FULTON, Mo.—The (RV) William Woods University women's basketball team returns to Anderson Arena on Saturday afternoon for its final regular season home game, as they will take on Park University on Senior Day. Tipoff will start at 2 p.m.
The Owls (19-7; 15-6 AMC), collected its 15
th American Midwest Conference (AMC) victory in its last time out on Thursday night, as they defeated St. Louis College of Pharmacy, 67-39. The team was led by sophomore
Kennedy Volkart, who registered a game-high 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and added eight rebounds.
At the conclusion of the game against the Pirates (13-11; 12-9 AMC), who will enter Anderson Arena on an impressive seven game winning streak, the Owls will honor its five seniors in
Dennisha Rice,
Destani Stensrud,
Blake French,
Lindsey Cornelius and
Paige Stewart.
"I think I'll remember them more for their personalities, than their talent, although they are a very talented bunch," said head coach
Dan Chapla. "They are just unique set of women, as four of them have been here all four years and we got Dennisha (Rice) two years ago. This is the most personal group I have coached."
Rice, a Poplar Bluff, Missouri, native, has been with the Owls for two seasons, after transferring from Three Rivers Community College. After averaging 3.8 points in her first year on campus, this season, Rice is having a career-year, averaging 6.2 points, while shooting 36.1 percent from the field.
"She has had two really good years' for us, as she has given us depth at the point guard position and has the ability to score," said Chapla. "She brought us quickness with the ability to shoot the 3-pointer and had a phenomenal game against Columbia that I'll remember and hopefully she has one or two of those types of games left."
Stensrud, has appeared in 116 games thus far in her four year career with William Woods. The Exeter, Missouri, native, has continually improved each season she has stepped out onto the court, as she holds a career average of 7.0 points per game and has been a focal point in the success of the offense from the guard position.
"Destani is a player who can create and can make things happen with the ball," said Chapla. "She is very athletic and talented, who has the ability to put the ball on the floor and sees the floor really well in transition. She has just been a really nice player for us in her career."
French, a St. Charles, Missouri, native, has started in 100 games out of 121 games played in her four seasons with WWU. The guard earned her first All-AMC honorable mention team award last season, after averaging 10.7 points, while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from downtown, 84.4 percent from the free throw line and tallied 101 rebounds. French currently has totaled 987 points in her career and is just 13 shy of 1,000.
"I think consistency is the one word that defines her," Chapla said. "I know what I'm going to get every night, which is a high motor, defends, makes great decisions, has had a positive assist/turnover ratio her entire career here and is overall just a really good player."
Cornelius, an Archie, Missouri, native, has played in 58 games since arriving on campus in 2011 and is currently having a career-year this season, as she is averaging 1.7 points, while shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from the three point line.
"She is a great person and has a great understanding of the game of basketball, as she could be a coach someday," Chapla said. "She has gotten better every year and may not have played as much as some of the other players, but she comes to practice every day, has persevered and is just a great all around person."
Stewart, a Ballwin, Missouri, native, has played in 79 games for the Owls since 2011. The senior was well on her way to having a career-year, as she was averaging 3.8 points per game, but an injury during practice limited her to 17 games on the season.
"Paige was playing a role for us this year, as she is a high motor, high energy, athletic player and was getting better offensively. She had played a little her sophomore year, more her junior season and then was playing a larger role this year, but sadly had an unfortunate injury. She is a great person with an amazing personality, as she is funny off and on the court and is always smiling."
The last time these two teams' met was back on January 10
th and the Owls were able to escape Parkville, Missouri, with a 61-56 victory, as four different players reached double-figures in points.
Park University, is coming off a 62-45 win over Missouri Baptist University on Thursday, as they shot 35.4 percent from the field in the win.
Leading the way on the night was Lauren Maclin, as she totaled a team-high 12 points off the bench and recorded a game-high 12 rebounds. Jordan Brown was the final Pirate to reach the double-digit plateau, as she scored 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting.
On the season, the Pirates are scoring 65.4 points per game and are being led by Channell Mackey, who is posting up 14.0 points on 37.0 percent shooting, while leading the team in assists (76) and steals (56). Lauren LaBonde is scoring 11.3 points, while Latice Butler is averaging 8.5 points on 44.9 percent shooting leads the team with 125 rebounds.
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuwols.com tomorrow night for a full recap and score from Anderson Arena.
