Sophomores Paige Anderson and Christine Miller are recovering from a pair of nagging injuries and are now just getting up to speed.
Freshman center Lenishka McDonald suffered a career-ending knee injury in a recent scrimmage against Minot State.
And with Kelsey Miller, Krysta Wickenhauser and Shari Hewson still playing volleyball, the Lady Tetons are short on players these days.
"My assistant and I got done with practice last week and we were just happy to get done without an injury," said Williston State women's coach Tom Suelzle. However, with five returning players that helped the Lady Tetons finish last season with a 27-5 record, things are looking pretty bright for the 2009-10 campaign.
"I'm looking for a good season," Suelzle said.
Among the returners is Miller, who led the Lady Tetons in scoring last season at 10 points per game. She was also second on the team with six rebounds per game.
Abby Nasset should also have a big season for Williston State. As a freshman, she finished with a scoring average of eight points a contest. She also pulled down six rebounds a game.
Offensively, the Lady Tetons will look to push the ball as much as possible.
"We want to use the uptempo game as much as we can," the Williston State coach said. "We like it. We want to get up the court, but we've got to rebound."
While team speed is a strength, team defense is an area of concern.
"Defensively, we need to be better in man and zone," Suelzle said.
Steady improvement is a goal the Lady Tetons are hoping to accomplish this season.
"We want to be able to get used to playing with each other," Suelzle said. "And be the best team we can be at the end of the season."
Williston State will open the season Sunday afternoon at home against Minot State JV at 3 p.m. The Lady Tetons will then play at Casper, Wyo., on Nov. 6-7.
2009-10 Lady Tetons schedule
Nov. 1 vs. Minot State JV, 3 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Casper CC, TBA
Nov. 7 at Casper CC, TBA
Nov. 12 Mon-Dak tournament, 6 p.m.
Nov. 13 Mon-Dak tournament, 5 p.m.
Nov. 14 Mon-Dak tournament, 4 p.m.
Nov. 27 at North Idaho Thanksgiving Classic, TBA
Nov. 28 at North Idaho Thanksgiving Classic, TBA
Nov. 29 at Salish-Kootenai, TBA
Dec. 4 vs. Gillette College, 6 p.m.
Dec. 5 vs. Sheridan College, 4 p.m.
Dec. 29-31 at Scottsdale Classic in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Jan. 5 at NDSCS, 6 p.m.
Jan. 7 vs. MSU-Bottineau, 6 p.m.
Jan. 14 at Bismarck State College, 6 p.m.
Jan. 15 at United Tribes, 6 p.m.
Jan. 18 at Dawson Community College, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 vs. Lake Region State College, 6 p.m.
Jan. 26 vs. Miles Community College, 6 p.m.
Jan. 30 vs. NDSCS, 4 p.m.
Feb. 3 at MSU-Bottineau, 6 p.m.
Feb. 8 vs. United Tribes, 6 p.m.
Feb. 10 at Miles CC, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 vs. Central Wyoming CC, 2 p.m.
Feb. 14 vs. Central Wyoming CC, 2 p.m.
Feb. 17 at Lake Region State College, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 vs. Bismarck State College, 4 p.m.
Feb. 24 vs. Dawson CC, 6 p.m.
Comments