This story is sponsored by Forward Financial Bank
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County women’s basketball team has been working since practice started nearly a month ago to accomplish one common goal: winning a state championship.
The Marauders opened the season going 1-1 at the UW-Fond du Lac Tournament on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, and since have had an extra couple of weeks of practice to get used to each other and join forces to accomplish their goal.
UW-M/WC returned to action Wednesday against UW-Marathon County with a big victory in its conference-opener 66-33.
“We have expectations to make it down to state and win a state championship,” second-year Marauders coach Brent Ystad said. “We have been working since Day 1 to accomplish that. We are working together at taking a lot of pieces and functioning as one unit.”
The Marauders return three players from last year’s team that finished 12-9 overall and 10-6 in the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference, and reached the junior college state tournament semifinals.
Taylor Lynn, a guard from Colby, is the top returning scorer after averaging 11 points per game last season. She averaged 15 points a game at the Fond du Lac tournament and had a season-high 20 points in Wednesday’s win against Marathon County.
Also back are Mikayla Jankowski from Auburndale (6 points a game) and Carrie Stroetz from Stratford.
“We are giving Taylor a lot of leadership responsibilities and roles this year,” Ystad said. “Being a second-year player and with her year of experience, she sees the floor really well.”
Stroetz is reuniting with former Stratford High School teammate Brooke Schultze, an incoming freshman. Schultze scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds in the season-opening loss to Silver Lake College.
“It is nice to get Carrie back,” Ystad said. “She is a solid post player and a big presence. Adding Brooke is a plus. She is very explosive, quick guard able to attack the basket.”
Among the other incoming freshmen are Katie Meacham of Colby, Paige Newman, Allie Paitel and Becca Austin from Wisconsin Rapids, Karly Bump of Spencer, DeNecia Turner of Milwaukee Bradley Tech, and Ashlee Conrad of Marshfield.
Ystad said playing a sound defensive game will go a long way toward the Marauders’ success this season.
“We have been working on defensive fundamentals, zones, man-to-man, presses,” Ystad said. “I do believe a solid game defensively will win us championships.”