Air Force women look to change fortunes
After a tough loss, athletes often express the desire to quickly return to the arena to make things right. So imagine the six returning letter-winners on the Air Force women’s basketball team, still stewing seven months after ending a disastrous 4-26 season on a 17-game losing streak.
“We’re way excited to finally get back on the court,” said junior guard Raimee Beck, a three-year starter who averaged 12.9 points last year and led the team in scoring 15 times. “We’re ready to prove that we can do better than last year.”
That goal starts at 6:15 p.m. Friday when the Falcons face Islander Tip-Off Tournament host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, then either Alabama or Tennessee Tech on Saturday before their Tuesday home opener against Adams State.
It’s quite the mix of players, featuring three returning starters, two who came off the bench and another returning from injury to go with nine freshmen.
Beck, who started all 30 games last year, joins point guard Anna Gault, who started 29 games as a freshman, to lead an experienced backcourt. In the blocks, 6-foot-2 junior center and returning starter Liz Dunsworth and Kathleen Schjodt, the team’s only senior, will be counted on for timely scoring and solid defense.
Air Force also returns junior Candice Chase, who missed last year due to injury, and sophomores Kira Gonzalez and Jamela Satterfield.
“We’ve got to be the youngest team in the nation with nine freshmen,” ninth-year coach Ardie McInelly said. “We’re throwing a lot at them, but we’re very excited about what they bring to our team.”
McInelly is already seeing solid dividends; Katie Hilbig of Castle Rock scored 10 points in just 13 minutes Nov. 6 in an exhibition against Colorado-Colorado Springs, while fellow rookie Dymond James had 10 points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes.
“We want to have a successful season,” McInelly said. “The biggest thing about a young team is how quickly they transfer drills from practices to games. As time goes on, that learning curve grows.”
