By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – With a solid group of local talent, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball team is looking to get back on top this season.
Green Bay Preble’s Kendall Renard (freshman), Freedom’s Callie Genke (freshman), Kimberly’s Maddy Schreiber (freshman), Luxemburg-Casco’s Cassie Schiltz (redshirt-freshman – 6.8 points per game) and Seymour’s Hailey Oskey (junior – 7.9 ppg) give the Phoenix a local flair.
“The success of our program has been built on our ability to capture local players,” Green Bay Head Coach Kevin Borseth said. “Local players bring in fans and media attention to watch because they’re close to home. We want to get them all, but unfortunately, it’s more competitive these days.”
With no fans in attendance during the 2021-22 season, Borseth said he’s looking forward to more normalcy.
“Last year was an anomaly, I hope,” he said. “I did like the back-to-back games last season against the same opponent, though. The biggest thing is having the fans back and playing in front of people. Playing a game with no fans was difficult. We are an entertainment sport, and we get energy from the crowd.”
Borseth joked he had to talk quieter last season so the opposing team and referees couldn’t hear him.
“This season, I suppose I can yell a few more things without being heard,” Borseth laughed.
The Phoenix were picked to finish third in the Preseason Horizon League Coaches Poll, but Borseth said he doesn’t put much stock in that.
“We’re in there someplace,” he said. “Our league is good with consistency among players and coaches. I don’t think you can count anyone out in this league. IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) has the league MVP back, UW-Milwaukee and Northern Kentucky have all their kids back. Youngstown State has a whole new slate of players who transferred into the program with experience. The list goes on and on.”
Borseth said he doesn’t think an opposing team “can just show up” and expect to win against his squad.
“When you play against us, there are no guarantees,” he said. “Like everyone else, teams will have to earn everything they get. I think we’ll be competitive.”
Redshirt-senior Meghan Pingel, who started all 22 games last season and led the team in minutes played, was selected as a member of the preseason All-League Second Team.
Borseth also said he’s “extremely excited” about his incoming freshman class – Bailey Butler, Genke, Jenna Guyer and Schreiber.
“On paper, at least, it’s the best freshman class we’ve ever had in terms of ranking,” he said. “They are good and can play. They’re athletic, have basketball savvy and are competitive. It’s a matter of trying to find enough playing time for everyone, but at this point, they’re good and have stood out in practice.”
Like in years past, Borseth said defense will be the key to success.
“We’re not quite as athletic as we’ve been in the past,” he said, “so, we need to be good on the defensive end. Offensively, we’re a bit better (than last season). We don’t design plays for our players – we try to make our players into players. We’re trying to teach our kids how to play, not run plays. We have lots of players who can play, but it’s about finding that mix that can play together.”
As usual, the Phoenix will play a difficult nonconference schedule.
Green Bay will play at South Dakota State, host North Dakota State, Chicago State and Central Michigan University, play in the Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas (Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist University) and travel to UW-Madison.
“It’s competitive,” Borseth said. “We’ll have our hands full, but hopefully, the other teams will have their hands full, too.”
In addition, Caelan Givens, Ellie Foster, Jasmine Kondrakiewicz, Sydney Levy, Julia Hartwig and Brooklyn Blackburn round out the roster.
Green Bay women’s basketball 2021-22 regular-season schedule
11/9 – @ South Dakota State – 6 p.m.
11/13 – North Dakota State – 1 p.m.
11/18 – Northern Kentucky – 7 p.m.
11/20 – Wright State – 1 p.m.
11/26 – Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas (Oklahoma State) – 3 p.m.
11/27 – Thanksgiving Shootout (SMU) – 3 p.m.
12/2 – @ Robert Morris – 6 p.m.
12/4 – @ Youngstown State – noon
12/12 – @ Wisconsin – 2 p.m.
12/16 – Chicago State – 7 p.m.
12/20 – Central Michigan – 7 p.m.
12/30 – Detroit Mercy – 7 p.m.
1/1 – Oakland – 1 p.m.
1/6 – @ IUPUI – 6 p.m.
1/8 – @ UIC – 1 p.m.
1/14 – Cleveland State – 7 p.m.
1/16 – Purdue Fort Wayne – 1 p.m.
1/21 – Milwaukee – 7 p.m.
1/23 – @ Milwaukee – noon
1/27 – @ Wright State – 5 p.m.
1/29 – @ Northern Kentucky – 1 p.m.
2/3 – Youngstown State – 7 p.m.
2/5 – Robert Morris – 1 p.m.
2/10 – @ Oakland – 6 p.m.
2/12 – @ Detroit Mercy – 1 p.m.
2/17 – UIC – 7 p.m.
2/19 – IUPUI – 1 p.m.
2/24 – @ Purdue Fort Wayne – 6 p.m.
2/26 – @ Cleveland State – 1 p.m.