Women’s Basketball 2022-23 Season Preview

DECATUR, Illinois—The Millikin women's basketball team enters the 2022-23 with high expectations after posting a 23-7 record and making a trip to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 last year.

The Big Blue return three starters including its top two scorers from last year. Seven of its top 10 players from last year's team are back. In addition to the team's own lofty expectation, Millikin has drawn national attention. The Big Blue were picked to repeat as College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) regular season champs in the CCIW Preseason Women's Basketball poll and ranked 14th in the nation in the D3hooops.com Preseason Top 25.

Junior Elyce Knudsen (Philo, Tolono Unity H.S.) and senior Bailey Coffman (Heyworth, Bloomington Central Catholic H.S.) headline the returning starters. Knudsen's was named a preseason All-American by D3hoops.com after earning All-American honors (D3hoops.com and WBCA) last season. Knudsen averaged 20.8 points and 5.5 rebounds last year earned CCIW All-Conference First Team honors and being named the conference's Lori Kerans Player of the Year. Coffman returns after averaging 13.4 points and four rebounds per game in 2021-22 earning CCIW All-Conference Second Team honors. Senior guard Miranda Fox (Altamont, Effingham H.S.) returns at the point for the Big Blue after establishing herself last year as a floor leader, strong defender and fierce rebounder.

Senior Chelsea McCullum (Oswego, Oswego East H.S.) and junior Sophie Darden (Channahon, Minooka H.S.) are expected to round out the starting five to start the season. Both players made key contributions to the Big Blue last season coming off the bench.

Head Coach Olivia Lett's up tempo style on both ends of the floor means ample playing time for the top players off the bench. Seniors Abby Ratsch (Springfield, H.S.) and Sarah Ness (Sandwich, H.S.) are expected to make key contributions the season. Ratsch, the CCIW Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, is working her way back into basketball form, after returning for a knee injury suffered early last season. Ness is a very athletic player ready to make the most of her opportunities this season. Sophomore Emily White (Sullivan, H.S.) returns after averaging four point per game last season.

Lett had another strong recruiting class, but with so many talented players returning it might take some time for the newcomers to see meaningful minutes. One player that has likely worked her way into the rotation is sophomore transfer Sarah Isaf (Paris, H.S./Parkland College). In the two preseason games, Isaf has shown the ability to make the three-point shoot including going 4-5 for 12 points in the exhibition game against NCAA DI foe Eastern Illinois University.

Print Friendly Version