After an impressive performance last season, the University of Idaho women’s basketball team look to return to another Big Sky Conference Championship Final, but this time they want to get the chance to win it. Last season, because of COVID-19, the Vandals were unable to compete for a chance to win the championship game but they look to reclaim the spot they fought for last season.
“The situation couldn’t have been worse,” Jon Newlee, UI women’s basketball head coach, said. “It was a punch to the gut. We were getting ready to go to the NCAA tournament, we thought we had a pretty good shot at that. To have that taken away was rough, and it was hard on everybody. The months have gone by now, we know it’s a new season, and it’s time to focus on what we have in front of us and not what we have behind us.”
“You can’t take anything for granted, you have to play every game like it’s your last and give it your all,” sophomore guard Beyonce Bea said. “I think we are going into the season with that mindset and are all really excited to get back on the court.”
The Vandals remain confident even after losing senior leaders Isabelle Hadden and Lizzy Klinker due to graduation. The team has put their confidence in the hands of Lizzy’s sister, Natalie Klinker, who led the team in rebounding last year.
Natalie has stepped into a bigger role for the team as they push forward into the 2020-21 season. Other notable seniors who have stepped in leadership roles include guards Nina Carlson, Allison Kirby and transfer student Gabi Harrington. These seniors will have key roles in leading the team this season along with helping the new freshmen get adjusted to collegiate play.
Bea and junior guard Gina Marxen were selected to the preseason all-conference team as their performances last season proved they deserved the honor. The Vandals were also selected to finish first in the Big Sky from the preseason coaches’ and media polls.
“I think it certainly is a show of respect for our program,” Newlee said. “These polls I think are always a reflection of how last year went and who you lost. We lost a couple of really great seniors, but I think we have also gained some great new players as well. It’s going to be my challenge to put that altogether and have a great year like we had last year.”
The Vandals’ success last season stemmed from the defensive pressure they put on teams. The Vandals allowed 58.8 points per game, making them the best defensive team in the Big Sky Conference. They look to continue that success this season as they are pushing to be just as defensive minded as last season, but at the same time remaining a threat on offense as well.
“I think we are going to be a really strong team defensively again this year,” Bea said. “I think offensively we will be an efficient team, reducing those turnovers and being able to share the ball with everyone. I think we have a lot of players who are capable of being offensive threats.”
The Vandals bring in two freshmen in Sydney Gandy and Paris Atchley along with another transfer student Rylee Alexander. They look to utilize their young talent as the senior members of the team will be guiding them through how to be successful in the program.
Idaho finished last season with a 22-9 (15-5 Big Sky) record along with finishing the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. With the uncertainty surrounding this season due to COVID-19 and testing protocols, Newlee feels confident in his team’s ability to focus on playing basketball.
“We are very excited to get things going, get our season back, and gain some sense of normalcy,” Newlee said. “When we are out on the floor, we don’t think about COVID-19, then you go out into the world you see all that is going on. All I know is our team is fired up, ready to go and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Armin Mesinovic can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @arminmesinovic.