With a wealth of talent battling for starting positions and playing time, seventh-year head coach Lindsey Vande Hoef is looking for the 2021-2022 version of Reiver women's basketball to make a run at both the ICCAC championship and Region 11 championship this season.
The team will be unfamiliar with 13 newcomers but not short on depth with 15 players when they hit the hardwood for the first time Wednesday, Nov 10th versus North Dakota State College of Science. The Reivers having been picked 2nd out of 11th in the ICCAC Preseason Polls and 11th overall in NJCAA DII national rankings. Please click here to read the full article. https://iccac.org/sports/wbkb/2021-22/releases/20211029hibo5h
The Reivers finished the 2021 season ranked #25 in NJCAA DI Polls with a record of 22-3. Coach Vande guided her team to their 1st appearance to the NJCAA DI National Tournament since 2017 and saw four players transferring to NCAA D1 level and three to NCAA D2 level. The Reivers essentially have a brand-new squad with only three returners from last year's squad. Ruba Abo Hashesh will lead the way as their returning floor general. Abo Hashesh gained valuable experience as a freshmen last season playing in 21 games and lead the team in 3.3 assists per game. She also averaged 6.5 points per game, and shot 31% from 3pt field goal line. Also returning for the Reivers is Desislava Kantardzhieva and Ariyah Brooks. Brooks suffered an early season injury during the month of October and unfortunately will not be able to return this season for participation.
Coach Vande has confidence in the very talented and athletic collection on this year's squad. "We have been able to bring in a few transfers this season," Vande continues "which always helps with the experience and maturity for a junior college level team."
"I think this preseason was really good for us", said Vande Hoef. "I feel like we have really grown a lot on and off the court as a team. I think this will help us this season. I look for us to compete even harder this season as a team. We feel as if we have some unfinished business to attend to."
IWCC Women's Basketball begins its season with a uphill battle- playing its first 3-of-4 games on the road. The Reivers also face tough competition early this season with five of its ten non-conference opponents NJCAA DI programs and three in the top 25 national rankings for NJCAA DI & DII women's Basketball Preseason Poll.
"The team is excited to get started and move forward", noted Vande Hoef. "I am really excited about this team and our chemistry with us being so new to one another. Our team goal as coaches is never easy when it comes to keeping everyone happy, but this year's bunch is special. They truly want to see each other succeed and are willing to do whatever it takes for each other to reach those goals."
The Reivers will have home opener Wednesday, Nov 10 tip – off (6 p.m.) against North Dakota State College of Science at Reiver Arena.
