Macalester women's basketball season preview
Macalester looks to make the MIAC postseason for the third time in a row this season under seventh-year head coach Ellen Thompson, last season's MIAC Coach of the Year, and the team has looked good during preseason practices.
Although all-conference forward Majra Mucic graduated after producing 14.9 points and 11.0 rebounds a game, the Scots return their next four top scorers. Macalester will be one of the smaller teams in the league, but should be able to shoot the three and defend the way they normally do under Thompson. Last season, the Scots ranked fourth in the MIAC in turnover margin, fourth in rebounding margin and fifth in scoring defense.
The Scots improved their record five consecutive seasons under Coach Thompson before dropping a little last winter to finish sixth, but still made the MIAC post-season by winning a three-way tie-breaker for the final spot. With the experience the squad possesses, and with some contributions from newcomers to the rotation, this could be an exciting season at the Leonard Center.
"We're excited for the new season," reports Coach Thompson. "We have a great group of returning varsity players. I'm looking forward to having our younger players step up and contribute to our success."
Macalester has excellent experience and depth and the backcourt and will usually have three guards on the court at once. Twins Jessica Rene (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis. / Memorial) and Shannon Rene (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis. / Memorial) and defensive standout Kyanna Jones (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Osseo) started every game a year ago, while the Scots get added backcourt experience from Maggie Wood (Sr., Oregon, Wis. / Madison Edgewood) and Taylor Pike (So., Ashland, Neb. / Ashland-Greenwood).
Jessica Rene picked up honorable mention All-MIAC honors after ranking fourth in the league in three-point percentage (.424) and fourth in treys made per game (1.8). She was also third in free throw percentage (.853) and on the season was second on the squad with a 10.5 scoring average. Shannon Rene dished out 3.0 assists per game while netting 7.5 points per game and knocking down 43 three-pointers (one less than Jessica). Jones had 39 steals last year while handing out 2.5 assists a game.
Forward Holly Schiedermayer (Sr., Waupaca, Wis.) will be a leader on the front line and will be asked to play a bigger role with the departure of Mucic. Schiedermayer started 23 of 26 games last season and averaged 8.6 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 43% from the floor.
A couple players new to the rotation will be asked to contribute: forward Kathryn Medinger (So., Sitka, Alaska), who was injured last year, and forward Annie Drabot (Fy., Cedarburg, Wis.).
