2007-2008 Women's Basketball Weekly Release #1 (November 12)

This Week's Schedule

Sat., Nov. 17 - at University of North Dakota, 6 p.m., CST

Week in Review

The Lady Yellowjackets are primed for their first season in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  MSUB played three exhibition games over the last two weeks in preparation for this weekend's opening contests against Minnesota State Moorhead and the University of North Dakota at the UND Classic held in Grand Forks, N.D. 

The Lady Yellowjackets fell 70-58 in their first exhibition game of the season against cross-town rival Rocky Mountain College only to rebound four days later with a 78-60 win over the Bears in Alterowitz Gymnasium.  Wrapping up the preseason, the Jackets traveled to Bozeman to play Division I opponent Montana State University.  The Lady Jackets led for several minutes of the game before the Bobcats took control in the second half going on to win 78-55.

Alira Carpenter returns to the line-up as the Lady Jackets leading scorer.  Carpenter, a guard from Lewistown, Mont., posted 542 points last season and broke the single season record for three pointers knocking down 88 from long range.  The ever feisty Shantell Marquis is sure to rack up the steals this season after snatching a team-leading 73 in 06-07.  Eight of the eleven players on the roster return to the court with the addition of last season's redshirt player Mandy Jacobs.  Newcomers Kayla Ryan and Quinn Halverson will surely be a great addition to the team's lineup.

After last season's appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament, the Lady Jackets will need to earn respect all over again as they were picked to finish sixth in the GNAC coaches poll released earlier this season.  Omnipotent teams Seattle Pacific, University of Alaska Anchorage and Western Washington University all made the trip to last year's NCAA Tournament as well and were ranked ahead of MSUB in the GNAC preseason poll.

From the GNAC:
LAST WEEK: Monday    – Alaska Anchorage 70 at Washington State 64 (OT; exh).  Tuesday   – Rocky Mountain 60 at MSU Billings 78 (exh); Seattle Pacific 75 at Washington 67 (exh).  Wednesday – Central Washington 56 at Eastern Washington 61 (exh).  Friday – Northwest Nazarene 54 at Weber State 75 (exh); Concordia 66 at Western Oregon 79 (exh); Evergreen State 59 at Saint Martin's 91(exh); Pacific Lutheran 57 at Western Washington 56 (ot). Sunday – MSU Billings 55 at Montana State 78 (exh). 

UPCOMING: Tuesday   – Western Oregon at Oregon State (exh).   Friday – SPU Sodexho Tip-Off (Central Washington vs. North Alabama, 1 p.m.; Seattle Pacific vs. Regis, 5 p.m.); North Dakota Invitational (Moorhead State vs. MSU Billings, 4 p.m.); CSU Stanislaus Classic (Northwest Nazarene vs. Cal State Stanislaus, 7:30 p.m.); Notre Dame De Namur Tip-Off (Western Oregon vs. Humboldt State, 4 p.m.); BYU-Hawaii at Western Washington; Seattle at Northwest, 6 p.m.  Saturday - SPU Sodexho Tip-Off (Central Washington vs. Regis, 1 p.m.; Seattle Pacific vs. North Alabama, 5 p.m.); North Dakota Invitational (North Dakota State vs. MSU Billings, 6 p.m.); CSU Stanislaus Classic (Northwest Nazarene vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills, 5:30 p.m.); BYU-Hawaii at Seattle, 3 p.m.; Notre Dame De Namur Tip-Off (Western Oregon vs. Cal State San Bernardino, 4 p.m.).  Monday (Nov. 19) – BYU-Hawaii at Saint Martin's.  Tuesday (Nov. 20) – UAA Great Alaska Shootout (UAA vs. Cleveland State, 6 p.m.).

GNAC COACHES POLL: 1. Seattle Pacific (5) 99; 2. Alaska Anchorage (4) 95; 3. Western Washington (1) 80; 4. Seattle 71; 5. 57; 6. Montana State Billings 56; 7. Central Washington 43; 8. Saint Martin's 24; 9. Western Oregon and Alaska Fairbanks 19. (Note: First-place votes in parenthesis. Points awarded on 11-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis).

AROUND THE GNAC: GNAC teams are 5-6 in exhibition games, including 2-4 against NCAA Division I programs.  The Division I wins were both against Pac10 teams as Alaska Anchorage beat Washington State in overtime and Seattle Pacific surprised the University of Washington.    The exhibition season concludes Tuesday with Western Oregon playing at Oregon State.

Click HERE for the complete GNAC weekly release

Upcoming Opponents

The Dragons are set to open their 2007-2008 campaign at the UND tournament.
Moorhead finished 21-10 last season and were 13-5 in the Northern Sun Conference.  The team was picked to finish second in the Northern Sun Conference for 2007-08 in a recent coaches poll.

All-time Series:  Teams are tied 1-1
Last Meeting: MSUB def. Moorhead 69-62 on Dec. 8, 1995

University of North Dakota (webpage) - The Fighting Sioux look to continue their strong tradition in women's basketball as they were recently ranked No. 1 in the country by both USA TODAY ESPN and the DII Bulletin.  UND wrapped up the 2006-07 season going 32-4 overall and were 10-2 in the North Central Conference.  The Sioux posted a convincing 94-43 exhibition win over the University of Winnipeg last week and will open their regular season this weekend as they host the UND Classic.

All-time Series:  UND leads the series 5-0
Last Meeting: UND def. MSUB 71-62 on Nov. 18, 2006  

The Standings

2007 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Standings
(Through games of Nov. 11, 2007)

The Polls

NCAA West Region (first poll released in February)

The GNAC Leaders

Click HERE for 2007 GNAC stats leaders

The Players

The Last Time in Yellowjacket Volleyball

A player scored at least 30 points — Feb. 24, 2007 (Michelle Lieber, 32 vs. St. Edward's)

A player made at least 15 field goals — Feb. 19, 2000 (Codi Schmitz vs. SEattle)

A player made seven 3-pointers — Dec. 30, 2006 (Alira Carpenter vs. Oklahoma Panhandle)

A player made six 3-pointers— Feb. 17, 2007 (Kayla McPherson vs. Texas - Permian Basin)

A player made five 3-pointers — Feb. 17, 2007 (Alira Carpenter vs. Texas - Permian Basin)

A player made at least 15 free throws — Nov. 30, 2002 (Natalie Visger vs. St. Martin's)

A player made at least 10 free throws— Feb. 24, 2007 (Michelle Lieber, 12/15 vs. St. Edward's)

A player had at least 20 rebounds — Dec. 20, 2003 (Robyn Milne, 22 vs. Alaska-Fairbanks)

A player had at least 15 rebounds— SNov. 17, 2006 (Michelle Lieber, 16 vs. Western Oregon)

A player had at least 10 assists— Feb. 19, 2000 (Deena Bartu, 13 vs. Seattle)

A player had at least 5 assists — Mar. 2, 2007 (Jennifer Skrifvars, 5 vs. St. Mary's)

A player had a least 5 blocked shots - Feb. 18, 2006 (Tanya Petersen, 6 vs. St. Mary's)

A player had at least 5 steals— Feb. 22, 2007 (Shantell Marquis, 8 vs. TX A&M - Int'l)

A player had a double-double — Mar. 3, 2007 (Michell Lieber, 16pts./10rbs vs. Incarnate Word)

The team scored at least 100 points — Sept. 2, 2006 (77 vs. Fort Lewis)

The team scored at least 90 points— Sept. 8, 2006 (116 vs. Central Okla.)

The team allowed at least 100 points — Sept. 29, 2007 (16.0 vs. Cent. Washington)

The team made at least 40 field goals — Oct. 20, 2007 (12.0 vs. Alaska Fairbanks)

The team shot over 60% from the field— Sept. 8, 2006 (116 vs. Central Okla.)

The team shot over 50% from the field — Sept. 29, 2007 (16.0 vs. Cent. Washington)

The team made at least 15 3-pointers - Oct. 20, 2007 (12.0 vs. Alaska Fairbanks)

The team made at least 10 3-pointers— Oct. 20, 2006 (.400 vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State)

The team made 30 free throws — Oct. 11, 2007 (70 vs. Western Oregon)

The team made 25 free throws — Sept. 2, 2006 (77 vs. Fort Lewis)

The team had at least 60 rebounds— Sept. 8, 2006 (116 vs. Central Okla.)

The team had at least 60 rebounds— Sept. 29, 2007 (16.0 vs. Cent. Washington)

The team had at least 30 assists — Oct. 20, 2007 (12.0 vs. Alaska Fairbanks)

The team had at least 25 assists - Oct. 20, 2007 (12.0 vs. Alaska Fairbanks)

The team had at least 20 assists— Oct. 20, 2006 (.400 vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State)

The team had at least 10 blocked shots — Oct. 11, 2007 (70 vs. Western Oregon)

The team had at least 5 blocked shots — Sept. 2, 2006 (77 vs. Fort Lewis)

The team had at least 20 steals— Sept. 8, 2006 (116 vs. Central Okla.)

The team had at least 15 steals— Sept. 29, 2007 (16.0 vs. Cent. Washington)

The School Records (records that include 2007-2008 in bold)

Points
Game - 1. Shelley Altrogge (43)
Season – 1. Shelley Altrogge (691); 5. Alira Carpenter (542)
Career – 1. Tera Silivius (1,630); 22. Alira Carpenter (858)

Field Goals
Game - 1. Evonne Goroski (16/26)
Season – 1. Shelley Altrogge (282); 10. Alira Carpenter (196)
Career – 1. Evonne Goroski (680)

Field Goal Percentage
Game - 1. Alicia Cahill, 100% (10/10)
Season – 1. Michelle Lieber (68.1)
Career – 1. Michelle Lieber (66.45)

3-Pointers
Game - 1. Alira Capenter, 7/11
Season – 1. Alira Carpenter (88); 4. Kayla McPherson (64)
Career – 1. Amy Winslow (194); 5. Alira Carpenter (133); 13. Kayla McPherson (84)

3-Point Percentage
Game - 1. Alira Carpenter, 100% (5/5)
Season – 1. Becky Jacobs (50.00); 9. Alira Carpenter (42.51)
Career – 1. Amy Winslow (43.30); 2. Alira Carpenter (40.30); 5. Kayla McPherson (39.81); 10. Jetton Meadors (36.27)

Free Throws
Game - 1. Shelley Altrogge (16/21)
Season – 1. Sherry McQuinn (184)
Career – 1. Sherry McQuinn (392)

Free Throw Percentage
Game - 1. Sherry McQuinn, 100% (13/13)
Season – 1. Alira Carpenter (88.57)
Career – 1. Lisa Jellum (84.50)

Rebounds
Game - 1. Grace Grabofsky (26)
Season – 1. Shelley Altrogge (376)
Career – 1. Robyn Milne (957)

Assists
Game - 1. Deena Bartu (13)
Season – 1. Amy Winslow (183)
Career – 1. Amy Winslow (585)

Blocked Shots
Game - Jessie Henigman (9); 36. Shantell Marquis (4)
Season – 1. Robyn Milne (104); 20. Shantell Marquis (20)
Career – 1. Robyn Milne (278) No. 13 in NCAA DII History

Steals
Game - 1. Colleen Day Wiechman (9); 2. Shantell Marquis (8)
Season – 1. Amy Winslow (112); 4. Shantell Marquis (73)
Career – 1. Amy Winslow (343)

Schedule & Results

The Coaches

Kevin Woodin, Head Coach
Kevin Woodin enters his fourth season as the head women's basketball coach at MSU Billings in 2007-2008.  He has posted a 61-26 overall record in his first three seasons, capturing two Heartland Conference regular season titles and once conference tournament championship.  Two of Woodin's three teams have qualified for the NCAA Tournament.  His first win of the 2007-2008 season will move him to No. 3 in school history for career wins.

Woodin became the Lady Yellowjackets' eleventh head women's basketball coach when he took over on July 23, 2004.  He had been the head girl’s basketball coach at Billings West High School for the past ten seasons.  In that time, he led the Lady Bears to a 138-81 record (.630), including back-to-back Class AA state titles in 2003 and 2004.  Woodin’s Bears were a perfect 23-0 in 2004's title run and won the final 36 games Woodin coached at the school.  He earned Montana AA Coach of the Year honors in 2003 and 2004, and was a finalist for the award in 1999 and 2002.

A native of Libby, Mont., Woodin graduated with a degree in mathematics from Carroll College in 1987.  While teaching and coaching at O’Dea High School in Seattle, he earned his masters degree in Athletic Administration from Seattle Pacific University in 1992.  Woodin taught mathematics at O’Dea High School from 1987 to 1994 while also coaching boy’s basketball, golf and tennis.  He was named O’Dea’s Outstanding Teacher of the year in 1990-1991 and the Metro League Golf Coach of the Year three times.

Woodin moved to Billings in 1994 to take over the girl’s program at West High School where he has also taught mathematics.   Along with leading the Lady Bears to State AA tournament hardware in four of his last six seasons, Woodin was also an assistant coach on the Montana All-Star Team and an Executive Committee member and coach for the Treasure State Classic.  At West High, Woodin coached 19 players who went on to play collegiate basketball.

Before the Montana High School Association moved the girl’s basketball season to the winter, Woodin was a part time assistant coach at MSU Billings from 2000-2003.  Responsible for practice and game planning, recruiting, scouting, individual skill development, travel and coordinating the Billings Bees camps, Woodin helped the Lady Yellowjackets to two NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons.

Woodin has been married to his wife Paula for 20 years, and they have three children (Kayleen, 14; Toria, 11; Garrett, 9).  His parents, Pete and Loretta Erickson, formerly of Roundup, Montana, reside in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Natalie Visger, Assistant Coach
The 2007-2008 season will be Visger's second as a full-time assistant for the Lady Jacket basketball team.  She is a 2003 graduate of Montana State University-Billings.  She earned a bachelor of science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a 3.91 GPA.  As a senior in 2003 Visger was named the Outstanding Biology Senior.

“I am very excited to have Natalie join our staff at MSUB,” said Woodin.  “She brings a tremendous amount of experience to the program, both as a player and as a coach.  We are very fortunate to have her, and I am confident she will have a positive impact upon our program.  Natalie’s duties will include directing and assisting with the pre- and postseason weight training and conditioning program, game and practice preparation, recruiting, film exchange, scouting, academic monitoring, travel arrangements, basketball camps and tournaments, and individual skill development.”

Visger was a four-year standout on the basketball court for the Lady Yellowjackets.  As a two-time team captain she helped the Yellowjackets reach three NCAA Tournaments in four years.  As a freshman and sophomore Visger was an All-Pacific West Conference selection.  As a senior she was named the Montana State University-Billings Outstanding Female Student-Athlete.

Known as a tenacious competitor, Visger made several impressions in the Yellowjacket record books.  She still ranks twelfth in school history for scoring with 1,219 career points.  She is also in the career top 10 for free throws made, free throw percentage, rebounds, and rebounding average.

After graduating in 2003, Visger played professionally in Europe for three seasons.  In 2003-2004 she played for TV-Langen in Langen, Germany.  She finished the season ranked second in the league for scoring average at 20.7 ppg. 

In 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Visger played for ASG Theresianum Mainz in Mainz, Germany.  In the ‘04-‘05 season she was again second in the league for scoring at 18.5 ppg and led her team to a second place finish in the league.  Last year along with playing for the Women's first team, which again finished second in the league, she was the head coach for the Women's third team.  In addition to playing professional basketball, Visger, who speaks fluent German, worked as a document translator for STI Security Training International GmbH in Wiesbaden, Germany.

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