Chalk the 2005-06 season up to experience.
North Dakota State Hall of Fame women's basketball coach Amy Ruley plans to put those experiences to good use in the future starting with the upcoming campaign starting with a pair of exhibitions against Minnesota State Moorhead at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 and Bemidji State at 6 p.m. Nov. 4.
Playing their first full Division I schedule, the Bison women endured an uncharacteristic 9-17 season. While the win total was the lowest in many years, the program did show it could be competitive with wins over Alabama, Creighton and NCAA tournament bound Middle Tennessee State. There were also quality showings at New Mexico, at Minnesota and against Wisconsin-Green Bay.
However, the ghost of past successes, said Ruley, made it hard to see the forest through the trees.
"I think anytime you have a difficult season like we had last year, you react in one of two ways -- Fight or flight," said Ruley, who has compiled a 640-176 record in 27 seasons at NDSU.
"I think there's a renewed energy. I think last season was a real learning experience for everyone. It was a season which we wanted to get a feel for the competition and the travel."
North Dakota State returns eight players including three starters and three other players who made at least one start last season. Game time will be up for grabs as nine newcomers join the roster with seven eligible to play right away.
"We have eight athletes who have experience to be a nucleus and we feel we are adding some quality younger players," said Ruley.
Four seniors have seen the transition from Division II to Division I close up and personal. The coaching staff is looking for that quartet to provide leadership.
Gritty 5-8 senior guard Amanda Girodat (Kindred, N.D./Kindred H.S.) has been limited to only three games over the past two seasons because of knee injuries.
"Amanda certainly is working very hard toward a positive outcome," said Ruley.
"We're anticipating that she will be ready to go. Her leadership is phenomenal as evidenced by the fact she was selected along with Lisa Bue as our team captains. It's really instrumental to the success of our team. She's a vocal, emotional and take charge kind of leader."
Girodat will help fill the void in the backcourt left by two-time Division I All-Independent performer Katie Lorenz. There's also veterans like 5-10 senior Katie Dahlen (Fargo, N.D./North H.S.) and 5-10 junior Lisa Bue (Austin, Minn./Austin H.S.). Dahlen (3 ppg, 1.6 rpg) provided a spark during the last half of the season. Bue has proven to have the right stuff, averaging 10.5 points and 5 rebounds per game in starting all 26 contests last season.
A pair of talented newcomers look to contribute right away in 5-7 junior Emily Moran (Fremont, Neb./Fremont H.S.), a transfer from Northeast Nebraska J.C., and 5-9 freshman Inger Hodgson, an all-state performer from Barneveld (Wis.) High School.
NDSU returns an interesting blend of youth and experience. Kayla Dahlen, a 5-10 senior from Fargo, N.D. (North H.S.) has started 52 of 53 games over the past two seasons. Dahlen (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg) earned all-tournament honors at the Ball State Credit Union Classic last year
Developing consistency is key for 6-foot junior Brenda Slyt (Climax, Minn./Climax-Fisher H.S.) and 6-1 sophomore Ali Sonstelie (Winger, Minn./East Grand Forks Sacred Heart H.S.), who had flashes of brilliance in 2006. Slyt (4.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg) had a breakout game against Minnesota with a career-high 17 points. Sonstelie (6.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg) showed her shooting range and earned Ball State Credit Union Classic all-tourney and Division I Independent Newcomer of the Week honors.
Several new faces will be pushing for playing time right away in 5-9 junior Jackie Sanden (Barney, N.D./Wyndmere H.S.), a transfer from North Dakota State College of Science; 6-1 freshman Georgia Popovici (Edmonton, Alberta/Jasper Place H.S.), and 6-foot freshman Megan Shea (Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong H.S.). Another pair of newcomers, 6-foot sophomore Ashley Samuelson (Underwood, Minn./Underwood H.S.) and 6-1 junior Annika Walseth (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson H.S.), transfer from Colorado State and will sit out this season due to NCAA rules.
The Bison have an interesting blend inside where 6-1 senior Danni Heintzelman (Alberta, Minn./Morris H.S.) has provided quality minutes. Heintzelman, who averaged 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 2006, earned Lobo Shootout all-tourney honors and was the key component of an impressive rally against Creighton.
The coaching staff looks to bank on the experience of 6-2 sophomore Jerri Penley (Willis, Mich./Ypsilanti Calvary Christian Academy) and Louisville transfer Jenna Lemnus, a 6-2 junior from Enderlin, N.D. (Enderlin H.S.). Penley (1.4 ppg, 1.6) improved with each practice and game last season, while Lemnus is eager to hit the court after a year lay-off. Six-two freshman Jill Zaruba (Monticello, Minn./Monticello H.S.) will provide depth in the post.
NDSU opens the 2006-07 regular season Nov. 11 at Oral Roberts of the Mid-Continent Conference, a good test before the home opener against NCAA tournament participant and Big Sky tourney champs Northern Arizona on Nov. 19. The NAU contest is the first of 12 games at the Bison Sports Arena, a schedule that includes UW-Milwaukee (another NCAA tourney participant) on Dec. 10, San Jose State on Dec. 18, Minnesota on Dec. 22, Arkansas State on Jan. 20 and South Dakota State on Feb. 3.
North Dakota State plays in a pair of tournaments at Montana State on Nov. 24-25 and East Carolina on Dec. 2-3, while trips to Alabama, Middle Tennessee and UW-Green Bay are also on the docket.
