Idaho women’s basketball always starts the year with a tough non-conference slate, with the hope of facing early adversity for growth down the road.
In spite of the up-and-down results to start the season, the Vandals reached some lofty goals with just enough room to accomplish even more.
This season, Idaho has all the tools to run the table in the Big Sky and beyond.
This year’s team returns the Splash Sisters, Mikayla Ferenz and Taylor Pierce, for their senior seasons. Both are among Idaho’s all-time leaders across a variety of scoring categories and the Vandals have enough star power and reinforcements for an excellent chance to avenge last year’s loss in the conference title game.
There is plenty of predictability in terms of this team’s chances at success. Pierce was named to the pre-season All-Big Sky team, with Ferenz getting the added honor of being the preseason MVP selection.
Both should surpass the current program leader in 3-point field goals made, set by Christina Salvatore with 332. Pierce enters the season with 318, and Ferenz right behind her with 299. Both also figure to make moves in the all-time points standings, with Ferenz at sixth all- time with 1,717 and Pierce in rounding out the top 10 with 1,288.
Senior guard Taylor Pierce tries a lay-up against California State University in Memorial Gym.
The Vandals were picked to finish first in the preseason Big Sky coaches’ and media polls. Portland State followed up Idaho in both polls and figures to be a great source of competition in the upcoming year. Idaho also received two votes in the AP Coaches’ Poll.
Idaho did lose some contributors from last year, as Geri McCorkell and Nejra Solo both played their last seasons. McCorkell finished her career at eighth all-time in points for the program with 1,552 and third in games played with 128. Solo finished fifth all time in field goal percentage with .526. Both players provided leadership in the post, and the Vandals will have to get creative to replace their production.
Idaho will rely on some combination of junior Isabelle Hadden and sophomores Nina Carlson and Natalie Klinker to provide an inside presence to balance out the Splash Sisters on the outside. Hadden was second on the team with a 49.7 field goal percentage last year and she cracked the top 10 in the conference with 1.13 blocks per game. Klinker recorded her first career double-double against Southern Utah last season, but her contributions faded down the stretch as Solo became entrenched in the starting role. Carlson is the greenest of the group, but extensive playing time in this year’s exhibition games signify a growing role for her in head coach Jon Newlee’s system.
On top of all the returning talent, Newlee’s squad features a variety of new faces poised to make an impact right away. This year’s squad features four freshmen, although freshman guard Hailey Christopher suffered an ankle injury in the exhibition against Lewis and Clark State. Guards Gina Marxen and Janie King have already seen significant playing time and could help steady the ship if Pierce and Ferenz ever have an off night.
Two new faces will also add a combination of fresh perspective and veteran upside. Graduate transfer Juliet Jones and junior Lizzy Klinker made their way to Moscow this past fall and Jones is a particularly intriguing addition. Jones played club ball with Pierce back in high school and an opportunity to join a team like Idaho with a pre-established connection was too much to pass up. She also played for Idaho State before transferring first to Cal State Marcos She led the Bengals in 3-point field goal percentage during the 2015-16 season.
As is tradition, the Vandals will face especially challenging foes prior to Big Sky play. Newlee scheduled away matchups with Stanford and Texas Tech and Idaho will play Gonzaga on Dec. 20 before opening conference play. Idaho is currently 1-1 when playing the Power 5 programs, falling to Stanford on Nov. 11, but taking down Texas Tech 88-77 Nov. 17.
This year’s Big Sky Conference will be no cakewalk either and last year’s men’s basketball team proved once again that pre-season rankings never guarantee the same lofty results. Portland State is an especially dangerous, with two preseason All-Big Sky players returning in Ashley Bolston and Sidney Rielly, as well as reigning Freshman of the Year Kylie Jimenez.
The final ride of the Splash Sisters figures looks to be a thrilling season with every opportunity to capitalize on elevated expectations. With a reinforced roster and a chip on their shoulder, the Vandals are set for another entertaining basketball season.
Jonah Baker can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jonahpbaker