Kicking it up a notchTough 'D,' quick play keeps talented juniors improving

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Three years ago, the Martin Luther College women's basketball program not only welcomed a new head coach in Gene Pfeifer, but with him came a talented freshman class that has shown signs of getting to the next level each year.

This year, the Knights believe that it could be their year to put MLC on the basketball map as eight letter winners and four starters return. The goal is not to just improve from last year -- the goal is to win the conference and host the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference tournament in late February.

"I think the group of girls we have this year -- there are several good leaders on the team who just naturally are hard workers -- so, there is definitely an excitement about this season, but I think its just they're excited to get to play together and to go out and see what they can do," Pfeifer said.

The MLC women's team is picked as the UMAC preseason favorites for the upcoming 2003-04 basketball season for the first time in Pfeifer's three-year tenure.

Pfeifer said he and his coaching staff knew it was only a matter of time that the talented freshman class a few years ago would emerge as leaders and bond into one of the UMAC's tougher teams.

"I think we fully anticipated that we could be very competitive even last year," Pfeifer said. "There were a couple of conference teams that we hadn't beaten in a long time that we did beat last year. I think we thought that we could do it and we weren't shocked, but we were certainly excited and motivated for this year to do that."

One of the many talented juniors is point guard Bethany Bauer, who led the team in steals with 62 and assists with 130. She averaged 7.9 points per contest and leads a team that was 14-11 a year ago.

"We're really excited about it," Bauer said. "The conference has never put us at No. 1. I guess I'm excited about it."

Bauer said she is more comfortable with the offense now and added that Pfeifer is willing to listen to any suggestions and answer any questions any time at practice.

"He always teaches us something, and if we're confused about it, we'll just ask," Bauer said.

Playing point guard, a spot that requires leadership for success, Bauer considers herself a natural for the position and considers herself very vocal.

"I'm the point guard, so I gotta call out the plays and tell everybody what defense or offense we're in, so I'd definitely be vocal."

Bauer, who is the defensive specialist on the volleyball team, can also be seen as the defensive leader on the basketball hardwood. She feels it's one of her strengths and she enjoys creating problems in the opposing team's backcourt.

"Defense is the most important part of the game and the offense will always come into that," Bauer said. "We gotta take pride in our defense first."

"She's led our team in steals and assists, but on the defensive side, I think she's real quick," Pfeifer said. "She understands how to play defense. She anticipates well. Plays good help defense, so when you put all those things together, there's just some good stuff."

The Knights feature an up-tempo style of play that features an athletic backcourt led by Bauer and sophomore Emma Babinec. Babinec led the team with 12.4 points per game last year and she finished with 41 steals.

Erin Czer, a junior guard/small forward who played at Minnesota Valley Lutheran, also gives the Knights some athleticism and is an excellent shooter from outside. Czer averaged 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds. She also had 26 steals a year ago.

Also among the starting five for MLC will be junior Crystal Mielke, who should play at the four-spot. She scored 4.1 points per game and grabbed 4.7 rebounds.

Sarah Gronholz, another member of the talented junior class, led the team in rebounds with 7.6 and she finished second with 9.9 points per game.

Rounding out the junior class are Marie Christie, Dania Koepke, and Beth Ebeling. All three figure to be top subs and key contributors this season. All three also may see time as spot-starters if needed.

"We had seven or eight juniors, so that's a pretty big number," Bauer said. "We only lost two seniors from last year, so I think that having a big upper class -- our class is really close -- so we really want to win together."

New to the team this year are freshman Karleen Martin, sophomore Carly Belz, freshman Sarah Seelow, and freshman Amanda Schaffer.

The Knights, like the men's team, face a tough nonconference schedule, so they may appear to struggle early if the win total isn't high. But Pfeifer believes it will only make his team better and more prepared for the conference race.

Should the Knights live up to the preseason expectations, they will aim for the one thing that would make the hard work pay off -- having the conference tournament right on their home floor.

"That would be great," Bauer said. "That's what obviously our team's goal [is] to do that, but we haven't played anybody yet. We have a tough preseason, so I think that will get us ready for the conference."

MLC begins play in the Dakota State Tournament Friday. The Knights play at 8 p.m. against Dakota State Friday, and will either Mount Mercy or UW-Superior Saturday.