2007-08 WIAC Women's Basketball Headlines

2007-08 WIAC Women's Basketball Headlines

UW-Eau Claire Receives WBCA Academic Award

RELEASED: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has been named to the 2007-08 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division III Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll.

The Blugolds finished 12th among NCAA Division III institutions with a team grade point average of 3.436 during the year.

Grade point averages are calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by each student-athlete on an institution's roster in the given academic terms by the total number of hours earned by the team. The GPAs are rounded to the nearest thousandth of a point. Per a motion passed by the WBCA Board of Directors in 2007, teams making the list of Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll must obtain at least a 3.000 overall GPA.

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UW-Whitewater’s Morton Named D3hoops.com All-American; Seven Earn All-Region Recognition

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Tiffany Morton has been named to the 2008 D3hoops.com All-America Fourth Team and was one of seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals who claimed All-Central Region status.

Morton, a junior forward from Beloit, Wis. (Memorial H.S.), claimed All-WIAC first team honors this season after leading UW-Whitewater with 14.9 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per contest, a .545 field goal percentage (198-363) and 33 blocked shots. She topped the team in rebounding in 21 games and in scoring in 16 contests, while registering a conference-leading 12 double-doubles (points-rebounds).

Morton is the second individual in program history to claim All-America status from D3hoops.com, joining Vanessa Rieder who was a third team choice in 2000.

UW-Oshkosh’s Whitney Tyriver (Sr., Oshkosh, Wis./West) was an all-region first team selection. Joining Morton on the second team were UW-Eau Claire’s Michelle Burns (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis./North), UW-Platteville’s Lisa Wubben (Sr., Kieler, Wis./Southwestern), UW-Stevens Point’s Haley Houghton (Sr., Wausau, Wis./East) and UW-Stout’s Julia Hirssig (So., Rochester, Minn./Mayo). UW-Whitewater’s Kelsey Hendrickson (So., Monroe, Wis.) was a third team pick.

The All-Central Region Team included individuals representing the WIAC, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Midwest Conference, Northern Athletics Conference, St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and University Athletic Association.

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UW-Eau Claire’s Burns and UW-Stevens Point’s Houghton Secure WBCA All-America Status

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Michelle Burns and UW-Stevens Point’s Haley Houghton have been named to the 2008 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/State Farm NCAA Division III All-America Honorable Mention Team.

She averaged a team-best 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest, while adding 35 assists, 24 steals and eight blocked shots during the 2008 campaign. Burns’ career numbers include 1,230 points, the eighth-highest mark in UW-Eau Claire history, and 664 rebounds, the 10th-best listing.

Burns is the sixth individual in program history to claim All-America status from the WBCA, while Houghton is the third.

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Warhawks Finish Third In NCAA Women’s Basketball

RELEASED: Saturday, March 21, 2008

Holland, Mich.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated Oglethorpe University (Ga.), 80-67, in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Third-Place Game at DeVos Fieldhouse on the campus of Hope College (Mich.) on March 22.

The Warhawks completed the season with a school-record 29 victories (29-4 record), while recording the highest finish in program history in the NCAA Division III Tournament. UW-Whitewater made its eighth appearance in the national tournament and earned a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season championship.

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UW-Whitewater Falls In NCAA Women's Basketball Semifinals

RELEASED: Friday, March 21, 2008

Holland, Mich.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lost to Howard Payne University (Texas), 69-59, in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Semifinals at DeVos Fieldhouse on the campus of Hope College (Mich.) on March 21.

The Warhawks (28-4) will participate in the national third-place game on March 22 at 3:30 p.m. (eastern) against Oglethorpe University (Ga.) (27-6).

Howard Payne (32-0) advances to the national championship contest against Messiah College (Pa.) (30-2) at 6 p.m. (eastern).

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Warhawks Dethrone Tigers To Advance To Final Four

RELEASED: Saturday, March 15, 2008

Whitewater, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater upended defending national champion DePauw University (Ind.), 83-80 in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament Sectional Finals on March 15 at Kachel Gymnasium.

The Warhawks (28-3) will make the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Final Four and face Howard Payne University (Texas) (31-0) in a national semifinal contest in Holland, Mich., on March 21.

This will mark the first Final Four showing for a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference program since UW-Stevens Point in 2004.

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UW-Whitewater Advances To Elite Eight

RELEASED: Friday, March 14, 2008

Whitewater, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament with a 96-69 triumph over Simpson College (Iowa) on March 14.

The Warhawks (27-3) will host defending national champion DePauw University (Ind.) (28-3) in the sectional finals on March 15 at 7 p.m.

UW-Whitewater also reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament in 1986.

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Two Claim WBCA All-Region Honors

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Burns, a senior forward from Eau Claire, Wis. (North H.S.), claimed the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year honor this season and earned All-WIAC first team status for the second straight year after claiming honorable mention honors in 2005.

She averaged a team-best 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest, while adding 35 assists, 24 steals and eight blocked shots during the 2008 campaign. In addition, Burns had a .470 field goal shooting percentage (162-345) and .786 free throw shooting percentage (88-112). Her career numbers include 1,230 points, the eighth-highest mark in UW-Eau Claire history, and 664 rebounds, the 10th-best listing.

Houghton, a senior guard from Wausau, Wis. (East H.S.), averaged a team-leading 12.8 points per game, while adding a WIAC-best 54 three-point field goals made and contributing 49 assists and 35 steals. She had a .852 free throw shooting percentage (75-88), .400 three-point field goal percentage (54-135) and .435 field goal shooting percentage (117-269). Her 121 career three-point field goals rank third on UW-Stevens Point’s all-time chart.

Burns and Houghton are eligible for selection to the 10-member State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team.

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UW-Whitewater To Host NCAA Women’s Basketball Sectional

RELEASED: Monday, March 10, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been selected as one of four national sites to host a NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament Sectional on March 14-15.

The Warhawks (26-3) will host Amherst College (Mass.) (27-2), DePauw University (Ind.) (26-3), and Simpson College (Iowa) (27-2).

DePauw and Amherst will start the festivities with a semifinal matchup on March 14 at 6 p.m., while UW-Whitewater and Simpson are set to tip off at approximately 8 p.m.

The winners of Friday’s games will meet in the sectional finals on March 15 at 7 p.m., with the victor advancing to the national semifinals and finals on March 21-22 in Holland, Mich.

Tickets for the sectional tournament will be available for advance purchase at the UW-Whitewater ticket office in the University Center. Ticket office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket counter at Williams Center will open at 4:30 p.m. Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $4 for students (college students with a valid school ID and younger) and $7 for adult general admission. There are no reserved seats, but visitors are invited to request seating in their team's section. The ticket office can be reached at 262-472-2222, and phone orders are accepted.

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Warhawks Advance, Blugolds Fall In NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament

RELEASED: Saturday, March 8, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater advanced to the sectional semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament, while UW-Eau Claire was eliminated in games played on March 8.

The Warhawks (26-3) rolled to an 87-63 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill. UW-Whitewater will face Simpson College (Iowa) (27-2) in a sectional semifinal matchup on March 14.

The Warhawks and Storm will be joined in the sectional by Amherst College (Mass.) (27-2) and DePauw University (Ind.) (27-3) at a location to be determined.

Simpson handed the Blugolds a 70-63 second round loss in Indianola, Iowa. UW-Eau Claire finished the 2008 season with a 23-7 record and made the school’s 14th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

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Blugolds and Warhawks Advance In NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament

RELEASED: Friday, March 7, 2008

Madison,Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament with victories on March 7, while UW-Stevens Point came up short in its attempt to move on.

UW-Eau Claire (23-6) claimed a 61-52 victory over Carleton College (Minn.) in Indianola, Iowa. The Blugolds will face host institution Simpson College (Iowa) (26-2) in the second round.

UW-Whitewater (25-3) cruised to a 77-60 triumph over Manchester College (Ind.) in Bloomington, Ill. The Warhawks will play at host school Illinois Wesleyan University (26-2) in a second round matchup.

Both second round meetings will take place on March 8 at 7 p.m.

UW-Stevens Point was upended by a 71-57 margin to St. Norbert College in Stevens Point. The Pointers finished the season with a 24-5 record and were making the fifth NCAA appearance in program history.

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UW-Eau Claire’s Burns Leads All-WIAC Women’s Basketball Selections; UW-Stevens Point’s Egner Named Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Thursday, March 6, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Michelle Burns was voted the Player of the Year to lead the 11 individuals selected to the 2008 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Basketball Team by the league coaches, while UW-Stevens Point head coach Shirley Egner was selected the Coach of the Year.

Burns, a senior forward, helped the Blugolds to a share of the WIAC regular-season championship and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. She ranks third in the conference with 30.96 minutes per game, fifth with 14.5 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per contest, seventh with a .787 free throw percentage and eighth with a .478 field goal percentage. This marks the second straight year Burns has been named to the first team after earning honorable mention status in 2005. She was also a member of the league’s all-defensive team a year ago.

Burns has reached double figures in scoring in 23 games this year, including surpassing the 20-point mark on six occasions with a season-high 27 points against UW-Stout on Feb. 28. She has led the Blugolds in scoring in 10 contests and had and a conference season-best 12 free throws made against UW-River Falls on Jan. 19. Burns’ career numbers include 1,208 points, the eighth-highest mark in UW-Eau Claire history, and 656 rebounds, the 10th-best listing.

Burns is the sixth Blugold to claim the player of the year honor, joining Arlene Meinholz (1995), Erika Schmidt (1997), Jayme Anderson (2000), Vanessa Schley (2001) and Kristi Channing (2003).

Repeat selections on the first team included: UW-Eau Claire’s Heidi Arciszewski, UW-La Crosse’s Mackenzie Hunter, UW-Oshkosh’s Whitney Tyriver and UW-Stevens Point’s Laura Neuenfeldt.

Arciszewski, a junior guard, was a first team selection a year ago after securing honorable mention accolades in 2006. She places fourth in the league with 29.39 minutes per game, fifth with 78 assists, seventh with 13.4 points per game and a .500 field goal percentage and 10th with a .781 free throw percentage. Arciszewski ranks 16th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 982 points.

Hunter, a junior forward, was a first team pick in 2006 and earned honorable mention recognition last season. She is third in the WIAC with 14.9 points per game, fourth with a .849 free throw percentage and ninth with 27.77 minutes per game. Hunter ranks first in school history with a .837 career free throw percentage (164-196) and is 15th with 991 career points.

Tyriver, a senior guard, claimed first team recognition for the second straight year after leading the league with 32.27 minutes per game, while placing fourth with 14.7 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game, seventh with 50 steals and 13 blocked shots, eighth with a .787 free throw percentage and 10th with a .349 three-point field goal percentage. Her career numbers include 1,047 points, the 16th-highest total in UW-Oshkosh history, 489 rebounds and 157 steals.

Neuenfeldt, a senior guard, was a first team selection for the second consecutive season. She ranks sixth in the association with 42 three-point field goals made and a .378 three-point field goal percentage, ninth with 65 assists and 17th with 9.4 points per game. Neuenfeldt places 19th on UW-Stevens Point’s all-time scoring list with 949 points.

Additional first team selections were: UW-La Crosse’s Lindsay Wahl, UW-Platteville’s Lisa Wubben, UW-Stevens Point’s Haley Houghton, UW-Stout’s Julia Hirssig and UW-Whitewater’s Kelsey Hendrickson and Tiffany Morton.

Individuals securing honorable mention status consisted of: UW-Eau Claire’s Heather Witt, UW-River Falls’ Caitlin Hunstock, UW-Stevens Point’s Chelsea Kranz, UW-Stout’s Charlee Edwards and UW-Whitewater’s Lindsey Buechner.

The league coaches also selected a five-member all-defensive team for the 2008 season. UW-Stevens Point’s Katie Webber was joined by Hirssig, Tyriver, Witt and Wubben on the squad.

UW-Stevens Point head coach Shirley Egner was voted the Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. She directed the Pointers to the WIAC Tournament title and double-digits in WIAC victories for eighth straight season. Egner is in her 19th year at UW-Stevens Point and ranks second on the conference’s all-time list with 332 victories (332-163), including a 186-117 mark in league contests. She also won the coaching prize in 2004.

Named to the inaugural All-Sportsmanship Team were: UW-Eau Claire’s Amanda Zenner, UW-La Crosse’s Mandy Stevens, UW-Oshkosh’s Whitney Tyriver, UW-Platteville’s Brianna Klaas, UW-River Falls’ Caitlin Hunstock, UW-Stevens Point’s Megan Pehler, UW-Stout’s Joanna Bird, UW-Superior’s Joelle Noeldner and UW-Whitewater’s Shannon Moore. The team was selected for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each school as selected by that school.

2008 All-WIAC Women’s Basketball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Heidi Arciszewski, Eau Claire, Junior, Guard, 5-9, Thorp
Michelle Burns, Eau Claire, Senior, Forward, 5-11, Eau Claire (North)
Kelsey Hendrickson, Whitewater, Sophomore, Guard, 5-7, Monroe
Julia Hirssig, Stout, Sophomore, Forward, 5-11, Rochester, Minn. (Mayo)
Haley Houghton, Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, 5-11, Wausau (East)
Mackenzie Hunter, La Crosse, Junior, Forward, 6-0, Eau Claire (Regis)
Tiffany Morton, Whitewater, Junior, Center, 6-0, Beloit (Memorial)
Laura Neuenfeldt, Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, 5-11, Two Rivers
Whitney Tyriver, Oshkosh, Senior, Guard, 6-0, Oshkosh (West)
Lindsay Wahl, La Crosse, Junior, Forward/Center, 6-1, Burnsville, Minn.
Lisa Wubben, Platteville, Senior, Guard, 5-6, Kieler (Southwestern)

Honorable Mention
Lindsey Buechner, Whitewater, Senior, Center, 5-11, Cross Plains (Middleton)
Charlee Edwards, Stout, Junior, Guard, 5-9, Danbury (Webster)
Caitlin Hunstock, River Falls, Senior, Forward, 5-10, Minneapolis, Minn. (South)
Chelsea Kranz, Stevens Point, Senior, Forward, 6-0, Columbus
Heather Witt, Eau Claire, Junior, Guard, 5-7, Kendall (Royall)

All-Defensive Team
Julia Hirssig, Stout, Sophomore, Forward, 5-11, Rochester, Minn. (Mayo)
Whitney Tyriver, Oshkosh, Senior, Guard, 6-0, Oshkosh (West)
Katie Webber, Stevens Point, Junior, Guard, 5-9, Reedsburg
Heather Witt, Eau Claire, Junior, Guard, 5-7, Kendall (Royall)
Lisa Wubben, Platteville, Senior, Guard, 5-6, Kieler (Southwestern)

All-Sportsmanship Team
Joanna Bird, Stout, Senior, Guard, 5-5, Boyceville
Caitlin Hunstock, River Falls, Senior, Forward, 5-10, Minneapolis, Minn. (South)
Brianna Klaas, Platteville, Sophomore, Guard, 5-7, Lancaster
Shannon Moore, Whitewater, Senior, Guard, 5-7, Milwaukee (West Allis Hale)
Joelle Noeldner, Superior, Freshman, Guard, 5-4, Eau Claire (Immanuel Lutheran)
Megan Pehler, Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, 5-9, Oregon
Mandy Stevens, La Crosse, Senior, Guard/Forward, 5-10, Hartland (Arrowhead)
Whitney Tyriver, Oshkosh, Senior, Guard, 6-0, Oshkosh (West)
Amanda Zenner, Eau Claire, Senior, Guard, 5-9, Medford

Player of the Year: Michelle Burns of Eau Claire
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Michelle Burns of Eau Claire
Coach of the Year: Shirley Egner of Stevens Point

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UW-Eau Claire’s Burns Named Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Thursday, March 6, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Michelle Burns has been named the 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete.

Burns, a senior from Eau Claire, Wis. (North H.S.), boasts a 3.80 grade point average and is majoring in elementary education with a minor in mathematics. She was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five Women’s Basketball Second Team this year. Burns is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-Eau Claire’s Dean’s List and received Academic Distinction from her institution.

Selected as the conference’s Player of the Year this season, she is a two-time All-WIAC first team selection and secured honorable mention status in 2005. Burns was also named to the league’s all-defensive team a season ago. She ranks eighth on the school’s all-time list with 1,208 points and 10th with 656 rebounds.

Burns has served as a volunteer with Special Olympics, Humane Shelter, Community Table, Blugold Buddies and youth basketball. In addition, she has spoke at Kiwanis and Rotary Club meetings.

Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire’s Kalista Houselog (Sr., Neenah, Wis./St. Mary Central), Rachel Mueggenborg (Sr., West Salem, Wis.) and Amanda Zenner (Sr., Medford, Wis.), UW-La Crosse’s Ashley Wagner (Sr., Slinger, Wis.), UW-Oshkosh’s Whitney Tyriver (Sr., Oshkosh, Wis./West), UW-Stevens Point’s Chelsea Kranz (Sr., Columbus, Wis.), UW-Stout’s Joanna Bird (Sr., Boyceville, Wis.), UW-Superior’s Ashley Laidley (Sr., Grand Forks, N.D.) and UW-Whitewater’s Lindsey Buechner (Sr., Cross Plains, Wis./Middleton) and Trisha Thill (Sr., Belgium, Wis./Ozaukee).

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman and sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. Kruckman served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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Three Teams Claim NCAA Women’s Basketball Bids

RELEASED: Monday, March 3, 2008

Madison, Wis.--For the first time since 1997, three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s basketball teams will participate in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater will represent the conference in the 63-team field and participate in first and second round games on March 7-8. The Pointers earned an automatic bid into the tournament by winning the WIAC Tournament title, while the Blugolds and Warhawks earned two of 21 at-large spots.

During the 1997 season, the Blugolds were joined by UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stout in the national post-season event. All three teams advanced to the second round.

UW-Eau Claire (22-6) is making the 14th NCAA appearance in program history and first since the 2003 season. The Blugolds will travel to Simpson College (Iowa), along with Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) and Carleton College (Minn.) for first and second round matchups. UW-Eau Claire was the national runner-up in 1997 and logged third-place finishes in 1994 and 2003.

UW-Stevens Point (24-4) is appearing in the national event for the fifth time in school history and first since 2004. The Pointers will host St. Norbert College, University of Chicago (Ill.) and St. Thomas (Minn.) in the opening rounds. UW-Stevens Point won national championships in 1987 and 2002, while placing fourth in 2004.

UW-Whitewater (24-3) is making the eighth NCAA appearance and first since 1995. The Warhawks will travel to Illinois Wesleyan University, along with Maryville University (Mo.) and Manchester College (Ind.) for first and second round competition.

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UW-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater Share Women’s Basketball Crown

RELEASED: Saturday, February 23, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater claimed a share of the 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s basketball championship with victories on Feb. 23.

Both teams completed the regular season with a 14-2 record against WIAC adversaries after the Blugolds defeated UW-Stout, 77-74, at Zorn Arena, while the Warhawks handled UW-River Falls, 82-38, in Kachel Gymnasium.

This marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that the conference championship has been split. UW-Eau Claire claimed the ninth title in school history and first since 2003. The conference trophy for the Warhawks is the fourth in program history and first since the 1986 campaign.

UW-Eau Claire also earned the top seed for the WIAC Tournament, which begins on Feb. 26. The Blugolds won a coin toss (the final tiebreaker in the five-step criteria) and will host eighth-seeded UW-River Falls in the quarterfinals, while second-seeded UW-Whitewater will host seventh-seeded UW-Platteville. Other quarterfinal matchups include fifth-seeded UW-La Crosse at fourth-seeded UW-Stout and sixth-seeded UW-Oshkosh at third-seeded UW-Stevens Point.

The winner of the conference tournament earns the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

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Heeren Earns 100th Victory At UW-La Crosse

RELEASED: Monday, February 18, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women’s basketball head coach Lois Heeren earned her 100th victory with the program in the Eagles’ 60-57 triumph over UW-Stout on Feb. 16 at Mitchell Hall.

Heeren is in her ninth season at UW-La Crosse and has compiled a 100-128 record. Her 100 wins are the most in program history and rank 14th on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference all-time list.

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Three Capture Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Recognition

RELEASED: Monday, February 11, 2008

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2008 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women’s Basketball Team.

UW-Stevens Point’s Chelsea Kranz was a first team selection, while UW-Eau Claire’s Michelle Burns was a second team choice. UW-Oshkosh’s Whitney Tyriver claimed third team status.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Kranz, a senior from Columbus, Wis., is majoring in biology (pre-med) and boasts a 3.95 grade point average. She is now eligible for the national ballot, which will be announced on February 26.

Burns, a senior from Eau Claire, Wis. (North H.S.), is an elementary education major with a 3.80 grade point average, while Tyriver, a senior from Oshkosh, Wis. (West H.S.), carries a 3.57 grade point average and is majoring in elementary education.

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UW-River Falls’ Hovet Earns 100th Career Victory

RELEASED: Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-River Falls women’s basketball head coach Cindy Hovet earned her 100th career victory in the Falcons’ 67-54 triumph over Martin Luther College (Minn.) on Dec. 11 in New Ulm, Minn.

Hovet is in her eighth season in charge of the Falcons and has compiled a 100-89 record (.529 winning percentage). Her 100 wins rank fourth among active Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches and are second on the UW-River Falls all-time list.

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UW-Eau Claire Tabbed For First In Women’s Basketball Race

RELEASED: Thursday, November 1, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is the preseason favorite of the league’s sports information directors to win the 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s basketball crown.

The Blugolds received five first-place votes in the conference poll and have won eight league titles with the most recent during the 2002-03 season. The 2006-07 club went unbeaten in Zorn Arena and extended the program’s home winning streak to 17 contests. Returning are five starters that accounted for 1,169 of 1,725 points scored, 648 of 992 rebounds and 3,827 of 5,625 minutes played. UW-Eau Claire has logged a 188-42 record against league opponents in the last 10 years.

UW-Whitewater claimed two first-place votes in the WIAC predictions and is slotted to finish second. The Warhawks won the conference championship in 1986 and return all five starters from last year’s squad that posted the most overall wins (19) since the 1994-95 campaign (20) and highest WIAC victory total (12) since 1998-99 (12). UW-Whitewater also earned the highest WIAC tournament seed (No. 2) in program history a year ago. Returning are 1,726 of 1,767 points scored, 936 of 983 rebounds and 311 of 331 assists.

UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout each captured one first-place vote in the league poll with the Pointers being pegged for third place and the Blue Devils slotted to finish fourth in the WIAC ledger.

The Pointers claimed back-to-back WIAC championships in 2004 and 2005 and won the NCAA Division III title in 2002. UW-Stevens Point returns 87.8 percent of its scoring from last year’s squad that ranked ninth in NCAA Division III three-point field goal percentage at 36.6 percent and 10th in field goal percentage at 45.3 percent. Last season’s victory total snapped a streak of six straight 20-win seasons for the program.

UW-Stout, the three-time defending regular-season and conference tournament champion, has six returners that played in all 29 games a year ago. The Blue Devils begin this season playing three NCAA Division II institutions in their first five games (Mankato, St. Cloud State, Bemidji State). Head coach Mark Thomas is the longest tenured coach in league history, beginning his 21st season with a conference-best 355 victories. Gone from last year’s team is two-time WIAC player of the year Kelsey Duoss.

UW-La Crosse boasted a 10-3 record at home a year ago and plays five of its final eight games at Mitchell Hall this season. The Eagles have started 3-0 in WIAC contests for two straight years. Junior Mackenzie Hunter is the first individual in school history to earn all-conference honors in consecutive seasons since Jessica Edwards (1996 and 1997).

UW-River Falls plays four of its first five games on the road, including three straight to start the season. The Falcons lost their top seven scorers from last year’s club that became just the second No. 5 seed to beat a No. 4 seed in the WIAC tournament with their win at UW-Stevens Point. Head coach Cindy Hovet is three wins shy of 100 in her career and become just the second coach in school history to reach the milestone.

UW-Oshkosh enters the 2007-08 season attempting to snap a school-record eight-game losing streak and has won 27 of their last 33 season openers. The Titans return just 523 of their 1,354 points scored, 227 of their 755 rebounds collected and 1,656 of their 4,800 minutes played a year ago. UW-Oshkosh has finished third-place or higher in the WIAC standings 17 times in the last 18 years and has recorded a minimum of 19 victories in 13 of the last 14 seasons.

UW-Platteville will not have a senior and will have just three juniors on this year’s roster. The Pioneers return six players who have scored at least 15 points in a game with juniors Lisa Wubben and Lisa Grantman and sophomore Brianna Klaas each scoring at least 23 once.

UW-Superior’s eight wins last season were the most since the 2003-04 squad had 10 victories. The Yellowjackets lost four games a year ago by nine points or less. UW-Superior opens the 2007-08 campaign with eight of their first 10 games away from home, including six straight to being the year.

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2007-08 Preseason Picks (Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors)
                                                2006-07 Record
1. UW-Eau Claire (5)            19-9, 11-5
2. UW-Whitewater (2)         19-7, 12-4
3. UW-Stevens Point (1)     18-7, 10-6
4. UW-Stout (1)                    23-6, 13-3
5. UW-La Crosse                  13-13, 7-9
6. UW-River Falls                 16-11, 9-7
7. UW-Oshkosh                   8-16, 4-12
8. UW-Platteville                  11-16, 4-12
9. UW-Superior                    8-17, 2-14

( )--First-Place Votes

Team Vitals

UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Tonja Englund; 8th season; 143-54 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0
Returning All-WIAC: Heidi Arciszewski, Jr., G (2005-Honorable, 2007-First); Michelle Burns, Sr., F (2005-Honorable, 2007-First & All-Def.)

UW-La Crosse
Head Coach: Lois Heeren; 15th season (9th at UW-La Crosse); 138-220 overall / 86-118 at UWL
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/8
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Returning All-WIAC: Mackenzie Hunter, Jr., F (2006-First, 2007-Honorable)

UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach: Terri Schumacher; 3rd season; 27-24 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 4/9
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Returning All-WIAC: Whitney Tyriver, Sr., G (2007-First)

UW-Platteville
Head Coach: Tina Kuhle; 10th season (4th at UW-Platteville); 118-103 overall / 34-44 at UWP
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Returning All-WIAC: None

UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Cindy Hovet; 8th season; 97-84 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/10
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
Returning All-WIAC: None

UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Shirley Egner; 19th season; 308-159 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/2
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Returning All-WIAC: Laura Neuenfeldt, Sr., G (2007-First); Chelsea Kranz, Sr., F (2007-Honorable)

UW-Stout
Head Coach: Mark Thomas; 21st season; 355-180 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Returning All-WIAC: None

UW-Superior
Head Coach: Donald Mulhern; 11th season (2nd at UW-Superior); 136-122 overall / 8-17 at UWS
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 4/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Returning All-WIAC: None

UW-Whitewater
Head Coach: Keri Carollo; 6th season; 65-64 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 15/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0
Returning All-WIAC: Lindsey Buechner, Sr., C (2007-First); Trisha Thill, Sr., G (2007-Honorable & All-Def.)

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