It's that time of year. Tipoff comes Nov. 20. Here's the preseason skinny on Division III Basketball.

Wheaton Looking for Fourth Straight NCAA Bid
Wheaton has several formidable challenges to overcome, but coach Beth Baker feels confident with the return of 7 of her top 9 players from last season. Wheaton (19-7) placed second in the CCIW and earned its third consecutive NCAA tournament berth. The Crusaders are picked second by the CCIW coaches, with defending champion Millikin receiving 6 of the 8 first-place votes.

Wheaton faces its rough early-season schedule (three tournaments before Christmas) with some health concerns, another challenge. "These back-to-back tournaments are tough for us," says Baker. "We'll be fine if we can weather the storm in the first six weeks."

Three of Wheaton's bench personnel are getting late starts due to the success of Wheaton's women's soccer which made it to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season -- reserves Katie Hawkins, Kate Elsen, and Annie Bell are two weeks behind in learning. Sophomore forward Hannah Bucken missed the preseason conditioning and began practice in November after foot surgery.

Baker returns four starters and has recruited a top-notch point guard, freshman Stacie Clark, which should help take some of the playmaking load off senior three-time All-CCIW guard Kerry Cole, who returns after suffering a season-ending knee injury late in her junior year. With Clark's arrival, Cole may play more of a scoring role. She averaged 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game and made 13 three-pointers. Clark set her high school's record for three-point field goals and won Mississippi's state three-point contest.

Junior center Jenna Will, who made the All-CCIW second team last season after averaging 10.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, and junior forward Heather Pancake, who made two All-Tournament teams and averaged 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds, give Wheaton perhaps the strongest rebounding duo in the conference. Pancake is also a two-time track All-American in the heptathlon, placing second at the 1998 national championships. Sophomore shooting guard Rachel Horgen earned All-CCIW honorable mention honors as a freshman, averaging 11.2 points and making 59 three-pointers. Sophomore Amie Karkainen creates match-up problems with her height. She provided Wheaton instant offense off the bench, averaging 6.1 points in 15 minutes per game.

Oshkosh Ready to Make Another Run
Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s expectations for the upcoming season run high thanks to the return of four starters from a team that finished 26-2 record (16-0 WIAC) and lost 53-45 to eventual national champion Washington U. (Mo.) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

The optimistic outlook is keyed by the return of senior forwards Rachel Lachecki and Kelly Warnke, a pair of All-WIAC first team selections a year ago. Last season, Lachecki averaged 13.2 points and a team-leading 8.3 rebounds per game, while Warnke averaged 12.9 points and 7.0 rebounds. Lachecki made 61.7% (148-240) of her field goal attempts to rank third in Division III, while Warnke made 58.8% (161-274) to rank 14th. Joining them as returning starters are junior forward Kelly McNiff and junior Stephanie Warnke, Kelly’s younger sister. Last year, Warnke averaged 8.1 points and 2.8 assists per game, while McNiff averaged 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest.

Expected to round out the starting lineup are junior center Jennie Vosters or sophomore guard Kristin Steckmesser. Last year, Vosters averaged 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Steckmesser (5.4 p, 2.8 r) gives the Titans a different look when they go to a smaller lineup. Shooting 25-for-59 from three-point range last season, Steckmesser joins Stephanie Warnke (40-for-95), as the Titans’ top outside shooters. As in the past, the Titans’ strength as a whole lies with their defense. Last year, UW-Oshkosh allowed an average of just 46.9 points per game and 36.1 percent field goal shooting. The Titans also forced opponents into 674 turnovers, an average of 24.1 per game.

UW-SP women eager to get season going
By DON FRIDAY of the Stevens Point Journal
The return of several key veterans and the additions of some promising freshman recruits has Shirley Egner excited about Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Adding to the excitement for Egner and her players is the fact that the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will conduct, for the first time, a postseason tournament for men and women.

Egner, who has compiled a 126-93 record in nine seasons at the helm, is preparing her charges for the season opener in the annual Terry Porter Tip-Off Classic on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21. "I think the postseason tournament is great for women's basketball," Egner said. "We have one of the toughest Division III conferences in the country but, like the men, the NCAA cut us from 64 teams to 48 playoff teams this season.

"We didn't take a vote like the men did but had we done so it would have been either 7-2 or 8-1 in favor. The teams on top don't like it because it puts them in a vulnerable position. They may have to play each other three or even four times."

Egner returns six veterans from last year's outfit which finished 14-11, tied with River Falls for fourth place in the WIAC. Heading the list of returnees is 1997-98 Team of the Year third-teamer Jessica Ott, a 5-5 off-guard who earned first team all-league honors after leading the WIAC in scoring (22.4 points per game) and 3-point field goals (3.4 per game).

The other starters back are 6-0 sophomore center Kari Groshek (9.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 40 blocks) and 5-5 sophomore point guard Renee Knier (3.1 ppg). The other veterans back are 5-6 junior guard and team co-captain Kate Dunning, 5-9 sophomore swing player Kathryn Carlson and 5-10 sophomore post player Cicily Trice. All saw limited action last season.

Ott, a deadly outside shooter, should have more scoring help this season. "Our goal is to get Ott more rest this season," Egner said. She played more than 30 minutes in most games and 40 in a few."

Groshek should be one of those players who help take some of the scoring load from Ott. Knier will also be counted on at the key lead guard position. Egner expects two of her freshmen recruits to possibly break into the starting front line -- 6-0 Amie Schultz and 6-0 Carry Boehning.

In addition to size, Egner said depth will be a major asset this season. "We'll be a lot deeper and have more scorers this season," she said. In addition to the veterans, others who could see action include 5-5 guard Nikki Seaman, 5-11 center Dawn Arndt and 6-0 center Amanda Tosic. All are freshmen.

Egner is not conceding a thing to perennial kingpins Oshkosh and Eau Claire going into the WIAC season. "Our goal is to finish one or two," she said. "We've decided we are not content to finish just third or fourth. If we approach it like we are to challenge for a conference championship, then we don't have to be intimidated by Oshkosh or Eau Claire. If those two do finish 1-2, though, it's anybody's call for third between Point, River Falls and Stout. I don't see a big separation between the first four and second five. I do pick Oshkosh, which has four starters back with lots of leadership and experience, as the team to beat."

Augsburg Banking on Strength in Numbers
Losing the top two scorers from the past two seasons to graduation would normally mean disaster. But there is optimism in the Augsburg camp this season for third-year coach Lauri Ludeman. The Auggies finished 8-17, the school's best women's basketball record since 1986-87, when the Auggies finished 10-15. Despite losing record-holding forward Stefanie Lodermeier and off-guard Tara Oseland to graduation -- along with their 29.5 points per game -- the Auggies return 10 letterwinners who saw significant playing time last season. Ludeman has her largest roster ever on the court at Si Melby Hall -- 26 players -- which allows the Auggies the luxury of a junior varsity program for the first time in many years.

Jill Ruprecht and Sarah Palmer return as starters for the Auggies. Ruprecht, a forward, was third in scoring last season with a 9.2 points-per-game average, along with 3.5 rebounds per game, fourth on the team. Palmer enters her third season as the Auggies' starting point guard. Leslie Lucas, a 6-0 center who was often the team's first player off the bench last year, will step into a starting role. Guards Jenni Eilertson, Jodi Soule, Erin Brockberg and Colleen Shellum could contend for starting roles this year, along with forwards Liz Meskan, Toni Major and Jaime Kingsley.

Ludeman's strongest recruiting and transfer class will also give the Auggies room for optimism. Junior Lisa Laine, (Vermilion CC) and freshman Jamie Johnston will contend for varsity playing time at guard, while junior transfers Adrienne Tietz (Rainy River CC) and Katie Kolles (Div. II Winona State) should see some significant playing time on the low post.

With three starters and seven letterwinners returning to a squad that should net him his 200th career win, Alma coach Charlie Goffnett is optimistic heading into the 1998-99 season. This group of returners is headlined by the reigning MIAA MVP, Ellen Bradbury. The center averaged nearly 17 points and seven rebounds a game and paced the Scots in scoring 17 times and rebounding 16 times. She also led Alma is field goal percentage (54.3%) and blocked shots (20), with her best single game effort coming in the final week of the season, where she tallied 32 points and 14 rebounds in Alma’s 69-57 win at Olivet.

"We’re looking for a big senior year from Ellen," remarked Goffnett. "She’s really worked hard in the offseason on her strength."

Joining Bradbury as a returning starter is swing player Shannon Gross, whose 12.2 scoring average was second to Bradbury a season ago. An All-MIAA second-teamer, she was the top three-point shooter in the league Gross made 39% of her three-point attempts and shot 42% from the field overall. Kristin Babbit and Julie Whitmore should also contribute in the frontcourt for Alma.

The backcourt is the deepest part of the Scot attack. Returning at the point guard position is Rebekah Barker. The first freshman to start at point guard in the program's history, she led the team with 60 assists. The backcourt has Goffnett exited heading into his 12th season. "Mary Barnhart, Melissa Thorndyke and Joy Horton are all excellent athletes that can defend," said Goffnett. "We need to get some more scoring out of them this season."

Calvin Could Pull Off MIAA Four-Peat
Head coach Gregg Afman returns four starters and ten letterwinners from last year's 23-5 MIAA championship club including the team's leading scorer in senior center Kerry Walters. Other returning starters include the backcourt duo of sophomore point guard Mindi Andringa and junior guard Jodi VanNoord-Toonstra as well as junior small forward Lauren Louters. Junior guard Jill Kreuze also saw starting time in nine games while sophomore forward Stephanie Post was a starter in eight games as a freshman. Other returning letterwinners include senior center Rochelle Larson, junior center Robyn Fennema and senior guard Tara Dyk. Under Afman, Calvin has recorded five consecutive years of defensive excellence as the Knights have had a defensive scoring average under 60 points a game. With plenty of experience back this year, Afman will again look for a strong defensive effort from his squad but will also look to several veterans to provide scoring punch.

One of the players leading the Calvin scoring attack will be Walters, who averaged 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds a game last year. The 6-1 center ended the season strong by reaching double figures in scoring in her last six games including 17 points and 10 rebounds against Hope in the MIAA Championship game. Defensively, Walters tallied three blocked shots in each of Calvin's two NCAA Tournament games.

Andringa was also in double figures in scoring in 1998, averaging 11.3 points a contest along with a team-high 3.8 assists. The 5-9 point guard also sparkled at the free throw line, nailing 81%. Andringa stepped up her play over the final 20 games, racking up 73 assists against just 48 turnovers. Joining Andringa in the backcourt will be VanNoord-Toonstra, who finished second on the Calvin squad in rebounds with 151 for an average of 5.4 a game. Also a ball hawk on defense, VanNoord-Toonstra picked up a team-high 83 steals and added 8.5 points a game. Louters was off to a standout sophomore season before a knee injury in the 11th game cut her season short. A 5-11 forward, Louters was pumping in just under 10 points a game before her injury. Completely recovered, Louters will look to regain her starting spot this year and be a key ingredient on Calvin's defensive front.

Post and Kreuze both rotated into Calvin's starting rotation after the injury to Louters and contributed valuable minutes. A 5-9 forward, Post appeared in 26 games and averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds a game. A 5-9 guard, Kreuze saw action in all 28 games in 1998 and averaged nearly four rebounds a game. The 6-1 Larson will again provide depth at the post position after 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds a game last year while Dyk will likely back up Andringa at the point guard position after averaging 3.3 points and 1.4 rebounds a game off the bench as a junior.

Capital Has a Dozen Freshmen in Camp
The 1998-99 Capital team will be a young team striving to make its own mark in the women's basketball program. Dixie Jeffers has brought 12 freshmen to campus to join seven returnees from last year's team. With only two seniors and two juniors, the Crusaders will have to rely on the talented youngsters to step in and perform at a high level.

All-OAC first teamer Kendra Meyer leads the attack. Only a sophomore, Meyer has the potential to be a dominant force in the paint. On the perimeter, senior guard Joey Hayes is a dangerous shooting threat who led the OAC in three-pointers per game last year. A healthy Amy Strine also figures to be a major presence at guard for the Crusaders. Along with Hayes, Renee Riegle is the team's only other senior. Riegle is an effective defensive player whose reliability and versatility make her the type of role player that all successful teams need.

The one constant in almost a decade of 20-win seasons has been the presence of Dixie Jeffers on the Capital bench. Look for the Crusaders to exhibit the same qualities that past Jeffers-coached teams have shown, including their trademark motion offense, keyed by tight man-to-man defense.

Defiance's Four Seniors Look to MIAA Challenge
In her second season as head coach, Renee Kudzia has the 1998-99 Defiance women's basketball team poised and on their way to a new conference, their sixth straight 20-win season, and hopefully a return trip to NCAA Division III Tournament in March. For their first season in the MIAA, the Lady Jackets come with an experienced roster highlighted by the return of four seniors with an overall record of 76-6 heading into their final season. But in order for this "Fab 4" to continue the great tradition of Defiance women's basketball they will need key contributions from returning role players and new talent.

Leading the nation's third-highest scoring team (83.5 points) from a year ago are an experienced group of seniors, in the backcourt is 5-7 guard Annette Rue and 5-6 guard Shauna Graber. Rue is the all-time steals leader for the Lady Jackets with 306. Last season she averaged 12.9 points and led team in assists with 92. Graber running the point guard spot a year ago averaged 6.5 points and was second with 86 assists. Jenny Timbrook, a 5-11 forward, is the Lady Jackets' leading returning scorer with 13.2 per game and brought down 6.2 rebounds per contest last season. Emotional leadership comes from role player Mary Edwards. Being the spark off the bench in 23 games last season, this scrappy 5-6 guard averaged 3.0 points per game.

A solid group of young returning players from a year ago come back to fill essential roles for this team in 98-99. Five-ten forward Arin Gertsen is a finesse player who can go inside or outside. Last season, she came off the bench to shoot 52.8% (47-89) for 5.4 points per game. Following Gertsen are a group of guards, junior Mandy Crain and sophomore Jennifer Wachtman. Crain scored 6.3 points per game and was a 90% free-throw shooter (27-30) last season. Wachtman saw limited action but made the most of it scoring 4.2 points in just 6.7 minutes per game in 10 games last season.

Ravens Hope to Build on Record Season
Last season the Anderson women’s team set school-records for wins in a season (14) and winning streak (6). Raven head coach Marcie Taylor says, "We are expecting to have as good a year as we did last year, if not better." Taylor will be looking to better last season’s record-setting performance with only one returning starter and only five players who suited up for the Ravens last season. Fortunately for Taylor her one returning starter is 1997-98 All-ICAC First Team selection DeAnn Edge. As a junior Edge led the Ravens in every major statistical category with 16.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, in addition to a 74% mark from the free-throw line.

"Obviously DeAnn is a key to our team," says Taylor. "We need her to have solid offensive production, plus she has the ability to play at several positions and will be relied on as our team’s leader." Edge could see time at almost any position, but will likely be the starting small forward as the season begins. The versatile Raven was selected to the coaches' All-HCAC Preseason Team.

Senior Mary Garner developed into a role player for the Ravens midway through last season. Garner averaged 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 points per game. Sophomores Ardath Miller, Tanna Merrell and Jeigh Hockersmith will have key roles this season. Last season Miller averaged 5.4 points a game and showed her long-distance prowess with 39% shooting from three-point range. Miller will likely start at shooting guard. Merrell picked up her play as last season wore on and averaged 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds a game last year. Hockersmith will likely play point for the Ravens this season, after watching most of last season as she was hampered with a stress fracture in her leg.

Two freshmen could be penciled in as starters when the season tips-off on November 21 at Earlham. Forward Christy Woodward and center Amanda Neice will likely be expected to make an immediate impact. The Ravens will also bring in an experienced newcomer in junior college transfer Erin Cook (Lansing Community College). Taylor says of the junior guard, "It is an advantage that she comes in with two years of experience. She is a solid player at both ends of the floor."

Washington U. Reloading for Another Run
It has been said that getting to the top is hard, but staying there is even tougher. If that is the case, head coach Nancy Fahey and the defending national champion Washington University women's basketball team has their work cut out for them in 1998. But the Bears still boast a wealth of talent. Fahey's 13th edition returns two starters and 17 letterwinners from last year. One of those two returning starters is first team Division III Basketball Online Team of the Year member junior center Alia Fischer. Fischer led the UAA in scoring (20.1 ppg) and field goal percentage (.645) as the Bears finished 13-1 in the Association. She eclipsed school records for points (626), scoring average (20.9 ppg), free throws made (152) and free throws attempted (192), and broke her own record for field goal percentage (.609). Also back is senior forward Emily Nolan, who started all 30 games last season and scored 5.2 points per game and grabbed 3.2 rebounds per game. Fahey will turn to her bench, one of the deepest in the nation last season and a vital ingredient in the title run, to try to replace a trio of departed seniors. Leading the way will be a pair of sophomores and a trio of juniors. Sophomore forward Tasha Rodgers averaged 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 12.4 minutes per game while playing in all but one contest. Junior guard Emily Harold played in all 30 games, averaging 5.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Sophomore center Lindsey Merrill came off the bench in 27 contests to average 4.0 points and grab 3.4 rebounds per game. Junior guard Beth Reuther played in all 3 0 games, tied for second on the team with 24 three-pointers and ranked fifth with 48 assists. Junior Sue Tucker also saw action in every contest as the backup point guard, averaging 3.2 points per game and finishing third on the club with 63 assists.

Half-Dozen Returning for Chicago
Chicago returns six players from last year's 14-11 squad. Among those returnees is junior forward Kate Hemker, who earned All-UAA second team recognition a year ago after averaging 11.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocked shots per contest. Hemker will be joined in the frontcourt by junior forward Amy Gleisner and sophomore Kealey Mayer. In 1997-98, Gleisner was the Maroons' top scorer off the bench with 5.7 points per game. Gleisner also led the team with a .460 field goal percentage. Mayer saw significant playing time a year ago and averaged 3.7 points per outing. In the backcourt, Chicago returns sophomores Sarah Fox, Liz Corken, and Dana Allison. Fox started 24 of 25 games last season and was the club's fourth-leading scorer with 6.5 points per game. In addition, Fox ranked second on the team with 47 steals and third with 50 assists. Allison gained significant minutes at point guard last year and looks to be a key contributor in 1998-99. Corken was second to Gleisner in bench scoring with 5.2 points per contest. Several freshmen join the club this year, including 6-foot-1 forward Jennifer Ewald, Katie Miller, and Liz Reed, and guards Sydney Wolf and Kristi Womack.

St. Norbert Built Around Balance
For the first time in several years, the St. Norbert College women's basketball roster doesn't feature a standout player. But it's also one of the most balanced lineups the Green Knights have featured in coach Connie Tilley's 22 seasons. Of the team's likely starting five this season, none averaged more than eight points per game last season, but none averaged less than four. It's a group where any of the players could step forward and lead the Green Knights back to the Midwest Conference tournament for the second time in three years.

The Green Knights will need to step up quickly, since they open the season with St. Benedict (Minn.), a preseason favorite for the national championship. "We're excited about the challenge," Tilley said. "We want to play the best teams and this is a great opportunity."

The Green Knights feature two seniors and two juniors, who all will be looked upon for leadership. Senior post players Amy Aurit and Keri Henricksen both averaged 3.7 rebounds per game and played in all 22 games last season. Aurit is a two-year starter, while Henricksen has provided valuable minutes off the bench in recent seasons. Junior forward Nadia Czajkowski is the top returning rebounder and junior guard Liz Valela led the team in assists and steals last season.

Sophomore guard Julie Schill is expected to join the four upperclassmen in the starting lineup and is the leading returning scorer at 7.9 points per game. Other top returnees are sophomores Kristin Janssen and Erin Raddatz. Top newcomers include sophomore Erin McGinn, who transferred from St. Thomas, and sophomore Kris Van Deurzen, who didn't play last season.

Athleticism is North Park's Key
The 1998-99 North Park women's team promises to be one of the most athletic in recent memory. Last season, the Vikings finished 11-14, their best record since 1993-94. Highlights included sweeps of the season series against CCIW foes Augustana and Elmhurst. The Vikings finished conference play 5-9. Coach Jack Surridge will have to find a way to replace the strong inside play of departed seniors Michelle Hayden and Dragana Kosanovic. Hayden was a first-team All-CCIW choice last season, and paced the conference in rebounding each of the last two seasons. Hayden averaged 17.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Kosanovic averaged 5.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest.

The Vikings return three starters in junior Stacy Albrecht and sophomores Julia Kyte and Annie Musser. Albrecht was the Vikings' second-leading scorer, averaging 9.8 points per game. Kyte averaged 9.5 points and 4.4 rebounds and blocked 16 shots as a first-year player. Musser handled the ball exceptionally in her first season, serving as a floor leader and handing out a team high 113 assists.

A strong recruiting class, anchored by first-year players, Liz Deitz (St. Charles, Mo.), Jamie Edwards (Seattle, Wash.), Andrea Mendyk (Chicago), Heather Fitzgerald (Des Plaines, Ill.) and junior transfer Tracy Schader (Harper C.C.) promises to make this year an exciting one. This year's Vikings will feature a deeper team with more well-rounded players. Look for the Vikings to open it up both offensively and defensively this season as they'll play more of a pressing and running style of basketball.

Simpson Looks to Repeat as IIAC Champs
All five starters return for the Storm, led by All-IIAC forwards Jamie Rustad and Emily Tonn. Rustad, a 5'10" senior, was selected to the IIAC's first team after leading the league in field goal percentage (64.7) and finishing in the top 20 in three other offensive categories. Rustad led the team in rebounding (6.5 rpg), steals (54), and field goal percentage (62.1) and was second on the team in scoring (11.4). Rustad's performance is even more impressive considering she only averaged 15-17 minutes of playing time per night. Tonn led the team in scoring (13.2 ppg), free throw percentage (84.6), and minutes played (581). She was 10th in the Iowa Conference in field goal percentage (50.9) and 15th in scoring (12.3).

Senior Trisha Heiden and sophomore Lisa Cowling return to the Storm backcourt. Heiden was second on the team in field goal percentage (53.0). She finished third on the team in scoring (9.1 ppg), rebounding (4.0) and steals (47). Heiden was among the Iowa Conference leaders in field goal percentage (4th), free throw percentage (8th), and steals (13th). Cowling finished fifth in the conference with 2.47 steals in 19 league games and led the team in assists (93) and was fourth in the IIAC.

Kimber Kennedy completes the starting lineup. Kennedy finished seventh in Division III in blocked shots (4.0 bpg) and led the Iowa Conference in the category. The 6'2" senior center set new school records for most blocked shots in a game (10), blocks in a season (101), and is the school career record holder with 124.

The Storm have a challenging non-conference schedule. Simpson opens the season with NAIA Division II powerhouse Northwestern (Iowa) at home. The Storm's second game of the season is at NCAA Division II Wayne State (Neb.), following a game with Grinnell in Indianola on Dec. 12, Simpson travels to Colorado College for games against Colorado College and Grove City Jan. 2-3. The Iowa Conference schedule is tough led by co-defending champions Central and Luther who return strong lineups.

Upper Iowa Still Young and Talented
The 1998-99 edition of the Upper Iowa Peacock women’s basketball team is in a similar situation as they were last season: talented, but young. Head coach Bill Wilson has just one senior along with four sophomores and eight freshmen. Although the Peacocks are young, the four sohpomores have extensive experience with each of them starting at some point during last season. The Peacocks were 12-13 last year, including vicories over nationally ranked opponents Buena Vista and Simpson. With those victories and a handful of close losses against top opponents, the Peacocks have worked their way out of the basement of the Iowa Conference and have proven they can compete with the top half of the Iowa Conference.

This year’s Peacock team will have eight new faces to go along with the five returners. Upper Iowa has added size to an already big team and outside shooting to a team that struggled in this area last season. "This year’s team will be the most talented team we’ve had since I’ve been at Upper Iowa," said Wilson. "Our only question mark will be our inexperience. We hope that our talent can overcome our youthfulness."

This year’s returners will include All-IIAC performers Vicky Ringenberg and Briana McIntosh. They are the first two Upper Iowa women’s basketball players to be voted All-Conference in the same season. Ringenberg is a 6-0 senior forward who averaged 16.1 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game, placing her third and second in the IIAC, respectively. McIntosh is a 5-5 sophomore guard who posted 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.4 steals per game.

The three remaining sophomores will also contribute in the post alongside Ringenberg. Jamie Luchtel, a 5-11 forward, started 14 games for the Peacocks last season, averaging 7.4 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Sandra Pena, a 5-11 forward, started 11 games for the Peacocks averaging 8.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game and Sherry Fronimos, a 6-0 forward, started twice for the Peacocks last year, averaging 2.2 points per game and 1.5 rebounds.

The Peacocks are optimistic for the 1998-99 season with All-Conference players returning and quality players joining the program.

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