By James Kay
It is that time of year again.
The Hawkeye women’s basketball team begins its quest to get back to the NCAA Tournament when they take on Lewis on Nov. 6 to start the preseason.
Last season, the Hawkeyes went 19-14, which for most teams would be a success. For Iowa, anything less than a chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament is viewed as a failure. The Hawkeyes didn’t make the tournament for the first time in eight years last season.
This is a different team, however, and the players seek to start a new chapter this season. They have begun that process by adding on to their already youthful squad.
“You would think that with four starters returning that we would have a real veteran team. The strange thing is we are still pretty darn young,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said. “The difference between this year and last year is that our youth has gotten some good playing experience. I think that is going to reap us some good benefits this year.”
Bluder welcomes five freshmen in Mackenzie Meyer, Kathleen Doyle, Alexis Sevillian, Amanda Ollinger, and Bre Cera. Out of those five, Meyer and Doyle are most likely to get significant minutes this season.
With that in mind, Bluder has yet to set her starting lineup. The projected starters include senior Ally Disterhoft, sophomore Tania Davis, sophomore Megan Gustafson, and junior Chase Coley. There is speculation that Doyle and Meyer could fill in that final spot heading into the regular season.
Bluder, however, has yet to commit to a starting lineup and wants to see what pieces fit on Nov. 6.
“With our team, we’re kind of going to evolve all year in finding those best pieces, because we have so many to work with,” Bluder said. “When you don’t have as many to work with, it really is easy, right? Just put in what you have.”
Doyle, who was named last year’s Ms. Basketball in Illinois, believes the team’s workouts this past summer have helped her get ready for the beginning of the season and her Iowa career.
“I feel great, and I’m excited to go out and contribute in any way I can,” she said. “Our strength and conditioning coach really got all of [the freshmen] ready over the summer. It’s been a grind, but it’s also been a lot of fun.”
While there is a lot of hype surrounding the Hawkeyes’ youth, Disterhoft will be the team’s go-to option. She was named to the preseason All-Big Ten team on Oct. 24 and understands what she needs to do to help develop this team.
“It’s nice to have one year as captain under my belt, and I know the other seniors are ready to step up as well,” Disterhoft said. “Being a leader has always been in my personality, even in my first two years here. It was just in a different capacity. That will help me this year to get things done.”
The Hawkeyes preseason exhibition matchup will begin at 2 p.m. on Nov. 6 in Carver-Hawkeye.