Kearney, Neb. – A highly anticipated season for Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball finally tips off this weekend when the Lopers face two Minnesota schools in Maryville, Mo.

The Lopers, ranked 15th in the Division II SID Top 25 preseason poll, face Minnesota-Crookston Friday and Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. Both games tip at 5:30 p.m. with live video and live stats available.

Head coach Carrie Eighmey and her staff welcome back the majority of a roster that went 23-4 in 2020-21, won the MIAA Tournament, reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 and spent time regionally and nationally ranked.

Returning all-conference players are posts Brooke Carlson (Elkhorn) and Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.), wing Klaire Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.) and point guard Haley Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.). Carlson, Backes and Kirsch are true seniors with Simental taking advantage of a "free eligibility" season in 2020-21 and thus being a super senior. UNK's biggest graduation loss is starter and defensive whiz Kelsey Sanger. 

Backes comes off the Loper bench but is UNK's top scorer (13.4). She shot 70% from the line, 46% from the field and 40% from behind the arc while having a team-best 30 blocks. Next, Carlson needs just 35 points to be the 26th Loper with 1,000 in a career. The center came in at 10.4 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field. 

Kirsch, despite standing 5-11, is on-pace to break the school-record for career rebounds (906, Heather Steffen, 2001-04). The wing/guard is a terror on the defensive glass, grabbing 222 (8.2 avg.) as a junior. She also averaged 7.9 points, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game and knocked down 19 threes. Running the show is Simental who began her career at Division I Denver in 2015. She missed some time last year due to injury and has two-year Loper averages of 9.5 points, 3.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds. Simental also makes 80% of her freebies and has sunk 124 treys in college.

Also returning with plenty of playing experience is forwards Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) and Maegan Holt (Council Bluffs, Ia.) and guards Trinity Law (Brandon, S.D.) and Meg Burns (Ankeny, Ia.). Holt is a three-year starter with 738 career points, McCool bounced back from a 2020 knee injury to shoot a team-best 54% with Law and Burns combining for 30 made threes and nearly 200 points in 2021.

UNK picked up a couple of experienced transfers in the offseason in guard Sarah Schmitt (Swisher, Ia.) and Grace O'Neill (Boulder, Colo.). Schmitt spent two years at Nebraska-Omaha with O'Neill most recently at D2 Regis (Colo.). The other newcomers are true freshmen Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius), Alayna Benike (Castlewood, S.D.), Rachel Leerar (Britt, Ia.) and Samantha Moore (Mullen). Finally, Mallie McNair (Imperial) redshirted last winter with Lexi Moes (Smithville, Mo.) being a third-year sophomore.

The Lopers host NAIA Peru State on Wednesday. 


U. Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
2020-21 Record: 3-13 (3-11 NSIC)

2021-22 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: T-15th of 16; T-7th in North Division

All-Time Record Vs. UNK: 1-1

Top Returning Players: 5-9 sophomore guard Jes Mertens (#3; 10.3 points & 4.6 rebounds); 6-3 junior center Bren Fox (#23; 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds & 1.1 blocks); 5-7 senior guard Kylie Post (#5; 9.3 points & 4.0 rebounds)

Newcomers of Note: 6-0 junior forward Abigail Leach (#21; North Iowa Area C.C.)


Southwest Minnesota State U. Mustangs
2020-21 Record: 9-5 (7-5 NSIC)

2021-22 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 7th of 16; T 2nd in South Division with a first place vote

All-Time Record Vs. UNK: 1-2

Top Returning Players: 5-9 senior guard Meleah Reinhart (#1; 15.7 points & 4.6 rebounds); 5-8 senior guard Sadie Stelter (#3; 13.2 points & 4.5 rebounds); 5-6 junior guard Jenna Borchers (#11; 12.6 points & 3.2 rebounds)

Newcomers of Note: 6-3 freshman post Emily Kranz (#31)