The Hillsdale College women's basketball team was expecting improvement in 2021-22, but what's transpired so far has been more than that.
So far, the Chargers have doubled their win total from all of last season in just 12 games -- and at 5-1 in G-MAC play, are still in the conference title race as the season nears its halfway point.
This week, Hillsdale's mettle and status as contenders will be tested with home contests against two tough opponents who both have designs on at least a top-four finish in the G-MAC, if not more, in Malone and Walsh.
You can stream the games live on the internet (links below), or come out to Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena in person to catch the action of what should be two top-notch contests.
Schedule
Walsh (8-3, 3-2 G-MAC) at Hillsdale (8-4, 5-1 G-MAC) | 5:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 6 | Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena | Hillsdale, MI
Malone (7-5, 3-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale (8-4, 5-1 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Saturday, Jan. 8 | Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena | Hillsdale, MI
Follow/Watch
Live Stats vs Walsh | Webcast vs Walsh | Tickets vs Walsh | Live Stats vs Malone | Webcast vs Malone | Tickets vs Malone
Additional Info
Hillsdale Roster | Walsh Roster | Malone Roster | 2021-22 Hillsdale Stats | 2021-22 Walsh Stats | 2021-22 Malone Stats
Projected Starters
Hillsdale: #2 Dani Salenbien, So., G, Adrian, MI/Lenawee Christian (6.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.8 apg); #22 Grace Touchette, Sr., G, Northfield, MN/Northfield (17.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1 spg); #5 Sydney Mills, Jr., F, DeWitt, MI/DeWitt (12.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg); #32 Arianna Sysum, Jr., F, Eaton Rapids, MI/Eaton Rapids (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg); #4 Peighton Nelson, Fr., G, Cottage Grove, WI/Monona Grove (7.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.5 spg)
Walsh: #15 Lexie Scarton, Sr., G, Middleburg Heights, OH/Berea Midpark (8.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4 apg, 1.7 spg); #20 Sha Carter, Sr., G/F, Southfield, MI/Wylie E. Groves (18.3 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2 spg); #21 Morgan McMillen, Sr., G, New Philadelphia, OH/Berlin Hiland (12.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.2 spg); #22 Mayci Sales, Sr., F, Massillon, OH/Tuslaw (13.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg); #24 Megan Ball, G/F, Sr., Waterford, OH/Waterford (8.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
Malone: #2 Holly Groff, Sr., G, Macedonia, OH/Nordonia (15.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3 apg, 1.6 spg); #4 Robin Campbell, Sr., G, Alliance, OH/Marlington (14.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.7 spg); #10 Alexis Hutchison, Jr., G, Centerville, OH/Centerville (11.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.3 spg); #12 Emma Kallas, Jr., G/F, Waukesha, WI/Martin Luther (8.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg); #14 Kelsey Swihart, Fr., F, Sugarcreek, OH/Hiland (5.8 ppg)
Scouting the Opposition
Walsh: The preseason favorite to win the G-MAC title, the Cavaliers remain a dangerous foe, as evidenced by their 87-84 loss against eighth-ranked Ashland on Dec. 31, but with two G-MAC losses already, will be desperate to avoid a third that could knock them out of the title race early.
Walsh is an experienced and talented squad, led by 2019-20 G-MAC Player of the Year Sha Carter and three-time first-team All-G-MAC player Mayci Sales. The two players give the Cavaliers size and length at their positions that few teams in the G-MAC can match, and are also high-level scorers.
In her second season with Walsh after transferring from Bowling Green, Morgan McMillen has taken a big step forward to emerge as a complimentary scoring threat to Carter and Sales, and Lexie Scarton remains a steady hand to run the offense for the Cavaliers.
Walsh remains tough at both ends of the floor – currently second in the G-MAC in scoring (77.0 ppg) and in scoring defense (59.7 ppg). The Cavaliers are also strong on the glass – they're the top offensive rebounding team in the G-MAC and third in defensive rebounds.
Walsh is coached by Kate Bruce, in her sixth season with the Cavaliers. Under Bruce's guidance, Walsh has won two G-MAC titles, made three NCAA Tournament appearances, set and reset the program record for wins in a season, and become a fixture in the Division II Women's Top 25 polls.
Malone: The Pioneers got off to a hot start in G-MAC play in 2021-22, winning three straight, including an upset of title contender Kentucky Wesleyan on Dec. 11. Malone then lost its next four, including three conference contests, but remain a dangerous opponent offensively.
The core of Malone's team revolves around its experienced guard corps. Seniors Holly Groff and Robin Campbell have been perennial All-G-MAC players throughout their careers, and junior Alexis Hutchinson adds to that group to give Malone a devastating offensive attack from outside.
Emma Kallas has also been effective as a starter, but finding consistent scoring off the bench to pair with that strong core has been a challenge at times for Malone, especially during their recent losing streak.
The Pioneers are efficient offensively – sitting second in the G-MAC in field goal percentage with 47.8 through 12 games – but are just 10th in rebounding margin, and sixth in the league in both scoring offense and defense.
The head coach at Malone is Selana Reale, who is entering her fourth season at the helm of the Pioneers. A former player and successful assistant at Malone, Reale led the Pioneers to back-to-back winning seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and earned G-MAC Coach of the Year honors in 2018-19.
Scouting Hillsdale
Picked to finish 11th out of 12 teams in the preseason G-MAC standings after a rough showing in 2020-21, the Chargers have been the surprise team of 2021-22 so far, with a 5-1 record in six conference games and an 8-4 mark overall against tough competition.
The Chargers return four starters from last season's 4-17 team, led by senior Grace Touchette and junior Sydney Mills, both of whom have earned G-MAC Player of the Week honors already this season. Touchette is playing the best all-around basketball of her career so far, leading the team in scoring and placing in the top 10 in the G-MAC in several statistical categories, while Mills has picked up where she left off last year and is once again averaging a double-double as Hillsdale's top post threat.
Fellow returning starters Arianna Sysum and Dani Salenbien have continued to build on promising 2020-21 campaigns this season, while 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.
- Walsh has a 10- 7 record in the all-time season series against Hillsdale, and have won six straight, including both meetings last year. The Chargers' last win against Walsh came on Dec. 9, 2017, in an 87-74 contest. Hillsdale leads the series with Malone, 7-6, but the Pioneers have taken four straight contests, including both games last season as well.
- Senior Grace Touchette became just the 19th player in Hillsdale College history to surpass 1,000 points for her career during Sunday's 78-66 win over Lake Erie. A dominant all-around player in 2021-22 to date, Touchette is currently sixth in the G-MAC in scoring (17.6 points per game), ninth in field goal percentage (.518), eighth in 3-point shooting percentage (.378), eighth in 3-pointers made (2.3), fifth in free throw percentage (.822), fourth in assists (3.9) and second in assist to turnover ratio (2.5) despite playing in nearly five fewer minutes per game compared to 2020-21.
- 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 as a junior, averaging 11.2 rebounds in 12 games, leading the G-MAC so far, and also chipping in 13.3 points per game. Mills has six double-doubles on the season and was named G-MAC Player of the Week this past week for recording double-doubles in both of Hillsdale's road wins over Ursuline and Lake Erie.
- Senior Lauren Daffenberg enters the season already entrenched high on the Chargers' all-time 3-pointers made list. Daffenberg is tied for 4th in Hillsdale history in career made 3-pointers with 183, even with Jenn Carlson (2003-07). The record-holder for the Chargers is Chelsea Harrison, with 237 made 3-pointers in her career. Senior Grace Touchette is also ninth on the list with 148 made 3-pointers, six behind former teammate Jaycie Burger for eighth place.
- While two seniors are working their way up the career list for made 3-pointers, freshman Caitlin Splain also is impressing from deep. With 32 made 3-pointers through 12 games, she's on pace for 81 on the season – which would be the third-most in a single season in program history. While there's a long way to go, it's an impressive start to her career at Hillsdale.
- Another freshman, Peighton Nelson, has been a mainstay in the lineup for the Chargers at point guard, starting from the first game of the season. If Nelson can stay healthy and continue to perform, she could become the first freshman to start every game of the season for Hillsdale since another past star point guard, Ashlyn Landherr, appeared in all 25 games in 2012-13 for the Chargers.