The University of Idaho women’s basketball team completed its first official practice of the 2020-21 season on Oct. 14. The Vandals officially started their preseason as they have until Nov. 25 to finish 30 practices before the regular season is set to start.
Last season, the Vandals were set to face-off for the Big Sky Conference (BSC) title against Montana State, but COVID-19 prevented them from getting the chance. The Vandals look to return to last season’s intensity. They ended the 2019-2020 regular season with a record of 22-9 (15-5 BSC), dominating defensively as they finished with the best defense in the BSC.
UI looks to maintain a strong defensive front along with bringing in more offensive weapons with their four new faces to replace UI graduates Lizzy Klinker and Isabelle Hadden.
“We are going to have a lot more depth this year,” Jon Newlee, head coach of UI women’s basketball, said. “I love our two transfers Gabi and Rylee. I also love our two freshmen. I think everyone will love watching them play. They can both score and defend well. I think we will be a much more physical basketball team this year, but a much quicker team as well.”
With the new recruits, chemistry is a key for a team to be successful, and it has proved to be a challenge for teammates to get accustomed to each other because of COVID-19 precautions.
“We haven’t been able to use the locker room or go on a team retreat, and that’s how the team usually bonds,” Newlee said. “It will be a slower process because the new people coming in will play a key role for us… It’s been a juggling act for me to get everyone together and really clicking off the floor and then translating it onto the floor.”
The Vandals have 10 players returning from last season, including Big Sky All-Conference selections, junior guard Gina Marxen and sophomore forward Beyonce Bea. Marxen led the Vandals in scoring with 412 points, and she led the BSC in three-pointers making 89. Even with the unpredictable season, Marxen is glad to be back on the court.
“It feels great to be back,” Marxen said. “We didn’t have our postseason workouts like normal last season but being back here and being able to practice together and find that chemistry again is really exciting.”
Armin Mesinovic can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @arminmesinovic.