It is an exciting time to be a Saint Xavier sports fan. The women’s basketball team entered the 2016-17 season ranked 6th overall and are getting almost all of their key contributors back from last year.
Head coach Bob Hllberg, who is entering his 17th season at the position, has plenty of flexibility, leadership and depth on this roster. His two main weapons consist of senior guard Mikayla Leyden and junior guard Kara Krolicki.
The goal is a national championship, and this team has the talent to make it a reality.
Saint Xavier was a part of the Olivet Nazarene University Classic over the weekend. The series of games officially marked the tip off of the 2016 NAIA season.
The Cougars faced William Penn University on Friday, November 4th in their first contest and played well. Krolicki commanded the floor on offense and scored a game-high 32 points in a 97-78 winning effort.
Saint Xavier lived up to their lofty preseason hype by sprinting out to an early 18-2 lead and never looking back. With the help of nine three-point field goals and 18 forced turnovers, the women were in front 47-23 at halftime.
The Cougars were just about automatic from the floor all night. They shot 50 percent for the game and made 16 of 26 three point attempts in a convincing victory.
Saint Xavier hoped to carry their hot shooting hands into game two of the Olivet Invite against 15th ranked Briar Cliff University on Saturday, November 5th.
Freshman guard Maddie Welter emerged in just her second collegiate game with nine three-pointers made, which tied a program single game record. Welter led everyone in scoring with 29 points to help the Cougars convincingly defeat a top-15 opponent, 108-63.
Again, it was Saint Xavier jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. Junior guard Casey McMahon had tied her career high with 18 points, while Krolicki joined the fun with 16 points and four assists.
The Cougars were lights out from the field for the second straight day, as the women shot 54 percent from the field and hit half (23-for-46) of their three-point attempts.
Saint Xavier’s home opener is Saturday, November 12 at 1:00 PM against 8th ranked Davenport University.
Mike Rankin
Senior Sports Editor