VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team opens their season Thursday, Oct. 24, at home when they host NCAA Division II school Minot State University. The matchup will feature a doubleheader as the women tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow. The game will be an exhibition game for both teams and will not count towards their overall record.
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The Vikings went 14-14 last season and 7-7 in the conference as they finished third last season. Valley City State is picked to finish third again in the NSAA preseason coaches’ poll.
After adding nine new players to their roster this season, preseason activities have been critical leading up to the season opener.
“Preseason training has been effective for us to get everyone on the same page. Once we can get that to happen this is going to be a special group,” says head coach Vanessa Johnson.
Valley City State returns seniors Mackenzie Huber and Emily Schafer to lead the Vikings this season. Huber was an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention last season and was an All-Conference First Team pick. She averaged 13.8 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game last season. Schafer averaged 4.8 points per game and 2.2 rebounds per game. Additional returners include Gabby Martin, Zoie Breckheimer, Allison Bartholomay, and Alexis Bentz.
Some of the new faces this season include Macey Kvilvang, a 6’5 center, who joins the Vikings from North Dakota State, an NCAA Division I program. Guards Dani Schwanke and Maara Nelson both transferred from Lake Region State College to join the Vikings roster. The group of newcomers also includes six freshmen.
“I am very proud of this group for their work in the offseason,” says Johnson, who is in her third season leading the Vikings. “With nine new faces to our program, it is critical to get them acclimated as soon as possible and that takes buy in and hard work during the off season. Adding this recruiting class to our core of returners is exciting and I can’t wait to see what they can accomplish together.”
Valley City State travels to Mount Marty College and No. 7 Dakota Wesleyan before returning home Nov. 2 and 3, when they host Providence College. The Vikings open conference play on Dec. 7, when they travel to Dickinson State to take on the Blue Hawks.