WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: GROW WITH EVERY GAME

The young Dana College women’s basketball team was dealt more than its share of adversity in 2002-03. An already small roster, shortened further by injury and military service, led to a winless campaign. Those things, combined with competing in arguably the toughest NAIA conference in the nation, led to a 0-22 finish in Head Coach Brenda Mechels’ inaugural season.

Although the Vikings did not win a game this year, Coach Mechels believes her team showed improvement with each game. “We had to overcome a number of obstacles during this year. Our leading scorer, Samanta Alapa (’05), tore her ACL in mid-season, Janine Jones (’03) was called up to defend our country, Michelle Glanz (’05) and Erin Stoffel (’04) weren’t 100 percent due to injuries, and playing all season with eight players says enough about our team,” Mechels said.

The Vikings focused on things they had control over, like continuing to practice hard and remaining positive throughout this entire experience. “The team rallied behind one another and we can definitely build on the situation for next year,” said sophomore guard Glanz.

And build they will. Coach Mechels and her staff are in the midst of recruiting and are excited about the opportunity to bring in some great players who can compete in the tough Great Plains Athletic Conference.

Three players averaged in double figures for Dana College: Alapa, 12.0 points per game (ppg); Stoffel, 11.0 ppg; and Glanz, 10.2 ppg.
Stoffel was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.
Junior Mili Monis ’04 led the Vikings in assists with 29 and steals with 31.