Northwestern University Athletics
The 2000-01 Women's Basketball Outlook
9/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 28, 2000
Head coach June Olkowski and the Northwestern's women's basketball team eagerly awaits the arrival of the 2000-2001 season. The Wildcats have a year of Olkowski's system under their belts and a strong nucleus returning. The seasoned head coach returns nine letterwinners from a year ago and welcomes two newcomers.
"The lessons have been taught and the work ethic is there," explained Olkowski. "The team knows how to go about accomplishing things at practice and this season they will play instinctively.
"Last season, our coaching staff spent a lot of time teaching the game and that took the majority of our time," she continued. "This year will be different in that the players have an understanding of my style of play and they know my expectations."
Olkowski believes that the key to this year's success is going to be whether or not the players take pride in their roles on the team.
"Our emphasis has been that the team is first and the players will have to know their individual roles in order for the TEAM to be successful," explained Olkowski.
Seniors Dana Leonard and Tami Sears return to the 'Cats starting lineup and are expected to anchor the team. Olkowski believes that this will be a big year for Leonard as she will be the catalyst that the team will build around. Sears is the team's leading scorer and rebounder from a year ago, and the coaching staff is only expecting her to exceed expectations this season.
"Dana has been working all summer on being able to come off the dribble," said Olkowski. "She has matured and realized that she has to score, but also contribute in a lot of other ways on the floor."
Leonard will lead a group of six guards this season that will need to control the run and press in order to be successful. They will have to contain the ball in the frontcourt and steal the ball a lot more to create more easy baskets for themselves. The guards, this season, bring several elements to the table. Leonard is one of the Big Ten's most dangerous threats from long range. Last season she sank 54 from behind the arc to rank third in the Big Ten. She has consistently finished in the top five in the conference in three-point field goals made and three-point percentage. Sophomore Emily Butler gained on-the-job training last season, starting 24 of the 28 games, and was the team's fourth leading scorer. Butler has a liquid outside shot and has improved her ball handling skills which will be to NU's advantage this season. In addition, she's a very aggressive player and has gained a better understanding of the game.
Junior college transfer Anya Walker can score and will be a slasher for the 'Cats. Last season at Central Florida Community College, she averaged 10.5 points and 2.2 steals per game. Sophomores Natalie Will and Nicole Daniels add experience to the group as they saw a lot of minutes last season as freshmen. In order to become more of an offensive threat, Will will need to become a more aggressive player. Daniels, who has natural ability, has improved her ball handling skills and has improved her on-court leadership.
Junior Ashley Messenger rounds out the sextet. She is very athletic and has improved tremendously from a year ago is also expected to see some minutes this season.
"They are still very young, but last year they got their feet wet and that will pay off this season," explained Olkowski. "I am excited to see what they will add to the mix this season."
The 'Cats will count on the senior leadership of top scorer and rebounder Sears to anchor the frontcourt. Sears is an inside force who specializes in offensive rebounding and is a good passer from the high post. She tries to wear down the opponents with her tenacity on the boards, as she led Northwestern last season with 7.4 rpg last year.
"Tami has to be the key to the post game," said Olkowski. "Her setback the past two years has been her injuries, but she is healthy now and her ability to hit the 15-foot jumper has improved. In addition to Sear's shooting abilities, she has improved her ball-handling skills over the summer to give her game another dimension."
Junior Bill?e Russell adds another element to the post position, as she is quick and powerful and has the ability to hit the open jumper. Freshman Michelle Zylstra gives the post a dimension that the Wildcats have not previously seen - she is able to shoot from three-point range.
"Michelle's only hindrance will be her lack of experience at the collegiate level, but I think she's up for the challenge," said Olkowski.
Leading the 'Cats this season at center will be sophomore Leslie Dolland. Dolland is very knowledgeable of the game and intelligent on the court. She started 26 of 28 games last season and was a dominant inside presence for NU. Olkowski will look for Dolland to contribute at an even greater level this year. The 'Cats also welcome back senior Chala Holland, who sat out last season because of a knee injury. She is one of the best athletes on the team, but her contribution to the team will depend on how fast she can get back to 100 percent. Senior Becky Fisher rounds out the center position. Fisher had a vigorous workout over the summer, and has gotten stronger. Her responsibility will be as a defensive stopper in the paint, as knocking down shots and grabbing rebounds.
"I really understand our strengths and I know that we need to establish a post game in order to win this season," explained Olkowski. "We did not get easy baskets last year (transition and free throws) and that hurt us."
With a strong nucleus returning and a year of 'Olkowski' basketball behind them, the 'Cats look to make waves in the Big Ten this year.
