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Washburn women's basketball coach Ron McHenryWU Women Look to Continue Hot Start in Vegas
By David Boyce
Before leaving for Las Vegas to play in the Great Western Shootout, Washburn women's basketball coach Ron McHenry received a tip from his wife. It had nothing to do with basketball.
"Don't spend all our money," McHenry said his wife told him.
While McHenry expects some of his players to be dazzled by Vegas, the main objective for the Lady Blues is to win two games and return home undefeated.
"For some of our players it will be the first time they have seen Vegas and the bright lights," McHenry said. "It's a chance to see a different part of the country. I'm sure our players are excited about it. We will see some shows. We will eat a lot."
So far the Lady Blues have handled new experiences well. They are 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA. Washburn is the only team without a loss in conference play.
It's an impressive start by any standard. The thing that makes the start even more extraordinary is the way Washburn has smoothly replaced key players off last year's team.
The Lady Blues lost their top scorer and they lost their play-making point guard.
But Washburn is showing the MIAA that this is not a rebuilding year. Two of the conference victories have come on the road.
"We picked up some good road wins, and when you get some of those you are playing pretty good. We are playing almost better on the road than at home," he said.
"Everybody is a little nervous playing those early conference games. With the new group we have I was a little wary to go on the road with Northwest Missouri right off the bat. But we played pretty well.
"To get conference wins on the road in January is nice, but to get them in December is a big plus for us. It gives you a lot of confidence and lets you know you can play on the road and win at tough places."
The Lady Blues, ranked 11th in NCAA Division II, will face its stiffest challenge so far this season at 3 p.m. Wednesday when it takes on Western Washington, which is 5-0.
Washburn returns to action 1 p.m. Thursday and will play Central Washington, which is 2-5.
"Western Washington really has a nice group so it will be a challenge," McHenry said. "Central Washington is starting to get players healthy. It's going to be a learning process, but with a learning process you try to win games along the way."
Washburn is getting a nice blend from new and old players. Returning forward Dayna Rodriguez leads the team in scoring at 13.9 ppg and leads in rebounding at 6.7 rpg. Returning guard Hope Gregory is second in rebounding at 6.6 rpg and in a three-way tie for second in scoring at 10.1 ppg.
Sophomore Stevi Schultz and newcomer Amanda Fessenden are also averaging 10.1 points per game.
"This team is learning all the time," McHenry said. "Western Washington is a very talented group that brings a different look. With a new group you are always trying to teach things and different styles other teams are playing."
McHenry hopes the five days on the road together will help the team bond and get to know each other better.
Strong chemistry definitely helps when the MIAA portion of the schedule begins in earnest soon after Christmas.
The Lady Blues return home on Friday. McHenry said he will let his players go home for Christmas but they have to return to Topeka on Christmas evening or early on Dec. 26 for practice.
Washburn gets back into MIAA play Dec. 28 at home against Missouri Western.
The Lady Blues want to go into their next conference game with confidence, and the best way to do that is to have success in Vegas.
"This is one of those trips where you get to know each other better and along the way we want to win two games," McHenry said.
However, whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
To reach David Boyce, contributing writer for the MIAA, e-mail dboyce@themiaa.com.
