(Ann Arbor, MI) – The Cardinals women's basketball team will start their 2019-20 season with a road matchup the Friday against 15th ranked Taylor University. Concordia finished the 2018-19 season with an overall record of 8-23 and 6-14 in conference.
This will be the 2nd year that the women's basketball program will be under the helm of head coach Kiefer Haffey. With one year of establishing his coaching style and the culture he desires to have in Ann Arbor, Haffey will expect big things from his talented squad that is comprised of seasoned veterans as well as eager underclassmen.
Schedule Outlook
After opening the season with Taylor on Friday, October 25th, the Cardinals will prep for their home opener on Tuesday, October 29th against Mount Vernon Nazarene. The Cardinals will also play host to Governor's State and Spring Arbor to open up the first week of the season.
Concordia will have a special opportunity to play an exhibition game against NCAA Division I Oakland University on October 30th. The Cardinals will travel north to play at the O'rena at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI.
The Cardinals will begin play in the competitive WHAC on Saturday, November 9th when the Cardinals host Lourdes University. The first WHAC double header with the men's team will take place on Saturday, November 16th when the Cardinals host rival Siena Heights. The Cardinals will only have one game in December when the Warriors of Rochester University visit the Fieldhouse on Dec. 4th. The Cardinals will then begin a stretch of road games for the next month.
The women's basketball team will also compete in the 69th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) on January 24th and 25th. The tournament will be held at Concordia University Chicago in Forest Park, IL, and have drawn a first round matchup against the #1 ranked Bulldogs from Concordia University Nebraska.
Cardinal Returners
The Cardinals will be led by their seniors Shelbea James (SR/Dexter, MI), Jerrica Neal (SR/Gary, IN), and Rachel Perry (SR/Otsego, MI). J'May Simmons and Ally Hunt will be provide leadership on and off the court as captains. Haffey will rely on the Cardinals experience as several student-athletes contributed their first year. Katie Snow (JR/Grosse Pointe Woods, MI), Aly Lenz (SO/Fenton, MI), Paige Johnson (SO/Howell, MI), and Avery Bebble, and Stephanie Abraham (SO/Marine City, MI) will provide depth and experience at the guard and wing positions. Trys'styn Williams will continue to anchor the Cardinals interior with her length and athleticism.
Where in the WHAC?
The Cardinals finished 7th in conference play in the 2018-19 season and are looking to climb the ladder. WHAC coaches voted Concordia to finish 7th in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) preseason poll.
Indiana Tech was tabbed the favorite once again with all 11 first place votes and 121 total. The WHAC has two teams appearing in the NAIA top 25 with Indiana Tech at #4 and UM Deaborn at #22. Aquinas appears just on the outside receiving 33 votes.
Stat Leaders from 2018-2019 Season
Points per Game (PPG)
#14 Katie Snow – 16.2 PPG
#20 Tris'styn Williams (JR/New Baltimore, MI) – 9.8 PPG
Rebounds per Game (RPG)
#14 Katie Snow – 6.2 RPG
#20 Tris'styn Williams – 5.6 RPG
Assists per Game (APG)
#14 Katie Snow – 2.2 APG
#22 Allyson Hunt (JR/Grand Ledge, MI) – 2.0 APG
Shooting Percentage
#20 Tris'styn Williams – 46%
#14 Katie Snow – 44%
3-Point Percentage
#3 Aly Lenz – 34%
#22 Allyson Hunt – 30%
Newcomers
The Cardinals will welcome a versatile and well-rounded recruitng class to the hardwood. The freshman newcomers include Samantha Dorn (FR/Brownstown, MI), Madison Birchmeier (FR/Corunna, MI), Jade Finfera (FR/Delta, OH), Lindsey Ferrington (FR/Flint, MI), Rebecca Laberge (SR/Quebec City, QC), Asaria Turman (FR/Ypsilanti, MI), Katherine Schulz, Olivia Rasch, Brinna Melling, and Mackenzie Howe. The talented mix of newcomers will look to make immediate contributions to the program both on and off the court as they begin their Cardinal careers.
Team motto and verse
The Cardinals have chosen their team motto as "Stronger" for the 2019-20 campaign. They motto comes from the bible verse Hebrews 12:11 – "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." The Cardinals will rely on this verse during the season and use it as inspiration as they remain strong in their faith in Christ and each other.
