Women's Basketball Preview, Part 9: Green Bay

Nov. 5, 2007

Green Bay women's basketball will have a vastly new look in 2007-08, both on the floor and on the sideline with the arrival of first-year head coach Matt Bollant. If the Phoenix holds true to its rich history, that doesn't mean the team won't have another successful run this season.

Despite losing its top three scorers from last year's record-setting 29-4 team, Green Bay has proven in years past that reloading seasons seldom feature frustration. Green Bay returns a pair of two-year starters and a bounty of juniors seasoned with experience from the team's epic run during the 2006-07 campaign. If it's just another rebuilding year for Green Bay, a Horizon League title and postseason run is not out of the question for the Phoenix.

Adding to the team's six returning letterwinners is an eager group of seven newcomers, including four redshirt freshmen, who are ready to make an impact on the court this season.

THE BACKCOURT
Leading the Phoenix at the guard position is senior Kayla Groh, who begins her third season as a Green Bay starter. Groh's defense was noted last year with her inclusion on the Horizon League's All-Defensive team, and she finished her junior campaign ranked in the top 20 in the NCAA with her dead-on .859 free throw percentage. Groh's all-around game will again be a key factor in Green Bay's success this season, as she finished last year among the team's top five in scoring, rebounding, steals, assists and assist/turnover ratio.

One of the top contenders for the other guard position is junior Kati Harty. Harty was Green Bay's top reserve at the guard spot each of the last two years, averaging 5.6 points per game and was third on the squad with 2.2 assists per contest. Not afraid to attack the basket despite her 5-6 frame, the Ashwaubenon, Wis., native provides Green Bay with versatility offensively.

Looking to break through this season is junior guard Trisha Legois. A precise shooter with long range, Legois saw action in 21 games last year, averaging 2.0 points per game while shooting over 46 percent from three-point range.

A trio of newcomers look to contribute for the Phoenix this season. Leading the way is redshirt freshman Celeste Hoewisch, a no-nonsense guard who gained a year of experience in practice last season pairing up against Green Bay graduate Natalie Berglin. Hoewisch, a feisty defender with a wealth of energy, has a good chance of seeing plenty of minutes as a rookie.

Also coming off a year of redshirt experience is local product Heather Golden. A state champion from nearby De Pere High School, Golden has the versatility to play both the shooting guard and small forward positions.

Elicia Derusha rounds out the newcomers in the backcourt. The first Phoenix player to hail from Michigan's Upper Peninsula since standout Sara Boyer, Derusha was a first-team all-state selection and a three-time conference player of the year on her way to notching over 1,600 points for her career.

THE FRONTCOURT
With the graduation of two-time Horizon League Player of the Year Nicole Soulis last season, it might seem that Green Bay may have a tough time filling the void in the paint. But the Phoenix has a bounty of players in the forward and center positions to pick up where Soulis left off.

Two-year starter Rachel Porath enters the year as Green Bay's most notable returnee, as the junior gained preseason All-Horizon League recognition. Last season Porath finished fourth on the team in scoring with 9.4 points per game and was among the Horizon League leaders in all three shooting categories. Porath's versatility in playing both forward and guard positions will be relied on heavily this season.

Also returning for her junior campaign is center Lavesa Glover, who finished the 2006-07 campaign sixth on the team in scoring, despite playing just 14.1 minutes a game. Glover's soft hands around the basket make her a prime target for the Phoenix offense as the Miami native aims to crack the starting lineup this year.

Junior Erin Templin will also vie for a starting role this season after two years as a reserve. Templin emerged as one of the team's top rebounders last season, nabbing 3.3 rebounds per game. Templin's game also includes precise shooting, as attested by her 40 percent shooting from three-point range last year.

Redshirt freshmen Staci Beckel and Morgan Faase will look to contribute this season after gaining a year of experience. Beckel's athletic ability makes her a strong candidate to provide versatility in the post, while Faase, at 6-3, is one of the tallest players in Green Bay history.

Green Bay welcomes a pair of true freshmen to the squad in a pair of 6-0 swing players Kayla Tetschlag and Julie Wojta.

Tetschlag comes to Green Bay after a stellar prep career at Sheboygan (Wis.) North High School, where she was a three-time Fox River Valley Conference Player of the Year. Tetschlag aided the Golden Vikings to a WIAA Division 1 state runner-up finish last spring.

Wojta, from nearby Mishicot High School, was an honorable mention all-state selection as a junior and was twice named the Lakeshore Conference Player of the Year.

2007-08 SCHEDULE
Green Bay has a formidable schedule set to open the Kress Center floor. Green Bay will host 15 foes at its new facility, beginning with longtime foe Northern Illinois Nov. 28.

Of Green Bay's first seven games, five are against teams with 2007 postseason experience. Along with its season-opening foe Drake, Green Bay will host NCAA tournament squad Marquette Dec. 1. Illinois State, Kansas State and Wisconsin all participated in the WNIT last spring, with the in-state rival Badgers advancing to the championship contest.

December will feature five Phoenix games at the Kress Center, starting with Marquette and Kansas State Dec. 5. Northern Arizona, Arizona and North Dakota State will also head to Titletown for non-conference action.

The 2008 Horizon League season begins on the road for Green Bay, as the Phoenix will take on Detroit and Wright State to open league play the first week of January. Green Bay returns home to host Cleveland State and Youngstown State the following weekend.

UIC, who advanced to postseason play with a bid to the 2006 WNIT, will come to Green Bay Jan. 26 for a rare Saturday evening contest. Butler, Green Bay's opponent in the 2007 Horizon League Championship game, comes to Green Bay Feb. 16. Instate rival Milwaukee is the first of three regular season-ending games at the Kress Center for Green Bay with a March 1 contest.

With the addition of Valparaiso to give the Horizon League 10 institutions, the 2008 Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship will slightly modify its format with the addition of a second first-round game. First round is set for March 10, with quarterfinal action at the top four seeds following March 12. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals and final March 14 and 16.

--Story provided by Green Bay office of sports information