forward. I think it has already started.”
The team has been led offensively by freshman Kate Matthai’s
16.4 points per game. Captain Brooke Byard is scoring 10 ppg, and freshman
Rebecca Newton 7 ppg. Newton leads the team in rebounds with 11.6 rebounds per
game with Becky Thomas pulling down 8.4. “Kate and Rebecca have been real encouragements as freshmen
and have already become leaders for this team,” Whitt said. “Brooke has been a
steady leader for us, and Becky provides a lot of intensity. I’m also thankful
for Miranda (Smith) and her contributions. She has had to step out of her
comfort zone and play more minutes than she planned, but she has been a help to the
team.”
The team will reconvene on January 7 for three
practices before beginning the second semester schedule that will be
challenging. Despite that, Coach Whitt is excited about the opportunity to
teach and disciple. “Are we happy with 1-6? Obviously not. But we understand
this is a stewardship, and we have to be faithful with the ability we have.
Part of that stewardship is making yourself and your team better, and I love
the character of the girls on this team. I’m really looking forward to getting
together in January and starting our second season!”