By John Kjorstad
The Forum
GRAND FORKS,
N.D. – Last spring, the University of North Dakota
women’s basketball team became the first of two national
champions from North Dakota. This year, the team is reaping the
benefits with a No. 1 ranking in the NCAA Division II
women’s bulletin.
UND head coach Gene Roebuck said he doesn’t bother much with the preseason rankings, but he has noticed.
"I don’t look at it as being anything at this point, other than it’s nice to be recognized," said Roebuck, whose team claimed a national championship with a 28-4 record before the hockey team won its NCAA Division I title last spring.
Roebuck also said the Sioux have been ranked No. 1 in years past, but until last year they had never proved it.
"I think to be ranked No. 1 at the end of the year is what you want to do," Roebuck said. "Again, it’s nice to have the recognition, but we still have to play a season."
For UND, that season doesn’t really get into full swing until Dec. 20, when North Dakota State travels to Grand Forks to kick off the North Central Conference season. The Bison, who were No. 1 much of last season, are ranked third in the nation.
"It will be a hard game for us to come out and start the season with NDSU because conference play is so different from our preseason games," said senior co-captain Tiffany Pudenz, who returns as UND’s second-leading scorer from last year with an average of 16.7 points per game.
Pudenz, along with her sophomore sister Jamie and Elisa Kabanuk, are being asked to help lead the Sioux back to another national title.
"I think we have three quality leaders who all have different qualities that set them apart," Roebuck said. "I think that they can do a lot of good for our team."
Jamie Pudenz stands to do most of her good on the court. The 5-foot-5 Pudenz returns this season after an amazing freshmen year in which she averaged nearly 12 points per contest. Last season she was the Elite Eight tournament most valuable player, NCC freshman of the year and an All-North Central Region selection.
"She’s our point guard, and she’s our quarterback," Roebuck said. "She showed a lot of maturity last year and I just feel that being in that position I think she can handle being a leader."
One thing UND should be able to handle this year is pressure. The Sioux return all but two players from last year’s team. They lost seniors Kelli Britz and Allison Derck. To replace those players, the Sioux brought in freshman Mandy Arndtson, Jenny Hoffner and sophomore transfer Michelle Busch.
Among key players returning to the Sioux this year are their two centers. Kami Winger and Jenny Crouse, both juniors, will need to excel in the paint to help open up UND’s outside shooters. Roebuck looks mostly to Crouse, who is already the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots and led the Sioux in scoring last year with a 17.1 average.
"Jenny’s worked really hard in the off-season," Roebuck said. "She’s stayed in Grand Forks both summers and worked on her conditioning and on her game. If she can stay away from injuries, I think she’s ready to make a big step and have a great year for us."