The Hillsdale College women's basketball team kicks off the G-MAC season with a tough challenge, embarking on its longest road trip in conference play to Kentucky and Tennessee to take on two squads that were both G-MAC Tournament qualifiers last season.
The Chargers hit the road, however, with some rare momentum, having earned back-to-back victories for just the third time in as many seasons. A strong showing on the road against two quality teams could be a huge confidence-builder for a Hillsdale team that's starting to turn the corner after two losing seasons.
Schedule
Hillsdale (2-3, 0-0 G-MAC) at Kentucky Wesleyan (3-3, 0-0 G-MAC) | 6:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 2 | Owensboro Sportscenter | Owensboro, KY
Hillsdale (2-3, 0-0 G-MAC) at Trevecca Nazarene (1-5, 0-0 G-MAC) | 3 p.m. CT Saturday, Dec. 4 | Trojan Fieldhouse | Nashville, TN
Follow/Watch
Live Stats vs KWC | Webcast vs KWC | Tickets vs KWC | Live Stats vs Trevecca | Webcast vs Trevecca | Tickets vs Trevecca
Additional Info
Hillsdale Roster | KWC Roster | Trevecca Roster | 2021-22 Hillsdale Stats | 2021-22 KWC Stats | 2021-22 Trevecca Stats
Projected Starters
Hillsdale: #2 Dani Salenbien, So., G, Adrian, MI/Lenawee Christian (6.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.4 apg); #22 Grace Touchette, Sr., G, Northfield, MN/Northfield (16.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.2 bpg); #5 Sydney Mills, Jr., F, DeWitt, MI/DeWitt (10.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.2 apg); #32 Arianna Sysum, Jr., F, Eaton Rapids, MI/Eaton Rapids (10.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg); #4 Peighton Nelson, Fr., G, Cottage Grove, WI/Monona Grove (6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.0 spg)
KWC: #5 Leah Richardson, Sr., G Albany, OH/Alexander/Murray St. University (5.8 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 apg); #22 Cali Nolot, Sr., F, New Salisbury, IN/North Harrison (14.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2 spg); #12 Jordyn Barga, Jr., F, Farmland, IN/Monroe Central (4.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.2 spg); #21 Tahlia Walton, Jr., F, Stanley, WI/Stanley-Boyd/UW-Milwaukee (18.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 spg); #2 Emma Johnson, Sr., F, Owensboro, KY/Daviess County/Murray St. University (6.5 ppg)
Trevecca: #11 Alexa Smiddy, Fr., G, Somerset, KY/Southwestern (9.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 apg); #24 Keeley Carter, So., G, Lafayette, TN/Macon County (14.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 1.3 spg); #23 Bayleigh Carmichel, Jr., G, Jonesborough, TN/Daniel Boone (7.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg); #10 Faith Wilken, Jr., G, Nolensville, TN/Page (10.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.2 spg); #45 Emma Palmer, Fr., Fr., F, Mount Juliet, TN/Mount Juliet (9.5 ppg, 5 rpg)
Scouting the Opposition
Kentucky Wesleyan: Always a contender for the G-MAC title and a NCAA Tournament berth, the Panthers pulled one of the most shocking upsets of the season so far on opening weekend, beating defending NCAA DII runner-up and then second-ranked Drury 76-75.
Outside of that, it's been a roller-coaster ride for Kentucky Wesleyan, who have lost to two regionally ranked teams in the Midwest, Illinois-Springfield and Missouri St. Louis, but picked up a quality win over Southwest Baptist as well.
The Panthers have one of the top players in the G-MAC in junior forward Tahlia Walton, a second-team All-Conference player last year who's averaging 18.8 points per game so far this season, with senior forward Cali Nolot providing additional scoring punch.
As is typical for Kentucky Wesleyan, the Panthers are extremely balanced, with nine players that average 13 or more minutes a game and a 10th averaging 8.3. KWC has used that depth over the years to overwhelm more top-heavy teams with an up-tempo pace, using fresher legs to seize control late in games.
The Panthers are coached by the husband and wife team of Caleb and Nicole Nieman, who are entering their 12th season at Wesleyan after compiling the best record through a decade in program history at 204-93. During their tenure, the Niemans have guided the Panthers to four NCAA tournament appearances and the first conference tournament title in program history in 2014.
Trevecca: The Trojans are a significantly different team from last season, with just five players returning that got minutes in 2020-21, though three that were at least part-time starters.
Those returners, led by high-scoring guards Keeley Carter and Faith Wilken, give the team some continuity. While she's only played in three of Trevecca's six games so far, Carter, in particular, looks like an All-Conference talent who will be tough to defend.
Freshmen and new faces are playing an important role so far for the Trojans. First-year starters Emma Palmer and Alexa Smiddy combine to average 18.8 points for Trevecca, and Palmer and fellow freshman Chloe Wills are especially critical as 6-2 anchors in the post for a Trojan team that otherwise lacks interior size.
While she's not a new face, Bayleigh Carmichel sat out all of last season but is consistently starting in 2021-22 for Trevecca, providing additional veteran depth for a team that has 10 freshmen and sophomores among its 15 players.
Trevecca Nazarene is coached by Chad Hibdon, who enters his sixth season in charge of the Trojans, with a 44-77 overall record and 34-53 mark in G-MAC play, and has led Trevecca to two of the past three G-MAC Tournaments.
Scouting Hillsdale
After a difficult, injury-plagued season in 2020-21, a mix of experienced returners and exciting incoming talent has the Hillsdale College women's basketball team aiming for a great leap forward in 2021-22.
The Chargers return four starters from last season's 4-17 team, led by junior forward Sydney Mills, who averaged 14.8 points and 10.4 rebounds and earned second-team All-G-MAC honors, and senior combo guard Grace Touchette, who chipped in 13.5 points as well. Both players are putting up similar averages so far through five games this season.
Along with those two dependable leaders, Hillsdale also returns two breakout players from 2020-21, junior Arianna Sysum and sophomore Dani Salenbien, who both performed well above expectations last season and have continued to improve this year with more experience under their belts. Freshman Peighton Nelson also has been an instant impact player, jumping into the starting lineup from the first game and providing significant contributions as a distributor and defender.
The Charger bench has been a strength so far this season. Sharpshooters Caitlin Splain and Lauren Daffenberg provide instant offense from 3-point range off the bench, while Maverick Delp and Carly Callahan have given the team additional post depth and energy as well.
Hillsdale is coached by Charlie Averkamp, who returns for his second season with the Chargers this year, along with two new assistants, Brianna Brennan and Brooke Bailey.
Other Notes
- The Chargers were picked to finish 11th in the G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll presented by Under Armour, in line with their 11th place finish in 2020-21. Hillsdale was picked to finish ahead of Lake Erie in 12th place, with two teams tied for ninth just ahead of the Chargers – Trevecca Nazarene and Ursuline. Walsh was picked as the favorite to win the league, with conference newcomer Ashland close behind in second place.
- Kentucky Wesleyan holds a 6-2 lead in the all-time series against Hillsdale, having won six straight dating back to Jan. 24, 2019, including both meetings last season. The Chargers' last win came on Jan. 25, 2018, in their first season in the G-MAC. Hillsdale, meanwhile has a 4-3 edge over Trevecca in their all-time series, thanks to a 84-68 Charger win in Nashville last season in the only meeting between the two teams in 2020-21.
- Although she stands just 5-foot-8 and is better known for her scoring and passing, senior Grace Touchette is currently leading the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in a stat more associated with centers than guards – blocks. Her six rejections through five games is tops in the G-MAC at this point. Touchette had just 13 blocks in her first three seasons, and looks like a safe bet to surpass her previous season high of eight with at least 23 games left in the season.
- Senior Lauren Daffenberg enters the season already entrenched high on the Chargers' all-time 3-pointers made list. Daffenberg is 5th in Hillsdale history in career made 3-pointers with 178, five behind Jenn Carlson (2003-07) and her 183 made 3-pointers for fourth all-time. The record-holder for the Chargers is Chelsea Harrison, with 237 made 3-pointers in her career. Daffenberg may not be the only active player on the list for long – senior Grace Touchette has 132 3-pointers, just three behind Liz Cibor's 135, and could break into the top 10 this weekend.
- While two seniors are working their way up the career list for made 3-pointers, freshman Caitlin Splain is also impressing from deep. With 16 made 3-pointers through five games, she's on pace for 90 on the season – which would break Brittany Gray's school record of 89 set in 2018-19. While there's a long way to go, it's an impressive start to her career at Hillsdale.
- Junior Sydney Mills had a breakout season as a sophomore, averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and a G-MAC leading 10.4 rebounds per game and earning second-team All-G-MAC honors. She's continuing that strong performance on the glass as a junior, averaging 9.8 rebounds in five games, good for second in the G-MAC so far. She had a single-game season best 17 rebounds against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 13.