Storm looks forward to continued success in 2009-10
Coming off a fifth consecutive NCAA Championship berth and its seventh Iowa Conference Championship under head coach Brian Niemuth, the Simpson women's basketball team has established a tradition of success expected to continue in 2009-10.
Despite losing four seniors to graduation – including two first team all-conference performers and last year's Iowa Conference MVP – the Storm has a strong nucleus of experienced players returning this season. With a fast-paced, up-tempo style of play, Niemuth distributed playing time evenly a year ago. The 2008-09 Iowa Conference Coach of the Year had 10 players average more than 14 minutes a game, with none averaging more than 23.
"I'm excited about what we can accomplish this year," Niemuth said. "We lost a great group of seniors but have some excellent returners and transfers who are ready to battle right away. Our returners worked really hard in the off-season and we are looking forward to the challenges ahead."
Simpson was the coaches' pick to win the Iowa Conference, receiving six of nine first-place votes. The Storm is ranked No. 25 in the preseason WBCA poll and received votes in the D3hoops.com preseason poll.
Backcourt
Simpson's lone returning all-conference performer from last season is junior guard Amy Hamilton (5-7, Ames, Iowa/Ames), a Second Team All-IIAC selection. As a sophomore, Hamilton led the nation in three-point shooting percentage, connecting on 70-of-141 from beyond the arc (49.6 percent). Hamilton is the team's top returning scorer, averaging 10.4 points per game a year ago.
Hamilton's running mate in the back-court, senior Katie Kitzman (5-7, Gilman, Iowa/East Marshall) adds another long distance threat for the Storm. Last season, Kitzman was second on the team in three-point shooting, hitting 45-of-112 attempts (40.2 percent). Together, Hamilton and Kitzman were a big reason the Storm ranked seventh in the nation in three-point shooting percentage (38.6), tops in the Iowa Conference. In addition to her touch from long distance, Kitzman proved to be a stalwart on the defensive end of the courts as well, snatching 52 steals in 2008-09, second on the team to departed senior, Whitney Franker.
Fifth-year senior Emily Smith (5-8, Ogden, Iowa/Ogden) will also factor into the mix. Smith averaged 4.7 points per game a year ago and handed out 70 assists, the most of any returning player.
Simpson has two solid options at the point in veterans Alicia Fischer (Sr., 5-4, Minden, Iowa/Tri-Center) and Katie Inghram (Jr., 5-6, Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson). Fischer saw action in 18 contests last season, splitting time with graduated senior Laura Montague and Inghram. Inghram appeared in all 28 games, starting three. She handed out 42 assists and averaged 3.5 points per game.
A trio of newcomers will also vie for time in the backcourt. Freshman Kelsie Reeves (Fr., 5-5, Des Moines, Iowa/Lincoln), transfer Mindy Hutchcroft (Jr., 5-9, Steamboat Rock, Iowa/AGWSR) and Darrina Bledsoe (Jr., 5-5, Glendale, Ariz./West View) will all see time in the rotation. Reeves averaged 16 points per game her senior season, going 44-of-96 from beyond the arc (45.8 percent). Hutchcroft comes to Simpson from Division II Truman State, where she spent two seasons with the Bulldogs, appearing in 29 games and scoring 51 points. Bledsoe spent last season as a student coach for the Storm.
Frontcourt
With the graduation of Iowa Conference MVP Carrie Larson, first team all-conference selection Maria Oliver and key reserves Jayna Fischbach and Brenna Abel, the Storm will have a different look down low in the 2009-10 season. Despite those key departures, the Storm feature a number of returners who will have opportunities to step into pivotal roles. Junior Jeni Hegstrom is the most experienced returner, followed by sophomores Jessica Fraser, Jenny McElree, Stacey Schutjer and Ali Sokol.
Schutjer (6-2, Titonka, Iowa/WCLT) possesses the most game-experience of the returners, appearing in 28 games and starting six a year ago. As a freshman, she was sixth on the team in scoring (7.2 ppg) and fifth in rebounding (4.8 rpg). McElree (6-1, Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) averaged 1.8 points per game in 15 contests, Sokol (6-0, Urbandale, Iowa/Urbandale) took the floor 10 times and Hegstrom (5-11, Perry, Iowa/Perry) saw action in four games. Fraser (6-0, Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk) didn't appear in a varsity contest but will see a magnified role in the upcoming season.
Schedule
Outside of the 16-game conference slate, Simpson will take part in three tournaments this season. The Storm opens with a trip to Naperville, Ill. for the North Central Tournament before hosting the first annual Simpson College Classic. Over the holiday break, Simpson makes a trip to San Diego, Calif. for the 2009 Surf 'N Slam Division III/Small College Hoop Classic. The tournament field in San Diego includes host Pt. Loma Nazarene (Calif.), Bridgewater St. (Mass.), Capitol (Ohio) and Framingham State. Simpson opens the tournament against Washington & Lee.
