Belles aim for upset against league-leading Flying Dutch
by KATIE McVOY
Assistant Sports Editor
As women athletes are recognized nationwide, the Belles are looking to soar to victory over the No. 1 ranked Flying Dutch of Hope College tonight.
Today, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, is set aside for recognizing high school and college women in athletics. During tonight's half time, student athletes at Saint Mary's will be recognized for their contributions to athletics and scholarship. But, for the basketball team, tonight's focus is on Hope.
The Belles, who have recently hit a nine-game losing skid, will have a challenge in the 18-2 Flying Dutch who are still undefeated in the MIAA. However, Saint Mary's is still hoping for victory.
"To me, you always have to go out for the win," head coach Suzanne Smith said. "We played a good game the last time we played them and we're excited to play them at home."
The last time these two schools met, Hope defeated Saint Mary's 75-51. This time Saint Mary's is aiming to play hard ball.
"We are really working on being aggressive," Smith said. "Hope really gets after you both offensively and defensively."
Last year marked the first time in Hope history that the Flying Dutch had consecutive 20-win campaigns; they are currently only two wins short of extending that record to three years. With 11 returning letter winners and two players that have been named MIAA Player of the Week, Hope will make a strong bid for one of those two needed wins.
A concussion during Saturday's game may bench Belles' post player Kristen Matha who recently returned to the court after suffering a hip flexor muscle injury. Smith will count on Kelly Roberts again to play in the starting post position along with Anne Blair and guards Julie Norman, Mary Campione, and Katie Christiansen.
Matha will warm up with the team and, depending on her condition, she may play during the game.
"We're counting on Kelly to start and if Kristen can come off the bench, that would be great," Smith said.
With Blair leading the offense, Saint Mary's will be focusing on minimizing turnovers. In Saturday's loss to Calvin, the Belles turned the ball over 13 times in the first half alone.
"We've been trying to push the ball, which is why we've had so many turnovers," Smith said. "Now we're trying to make better decisions and clean that up."
The Saint Mary's defense will have its work cut out facing a strong Hope offense.
"We have to shut down their offense," Smith said. "They have a great transition game and very good post players."
The defense will have to keep an eye on Hope's leading scorers. Junior forward Laura Poppema and sophomore post player Amanda Kerkstra average 10 and 16 points a game respectively. Joining them are senior forward Kristin Koenigsknecht, who averages eight points and eight rebounds a game, and sophomore guard Amy Baltmanis, with eight points a game.
Tip off time is at 7:30 tonight in Angela Athletic Facility.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, February 7, 2001
