Women undefeated after first 5 games
Caleb Sanford
Issue date: 11/25/09 Section: Sports
The Madison College women's basketball team has hit the ground running, winning their first five games, and living up to their No. 1 national ranking in the Division III poll.
"Being 5-0 doesn't hurt," said head coach Jessica Pelzel. "And we have a week off after the game against Western Tech, and we can get back to basic stuff and rest up for December."
The game that has made the biggest statement for the WolfPack so far has been the rematch against the team that beat them in the championship game last year, Rochester Community and Technical College.
The WolfPack won 69-54 and lead the game by 11 points after the first half. A late push by Rochester CTC kept the game close, but the WolfPack held on for the win.
"The atmosphere was great for the game," said Pelzel. "Our defense was the best it's been so far this season. When Rochester started clawing back in the second half, we kept the pressure on them and kept up our game."
A subsequent 62-56 win against NJCAA Division I opponent, Sauk Valley Community College, has given the team a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the season. Newcomer Gabi Hungerford leads the team in scoring with 70 points, far ahead of the second-leading scorer, Alyssa Bowe, who sits at 33 points.
"Gabi is the obvious target by opposing defenses," claimed Pelzel. "But against Rochester, they triple-teamed her, which allowed three of our other players (Thresia Elskamp, Kendra Mussehl and Bowe) to score more points than her. She's one of those players that makes everyone around her better because opposing teams have to cover her."
Even though the team is off to a great start, Pelzel sees room for improvement. Turnovers have been a problem for the team, and the team needs to sustain its success on defense.
"It comes down to having five players on the court who are not used to each other yet," stated Pelzel. "But we'll be fine if we keep progressing in the right direction."
"Being 5-0 doesn't hurt," said head coach Jessica Pelzel. "And we have a week off after the game against Western Tech, and we can get back to basic stuff and rest up for December."
The game that has made the biggest statement for the WolfPack so far has been the rematch against the team that beat them in the championship game last year, Rochester Community and Technical College.
The WolfPack won 69-54 and lead the game by 11 points after the first half. A late push by Rochester CTC kept the game close, but the WolfPack held on for the win.
"The atmosphere was great for the game," said Pelzel. "Our defense was the best it's been so far this season. When Rochester started clawing back in the second half, we kept the pressure on them and kept up our game."
A subsequent 62-56 win against NJCAA Division I opponent, Sauk Valley Community College, has given the team a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the season. Newcomer Gabi Hungerford leads the team in scoring with 70 points, far ahead of the second-leading scorer, Alyssa Bowe, who sits at 33 points.
"Gabi is the obvious target by opposing defenses," claimed Pelzel. "But against Rochester, they triple-teamed her, which allowed three of our other players (Thresia Elskamp, Kendra Mussehl and Bowe) to score more points than her. She's one of those players that makes everyone around her better because opposing teams have to cover her."
Even though the team is off to a great start, Pelzel sees room for improvement. Turnovers have been a problem for the team, and the team needs to sustain its success on defense.
"It comes down to having five players on the court who are not used to each other yet," stated Pelzel. "But we'll be fine if we keep progressing in the right direction."
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