It’s time to head back to Shirk.
“Winning the CCIW is at the top of our list. We hope to open the season ranked in the top 25 even after losing four key seniors,” said Mia Smith, head coach of the Illinois Wesleyan women’s basketball team.
The four seniors, Caite Knutson, Kate Palmer, Mallory Powers and Lauren Huber, all left their names in the IWU history books.
Knutson led last year’s team in average points and assists. Palmer joined the 1,000-point club.
Powers knocked down a career-high 22 points in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship.
Huber holds the program’s scoring record and won last year’s CCIW Woman of the Year award. All four seniors were instrumental in getting the team to the NCAA round of 16.
After finishing last season with the team’s best record in the last 10 years (28-2), a CCIW championship, a new all-time scoring record and a deep run in the NCAA tournament, Smith is ready for more.
Only two starters, senior guards Ava Bardic and Sawyer White, are returning for the Titans this year. Both brought lockdown defense last season, where White led the team with 96 steals and Bardic led with 19 blocks. Bardic also led the team in total points, with 451. “Bardic has taken huge strides this summer and is going to be even more of a standout player in the CCIW this year than she was last year,” said assistant coach Kate Bullman.
Photo: Audrey Peterson
Smith mentioned two other returning guards that are grasping the changes well, senior Sara Balli and sophomore Alyssa Epps. “Practices are going very well right now,” Balli said. “We’re getting into the swing of things, lots of teaching, lots of learning,”
“The team is focused on improving on areas that we may have struggled in last year,” Epps said. “The team culture is good, and chemistry is very high.”
Bullman also added that the team’s new recruits have already strengthened the team’s chemistry on and off the court.
Half of the Titan’s roster this season are first-years. The team brought in nine new recruits, some of whom turned down Division II offers to join the team. Smith said some are defensive specialists, while others have specialized shots that can level up the team’s play. Most played for club teams outside of their high schools, and some played on international teams.
“The class of 2030 is key to this year’s success,” Smith said.
Smith said that the first-years have been picking things up very quickly, and the team agreed. “If you’ve ever been to one of our games, you know that there are so many things to learn, and our first-years are doing very well,” Balli said.
First-year guard Caitlin Leyden, who played for multiple Amateur Athletic Union club teams, said the team’s positive attitude and focus have added to their success so far. “The work ethic that we all share is what is going to make us successful,” Leyden said. “The returners have definitely set a great example for the incoming first-years.”
“The returning players have been nothing but supportive,”said first-year guard Lucy Hynes. “The coaches have been so encouraging. I have really enjoyed getting to work with everyone so far, and it makes me so excited for the season to start,” she said.
Hynes played for the Illinois Dream, a travel basketball program in the Chicago suburbs. She also played for the U20 Irish Women’s National Team in the European championship.
Smith said that the team is switching up their gameplay and that everyone is learning together. “We are learning a whole new transition system, so the learning aspects of practice have had our focus,” Smith said. “Everyone is learning at the same speed.”
While a new season means changes for everyone, Smith and the team are optimistic. “Last year was an incredibly fun year for me as a coach. But we know this team is different. Winning will look different. But I truly believe this team can make a run at the NCAA tournament,” Smith said.
Smith acknowledged that obstacles are to be expected, but the talent of this new team has promise. “For me and my staff, there is a lot of teaching, but the team is really picking up the changes and seems to like the new direction,” said Smith.
The Titans first game in Bloomington-Normal this season is an exhibition match against the Illinois State Redbirds at CEFCU Arena on Oct. 26.
The Titans will return to Dennie Bridges Court on Nov. 15 and 16 to host their first home tournament against Trinity University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The first home CCIW matchup will be on Jan. 3 against Carroll University, whom the Titans beat in the CCIW tournament final last season.
