Spring Break
Editorial: Women's basketball - Thanks for a great season!
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: Opinions
Yes, the Eastern women's basketball team lost for the second season in a row in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship.
No, there are no NCAA Tournament bids. And the Women's National Invitational Tournament is a long outside chance.
But this program has a come a long way. They used to be at the bottom of the league. The easy win on the schedule.
Now, the Panthers are at the top of the league. A lot of that work was on the labor of the seniors and juniors.
"We wanted to come in here and change something," said senior forward Lindsey Kluempers. "We want to make a name for this program."
And they did.
The Panthers had never challenged for a conference title before. They made the tourney title game for the first time last season. They got to host a first-round game for the first time last season. They built a strong 20-game winning steak in Lantz Arena.
They played defense and executed their offense.
They gave Eastern pride in its women's basketball program.
They set the Division I program record for number of wins this season (24).
"They really picked this program up," Eastern junior forward Maggie Kloak said.
Now the task will be to continue the program. And while five seniors - Julie Lipperd, Ellen Canale, Megan Edwards, Lindsey Kluempers and Rachel Galligan - have given a lot to this program, there's still work to be done.
It's not going to be easy to maintain the program where it is. There are a lot of other competitive teams in the league. Austin Peay, the OVC Tournament Champion, only had one senior on its team.
But with Kloak, junior guard Ashley Thomas, red-shirt junior guard Dominique Sims, freshman guard Pilar Walker and freshman forward Chantelle Pressley - there is a solid foundation.
Add in junior guard Lauren Sturtevant, freshman guard Madeline Kish and junior forward Marie Baker and a five-member recruiting class, there is a possibility that this team has the tools for success.
It won't be easy, but this team knows about winning (43-22 in two seasons) and how to win.
That desire, along with the right players and the right coaching, can lead to more successful seasons.
These past two seasons have been a thrill, and something Eastern won't forget.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at DENopinions@gmail.com.
No, there are no NCAA Tournament bids. And the Women's National Invitational Tournament is a long outside chance.
But this program has a come a long way. They used to be at the bottom of the league. The easy win on the schedule.
Now, the Panthers are at the top of the league. A lot of that work was on the labor of the seniors and juniors.
"We wanted to come in here and change something," said senior forward Lindsey Kluempers. "We want to make a name for this program."
And they did.
The Panthers had never challenged for a conference title before. They made the tourney title game for the first time last season. They got to host a first-round game for the first time last season. They built a strong 20-game winning steak in Lantz Arena.
They played defense and executed their offense.
They gave Eastern pride in its women's basketball program.
They set the Division I program record for number of wins this season (24).
"They really picked this program up," Eastern junior forward Maggie Kloak said.
Now the task will be to continue the program. And while five seniors - Julie Lipperd, Ellen Canale, Megan Edwards, Lindsey Kluempers and Rachel Galligan - have given a lot to this program, there's still work to be done.
It's not going to be easy to maintain the program where it is. There are a lot of other competitive teams in the league. Austin Peay, the OVC Tournament Champion, only had one senior on its team.
But with Kloak, junior guard Ashley Thomas, red-shirt junior guard Dominique Sims, freshman guard Pilar Walker and freshman forward Chantelle Pressley - there is a solid foundation.
Add in junior guard Lauren Sturtevant, freshman guard Madeline Kish and junior forward Marie Baker and a five-member recruiting class, there is a possibility that this team has the tools for success.
It won't be easy, but this team knows about winning (43-22 in two seasons) and how to win.
That desire, along with the right players and the right coaching, can lead to more successful seasons.
These past two seasons have been a thrill, and something Eastern won't forget.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Believe
posted 3/09/09 @ 3:17 PM CST
Believe! Go Big Blue! What a great season and what amazing student-athletes! You have made EIU proud! E_I_E_I_EIU!
Omar
posted 3/09/09 @ 5:40 PM CST
EI EI EI U!!!!!!!! We dared to dream with you ladies all season! Thanks for all the great memories!
John Poshepny
posted 3/09/09 @ 8:31 PM CST
Thanks for the memories girl. I know I sure dared to dream with you girls all year.
Noelle
posted 3/09/09 @ 9:36 PM CST
What a great year the lady panthers have had, and what fun you have been to watch over the last 4 years. This team and coaching staff has certainly exceeded expectations, and you get better every year. (Continued…)
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