Dillon, Mont. – The University of Montana Western women's basketball eager to start the 2020-21 season.
After months of uncertainty and a constantly shifting schedule, the 2020-21 season is finally set to commence this weekend for Head Coach Lindsay Woolley's Bulldogs. Who will travel to Corvallis, Ore. to face the Oregon State Beavers in an exhibition game on Nov. 28.
The Bulldogs will face their highest ranked team in recent memory, in the Pac 12's Oregon State. Preseason exhibitions usually include match ups with Big Sky Conference opponents.
"Our kids want to play and so does Oregon State," Woolley said. "OSU was trying to find somebody to play and we happened to be available and decided to jump at it. I think it will be a neat experience for our kids especially to go face a top-25 Division 1 team, I know they'll be excited for it."
But this holiday weekend the Bulldogs face a tall task in the 18th ranked Beavers. OSU boasts eight players over six feet tall including two 6-9 post players.
"It's going to be a tall task literally and figuratively," Woolley said. "But it will be fun to get out and try some different combinations instead of beating up on each other all the time in practice. The kids are excited to get on the bus and play this weekend and hopefully again next weekend. Then get geared up as we look toward the start of conference play."
In order to find success this season the Bulldogs will need to fill the hole left by the departure of starters including honorable mention All-American Savanna Bignell.
"It's going to be an interesting year," according to Woolley. "We lost three starters, so we are going to be replacing them with a group of sophomores. Some of them played a lot of minutes last year, some of them not as much. They are going to have to step up into a bigger role this year."
Among those looking to step up are guards ShainyMack, Sydney Sheridan and JenniWeber.
"We are working our way to see who is competing well and picking things up in practice," Woolley said. "Once we start playing games well have a better idea of who can perform when it matters the most."
Leading the guards is reigning Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year Paige Holmes.
"She is a good leader and knows how we want things done and knows what should be done," Woolley said of Holmes. "She knows what it's like to be successful, having been here for five years. It starts with her. She's is our engine like she was last year."
Woolley returns almost all of his forwards from last season and expects their workload to increase.
"Having Brynley (Fitzgerald) back is good," Woolley said. "I though she finished the year really strong. Natali (Denning) really improved over the summer and I expect her along with Lilly (Gopher) and Mesa (King) to play more minutes and take on a bigger role."
Newcomers Emily Curtis, Melanie Johnson, Jayden Winslow and Margaret Anderson provide healthy competition as they fight to earn minutes on the floor.
"It's going to be interesting for those kids who haven't played in a while to see how they progress throughout the year," Woolley said. "And see which kids take on the role and embrace it and excel with the role they are given.
After this weekend's exhibition tilt with Oregon State, the Bulldogs open at home on Dec. 5 and 6 hosting The College of Idaho for a pair of games in Straugh Gymnasium.
Due to Frontier Conference COVID-19 protocols, spectators will not be permitted in the Straugh Gymnasium until further notice. All Bulldog Athletics home events can be streamed at www.bulldogsports.com/watch
Please check the website regularly for up-to-date schedules at https://umwbulldogs.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule
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