They’re back for more
Last season, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s basketball team got a taste of winning and the playoff berth that comes with. They liked it. Following their first winning season since 1993-94, thanks to an 11-9 record and their first Canada West playoff berth since 2009-10, the majority of last year’s roster returns for not only for another sample of a winning season, but to take it even further.
The next step begins tonight as the Horns open the regular season against the MacEwan Griffins at 6 p.m. at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
And there are familiar faces o’plenty as the new season tips off.
“I think with the program, consistency is everything,” said Pronghorns interim head coach Dave Waknuk, who will take over the bench for head coach Dave Adams, who is on a leave of absence. “If you look at the best programs in the country, they are consistent and they are bringing people back and growing their own players. I think we’re on that path right now. So we are finally a little bit older, a little more experienced and we still have that experience from the playoffs. We felt what winning was like last year so we’re excited to get another crack at it. We have the main part of the team back and added a couple of key pieces, but I think we’re really excited with what we have and I’m excited for the players that we have that gained so much from last year’s run and bring that back this year.”
Pronghorns guard Danielle Fritzke returns as one of the team’s fifth-year players that include Kacie Bosch, recentlyadded Logan Moncks and Kathryn Hankins.
“It’s really exciting because we have a lot of players coming back and I’m really confident with the people we have,” said the product of Medicine Hat. “Everybody has more experience now. I don’t think we have any first-year players on our roster and that’s huge, just for experience in playing in this league.
“We just got a taste of winning and getting into the double digits. It was really awesome. Coming into this year, you just don’t want to let that feeling go. We’ll bring that into every game and make sure we play with a full effort and that we didn’t leave anything on the floor.”
The already-experienced Pronghorns roster got a boost earlier this week with the addition of Moncks.
The five-foot-11 forward from Cardston was a part of the 201617 Lethbridge College Kodiaks team that went 21-0 in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference and was capped off with a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association title.
Moncks was also named a CCAA All-Canadian, CCAA National Championship First Team All-Star and ACAC South Division First Team All-Star that season.
“I think anytime you can add somebody of quality late is huge, but obviously someone with her pedigree,” said Waknuk
“When you have someone who knows how to win and has been successful at every level she’s played at, for us to add her is a great asset for us in something that is going to help us be deeper and it gives us another weapon in our rotation and another strong player.”
Waknuk takes over on the bench for Adams, who is taking a medical leave of absence after suffering a crash during road bike training for the World Triathlon Championship.
Fortunately for Waknuk, he takes over a familiar situation.
“I think I’m in a great situation because coach Adams did a great job building a foundation here and built the bricks of the foundation, so I’m fortunate enough to come in while this ship is already moving,” he said. “I’ve known these girls for a few years, so it’s nice that I’m familiar with the program and they’re familiar with me. But really, this is driven by the players. I think anybody could coach this team at this point because there are a lot of great personalities and leadership that we have with this group.”
“It’s been really good,” added Fritzke. “Dave has been around the program and he knows what’s going on, he’s not new coming in. Obviously, we’re hoping Dave Adams gets healthy right away, but it’s awesome that Dave is able to come in, coach our team and have that personal relationship on and off the court with the players.”
After a 5-3 preseason against some Canada West and eastern university teams that left them a bit bruised, the Horns start playing for keeps tonight.
“We're as healthy as were going to be,” said Waknuk. “We’ve had some good reps at practice and we had some full units back, so that’s exciting. We’re just excited to start the season. MacEwan is always tough. They’re well coached, they’re scrappy and they don’t quit, especially on the defensive end. We know it’ll be a tough matchup, but we’re excited for that and ready to start.”
“It’s exciting to finally play because we had that by weekend for Canada West opening,” said Fritzke. “We’re prepared to play and excited to finally get the season going.”
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