2016-17 Statistics
MENOMONIE (November 16, 2017) – The UW-Stout women's basketball team returns nine players and four starters – a good nucleus to build a solid foundation for the 2017-18 season.
The Blue Devils bring 13 newcomers – 12 freshmen and one sophomore transfer – into the program that returns four more sophomores, five juniors and one senior.
The returning players will define the culture of the team coach
Mark Thomas, who begins his 31st season, said.
"We went after our culture, not that our culture was bad," said Thomas. "But we had to define what we wanted to accomplish, then build to match those goals. Our returning players have bought into it.
"We went to work really hard after last season. We included our incoming class, as early as last April. You ask yourself if when they go away for the summer, will that continue? And they did follow through. Once everyone was on campus this fall, we could see the vision was bought into."
With such a large incoming class, the returners had to become teachers, Thomas said.
"We have started in a good place together," Thomas said. "The returning players have done a good job of showing the younger players. They have really been teaching the new kids the ropes."
Returning for the Blue Devils are senior Anna Brown (Wausau), juniors Kyncaide Diedrich (Athens), Bailey Diersen (Greenville), Carolyn Feddema (Hanover, Minn)and Courtney Oleson (Altoona)and sophomores Emily Jacques (Oshkosh), Becky Fesenmaier (Spring Valley), and Shayna Hohlfelder (Fall Creek). Brown, Diedrich and Diersen are team captains.
Haley Seifert (Ladysmith) returns as a junior after an internship last year. Shannan Watkins (Hoover, Ala) is in the process of completing an internship this semester. Watkins was a starting guard before going down after nine games due to injury and is expected to be ready for the second half of the season.
Brown, a team captain for the second season, is playing with more confidence this season, Thomas said. Brown started 24 games last season, averaging 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. Brown led the WIAC in field goal percentage, hitting 78-152 from the floor (.513).
Diedrich, an All-WIAC honorable mention pick last season, and Diersen have been fixtures at guard and wing spots since their freshmen days.
"They have done this enough and have this figured out," Thomas said.
Diedrich averaged a team-best 13.4 points last season and the 5-foot-5 guard was second on the team in rebounds with 6.2 caroms per contest. After Watkins went down, Diedrich stepped in and played some point guard, finishing with a conference-best 3.8 assists.
Diersen, who averaged 10.9 points last season, will give the Blue Devils a good scoring punch.
"Bailey is multi-dimensional, capable of going to the rim and hitting from the perimeter," Thomas said. Diersen also collected 42 steals, fifth in the WIAC.
Feddema earned 19 starts last season, a confidence builder down the stretch, Thomas said.
"Carolyn had to jump positions through the year and had some really good moments," Thomas said. Feddema finished with 3.6 points and 3.5 rebounds, averaging just over 19 minutes per game.
Jacques and Fesemaier both played big roles off the bench last year, Jacques at forward and Fesenmaier at guard.
"Emily is a physical kid around the basket," Thomas said. "Becky is an energy kid who needs to be our spark plug. She is just a grinder on the floor who will take our opponents' best perimeter players."
Seifert returns after a year away from the game and is expected to step back into the point guard spot.
"Haley is smart, a good ball handler who has worked really hard," Thomas said. "She is so unselfish that we have to get her to shoot. She is capable of making them."
Hohlfelder joined the team for second semester last season. Oleson brings a very positive energy to the Blue Devil bench.
Forward Amber Fabeck (So, Cottage Grove, Minn), a transfer from NCAA Division II University of Sioux Falls, fits right into the Blue Devils' plans. Fabeck, at 6-2, brings some length to the front court the Blue Devils needed.
"Amber is good under the basket, but she is also good stepping away from the basket," Thomas said, adding that Fabeck is a good passer as well.
Freshmen Lizzy Olsem (St. Charles, Ill), Aeysha Paskert (Greenwood), Alexa Gravunder (Wautoma), Claire Thorn (Becker, Minn) and Emme Osmonson (Bloomington, Minn) join the team at forward spots, and all are 5-11 or taller.
"They have that ability, that skill level," Thomas said. "They will get thrown to the wolves. We know they will stub their toe, but we will overcome that."
Seven freshmen guards will look to make their mark with the Blue Devils and will provide added depth for the rigorous 25-game schedule.
Brianna Banks (Eau Claire), Kara Griswold (Olathe, Kan.), Carsyn Osterman (Fr, Baraga, Mich), Katie Sukanen (Neenah), Liz Oswald (Watertown), Wyniah Mintz (Glendive, Mont) and Keysha Hazelton (Eau Claire) will vie for playing time in the back court.
"We have good athleticism and good diversity from this group," Thomas said. "They bring good size. Some are shooters and some will go to the rim. We are looking for a lot of punch from this group."
Thomas has seen a lot to like in his team.
"I like how they are getting down to business for the season," Thomas said. "There is good team camaraderie. They keep pushing each other to learn the game.
"I am excited to do the journey of this season."
Thomas himself is approaching a milestone for UW-Stout.
When the team tips off against the University of Dubuque at the UW-Eau Claire Tip-Off Tournament Friday, Nov. 17, Thomas will officially begin his 31st year and will become the longest tenured coach of any sport at UW-Stout, surpassing 30 years by baseball coach Terry Petrie.
Stout makes their first home appearance Sunday, Nov. 26 when they host St. Catherine University at 2 p.m.
