Women's Basketball Preview - Part 9: UW-Green Bay

Nov. 9, 2006

The UW-Green Bay women's basketball team matured greatly over a 2005-06 campaign which featured a completely revamped starting lineup by the team's sixth game of the year. That starting lineup, along with five other returning letterwinners, is back for this season with the goal of taking the Phoenix back to the NCAA tournament.

UW-Green Bay's starting lineup from its 23-7 squad last season features defending Horizon League Player of the Year Nicole Soulis along with fellow senior and second-team all-league pick Natalie Berglin. The Green Bay, Wis., natives are joined by classmate Amanda Popp, junior Kayla Groh and sophomore Rachel Porath in the likely starting rotation, which represents over 80 percent of the team's offense from 2005-06.

Along with the depth of 10 returning letterwinners, head coach Kevin Borseth has added five newcomers that will provide depth at all five positions.

THE BACKCOURT

Leading the way at the guard position is senior Natalie Berglin, who finished last season second on the squad in scoring (14.3 ppg) and was named the team MVP by her peers. For her career, Berglin boasts an impressive 1.71 assist/turnover ratio and is on pace to finish in the top five in team history for career assists. With a season similar to her junior campaign, the speedy and dynamic Berglin could also become just the third player in UW-Green Bay history to tally 1,000 career points and 400 career assists.

One of the most underrated players in the Horizon League is senior guard Amanda Popp, who came on strong as a first-year starter to finish third on the team in scoring last season. Popp, who led the team in three-point field goal percentage (.440) and was fourth in the league with a .515 field goal percentage, will once again be called upon to provide a scoring punch.

After her first season as a starter, junior Kayla Groh will be looked upon to provide more spark both offensively and defensively as a seasoned veteran. An athletic shooter by nature, Groh brought consistency for UW-Green Bay on both ends of the court, as she ranked in the top four on the squad in scoring, assists and steals.

As a rookie, Kati Harty had an immediate impact for the Phoenix as a reserve. This season, with a bounty of experience after averaging 16.9 minutes per game in 28 contests, the sophomore guard should provide UW-Green Bay with some punch and panache off the bench.

Also returning for the Phoenix in the backcourt are a pair of veterans that will provide depth to the squad. Senior guard Alex Webster aims to cap her career with a bang this season after seeing action in 22 games last season. UW-Green Bay also returns sophomore Trisha Legois, who made 13 appearances as a first-year reserve.

Two local products join the Phoenix guard corps this season. Heather Golden from nearby De Pere, Wis., was a state champion with the Redbirds in 2005. Celeste Hoewisch, a tenacious player with a wealth of drive, comes to UW-Green Bay after a stellar prep career at Hortonville (Wis.) High School.

THE FRONTCOURT

Arguably one of the top players in UW-Green Bay history, senior Nicole Soulis is primed for a strong campaign in her final season for the Phoenix. The defending Horizon League Player of the Year led the league with 18.4 points per game and also ranked in the top five in rebounding and field goal percentage. A versatile post who can score from close range as well as the perimeter, Soulis causes plenty of matchup problems.

Redshirt sophomore Rachel Porath showed her versatility, playing both guard and forward positions in her first year as a starter. Named to the Horizon League all-newcomer team last year, Porath was just the second freshman in UW-Green Bay Division I history to start every game in her first campaign, averaging 5.8 points per contest.

UW-Green Bay's top reserve in the paint last year was Lavesa Glover. The 6-3 center was second among the reserves in scoring and was second on the squad in blocks. Glover will be called upon to again provide depth to the frontcourt along with some muscle in the paint.

Sophomore Erin Templin saw action in 22 contests as a reserve last season and aims to break into the Phoenix regular rotation this year. The forward had a knack for the offensive boards, as 47 percent of her rebounds last year were offensive caroms.

A trio of newcomers bolster the UW-Green Bay roster for 2006-07. Local product Morgan Faase earned all-area accolades after a successful prep career at Notre Dame Academy. At 6-3, the Green Bay, Wis., native will bring the uncoachable aspect of height to the roster as one of the tallest players in Phoenix history.

Rounding out the interior players are freshmen Staci and Tressa Beckel, identical twin sisters from Waseca, Minn. The first set of twins in UW-Green Bay women's basketball history, the athletic tandem will bring a new look to the Phoenix lineup. Both were standouts in prep track and field, while Tressa was the national champion in the high jump at the Nike Outdoor Nationals last June.

2006-07 SCHEDULE

A challenging schedule once again awaits the Phoenix, as UW-Green Bay will look to extend its streak of 29 consecutive winning seasons. The Phoenix could potentially play nine teams that made postseason appearances in 2006, including NCAA Sweet 16 participant DePaul at the Phoenix Sports Center Nov. 29.

WNIT champion Kansas State and WNIT runner-up Marquette will host UW-Green Bay on Nov. 10 and Nov. 20, respectively. The Phoenix will also take on NCAA tournament teams Oakland, Minnesota, Iowa and potentially Northern Arizona as well as WNIT participant Indiana State in non-conference action, with Oakland, Iowa and Indiana State coming to Green Bay.

UW-Green Bay will start the 2006-07 Horizon League season at home, as the Phoenix will look to avenge its 2006 league tournament loss to UIC Dec. 28. Five of the team's first six Horizon League contests are at home, including its Jan. 13 matchup with UW-Milwaukee.

The 2007 Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship retains the structure it has had in the past three seasons. First round games will be hosted by the top four seeded schools March 7, with the semifinals and final heading to the top remaining seed March 9 and 11.

PSC FINALE

The 2006-07 season also marks the end of an era, as it will be the final campaign for UW-Green Bay at the Phoenix Sports Center. The Phoenix will move to the currently-under-construction Kress Events Center for the 2007-08 season. UW-Green Bay's regular season finale at the Phoenix Sports Center is set for Feb. 24 versus Butler.

Since calling the PSC home for the first time in the 1976-77 season, UW-Green Bay has amassed an incredible 287-63 all-time record at its home venue, making the Phoenix Sports Center one of the toughest places to play in Division I women's basketball.