The Gustavus women’s basketball team enters the 2005-06 season with optimism as three starters and 11 letterwinners return from a squad that posted a record of 18-8 overall and finished fifth in the MIAC with a mark of 13-7. Coach Mickey Haller will need to replace all-conference post Kristin Kachelmyer and starting guard Lacy Skoog, however she will look to build around all-conference post Bri Monahan and sophomore guard Jess Vadnais, who was named to the MIAC’s All-Rookie team last year. In addition, Haller returns a trio of veterans that includes senior wing Sara Boldt, senior point guard Marit Sviggum, and junior post Erin Boese.
In the post, the Gusties will rely on the junior duo of Monahan and Boese. Monahan, the team’s leading returning scorer, averaged 14.5 points per game last year. A very athletic player, Monahan is as capable shooting on the perimeter as she is scoring on the block. She is also a good rebounder as she averaged 7.7 boards per game last season. Boese, who came off the bench to spell Kachelmyer and Monahan last year, is expected to step into the starting lineup this season. She played in every game a year ago, averaging 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, while playing about 17 minutes a game. Sophomore Kenzie Consoer and newcomer Vicky Peterson will provide depth in the post. Consoer who played regularly as a freshman last season, is a high-energy player who gives the team a boost both defensively and on the boards. Peterson, a sophomore transfer from St. Olaf, played in 19 games for the Oles a year ago and averaged 2.8 points per game.
On the perimeter, the team will be led by the senior duo of Sara Boldt and Marit Sviggum. Boldt, who has started every game for the Gusties for the past two seasons, averaged 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last year. She is an aggressive defensive player who ranks ninth at Gustavus in career steals with 154. Sviggum, who played in all 24 games last season, averaged 15 minutes a game as the backup to point guard Lacy Skoog. She is strong ballhandler, who provides a calming presence on the floor for the Gusties. Joining Boldt and Sviggum on the perimeter will be sophomore Jess Vadnais. Vadnais, a gifted shooter, averaged 12.4 points per game a year ago and led the team in three-point shooting connecting on 41-of-109 attempts. Senior Missy Mills, junior Alyssa Brooks, and sophomore Erin Luhmann will provide depth on the wing, while senior Michelle Linbo and newcomers Mollie Kelly and Ashley Raymo will challenge for time with Sviggum at the point guard position. The battle for playing time and leadership at the point will be a key for the Gusties this season.
Coach Haller, who is beginning her sixth season as head coach, needs just six wins to claim her 100th win at Gustavus. She has compiled a mark of 94-38 in her first five seasons with the program. Haller has put together a challenging schedule for the team starting with an exhibition game at Division II Minnesota State. Mankato on November 4. The Gusties will open the regular season with a non-conference game against regional rival Wartburg in Waverly, Iowa on November 22 and then they will take part in the UW-Eau Claire Thanksgiving Tournament on November 25-26. The squad will open MIAC play at home against Hamline on Wednesday, November 30. One new twist to the Gusties conference schedule this season involves the playing of doubleheaders with the men’s program. As a result, the women will tip-off at 5:45 on Monday and Wednesday games and 1:00 pm on Saturday games.
General Information
School Name: Gustavus Adolphus College
Location: St. Peter, Minnesota
Founded: 1862
Enrollment: 2,568
Nickname: Golden Gusties
School Colors: Black and Gold
Gym: Lund Forum/Gus Young Court
Capacity: 3,500
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
President: Jim Peterson
Athletic Director: Al Molde
Athletic Phone: 507-933-7622
History
First year of basketball: 1968
All-time play-off record: 4-6
Years in post-season play: 6
Last post-season appearance: 2004-2005/ Result: St. Mary’s L 67-77 MIAC First Round
All-time record: 467-352
Sports Information
Sports Information Dir.: Tim Kennedy
SID office phone: 507-933-7647
Home phone: 507-931-2642
SID Fax: 507-933-8412
Press Box phone: 507-933-7668
E-Mail: timgasid@gustavus.edu
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Madeline “Mickey” Haller
Alma Mater/Year: Phillips University/1983
Record at school (years): 94-38 (five)
Career record: 137-71
Head Coach’s office phone: 507-933-6145
Best time/day to reach coach: 1 pm to 3 pm (M — F)
Assistant Coach
Aaron Kahl/Gustavus ’00/Fifth year
Player & Team Information
Overall record last year: 14-10
Conference record/finish: 12-8/ Fifth
Letterwinners returning/lost: 9/3
Starters Returning/lost: 3/2
Key Returning Players
Jess Vadnais, Guard, FY, 5-6 (12.4 ppg. 2.8 rpg. 63 A, All First-Year Team)
MacKenzie Consoer, Post, FY, 5-8 (1.9 ppg. 2.9 rpg.)
Sara Boldt, Guard, Junior, 5-9 (7.8 ppg. 4.1 rpg,.55 A, 43 Stl.)
Bri Monahan, Post, Sophomore, 6-0 (14.6 ppg. 7.7 rpg. 50 Stl. 25 Blocks, All Conference Team)
Erin Boese, Post, Junior, 5-11 (5.4 ppg. 2.9 rpg.)
Marit Sviggum, Guard, Senior, 5-4 (.5 ppg. 18 A)
Key Newcomers
Ashley Raymo, Guard, FY, 5-3, Worthington, MN, Worthington High School
Mollie Kelly, Guard, FY, 5-4, Shakopee, MN, Shakopee High School
Vicky Peterson, Post, SO, 5-10, Plymouth, MN, Transfer from St. Olaf
Key Losses
Lacy Skoog, Guard, graduated, (8.2 ppg. 2.5 rpg. 88 A, 33 Stls)
Kristin Kachelmyer, Post, graduated (13.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg. 35 Blocks, 42 A, All Conference Team, All Defense Team)