By Katie Vulich
Women’s Basketball
In its last two seasons, the BU women’s basketball team has finished wanting more. The Knights ended last year with an overall record of 22-8. A semifinal loss to Drury in the GLVC championships was followed by a second loss to Drury in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament.
“We’ve made it to the NCAA tournament for the past two years and lost in the first round both years,” senior Beth Bowers said. “This year we want to get over that ‘hump’ and go further than we, as a program, ever have.”
After graduating impact players Sarah Galvin, Whitney Hartlage, Destony Curry, Kelsey Adwell and Serena Sandusky, coach Chancellor Dugan added Division I transfer Allison Van Dyke and four freshmen — Breia Torrens, Whitney O’Mara, Abigail Burke and Lauren Deel — to the roster.
“I love the newcomers,” Merriweather said. “They are so talented, and they’re eager to get better. They have impacted the team since they’ve gotten here.”
The new players are also eager to showcase their skills on the court this season.
“Acclimating to a new school, new team, and new city has been challenging at times but for the most part has been very good and exciting” VanDyke said. “I really enjoy being a part of a team and community that supports each other. It would be easy to say I play a guard/ forward position, but I believe that my role is to do whatever is needed to help the team be successful no matter the role.”
The GLVC pre-season coaches’ poll predicts the Knights will finish third in the GLVC East out of five teams. Dugan is looking to seniors Bowers and Merriweather to continue to set a high standard for the team.
“Our seniors have really stepped up,” Dugan said. “They really committed this summer and worked out with Steve (Hartman, the sports performance coach) every day. I can’t tell you how much that means to our younger players.”
Merriweather said: “[Steve] has pushed me past my limits which has gotten me prepared for the season. I feel stronger and better endured to push through when fatigue hits. I owe a lot to Steve.”
This season, however, has also presented a few challenges.
Junior center Ally Mayhaus will miss this year with a torn ACL; sophomore guard Taylor Hunter is out with a torn labrum and freshman forward Abigail Burke has a stress fracture in her foot. The injured players have given other players the opportunity to rise to the occasion. Mayhaus’s absence has given junior center Liza Tibbs more time on the court. Merriweather, Van Dyke, Berry, O’Mara, Schwartz and Downey have been key players in the team’s first five games.
The Knights have recorded wins against Saginaw Valley State, Northwood and Alderson Broaddus. Their current record is 3-3.