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Pioneers look to even conference record over weekend

by Kevin Byrne

While many students spent their winter break relaxing and catching up on sleep, the Grinnell women's basketball team practiced for a month and a half and played a total of eight games. The squad went 3-5 over the break, including two wins at home. However, after dropping three road conference games in a row, it will be a difficult climb for the Pioneers to get back near the top of the Midwest Conference.

"We have had a rough couple of weeks and I don't think any of us are happy with our record," said Maddy Raimondo '08. "However, I think we all realize that we have been really close in so many games. I think every team's goal is to be playing their best ball at the end of the season and that is what we are working toward."

The Pioneers have indeed been close in many of their contests, dropping four of their five losses by less than 10 points. They defeated an inexperienced Cornell team on Dec. 10 by eight points and followed that with a seven-point loss to Dana College in Nebraska on Dec. 17.

On Jan. 7, Grinnell picked up a big win at home against conference opponent Illinois College. Hannah Wolf '08 and Katy Bowen '06 led the way with 19 and 18 points, respectively.

The following week the Pioneers dropped three straight road games to Monmouth, Lawrence and St. Norbert. Grinnell played their best basketball against Lawrence, giving the tough conference opponent a run for its money, keeping the game within reach through the final minute. Wolf had a total of 29 points during the game and Emily Kolbe '07 contributed 15 points in the six-point loss.

After an exciting one-point home-court victory over Loras College, Grinnell lost another close conference game, this time to Lake Forest College. Wolf put up another 29 points and Bowen had 20 points in the 73-65 loss.

The Pioneers picked up another important conference win against Knox this past Tuesday in Illinois. The team is now preparing for its most difficult weekend of the season. The women will face perennial contender Carroll College tonight in the Darby Gym and on Saturday afternoon they have a home game against Lawrence.

"This weekend we play two very good teams and I think it will take our best effort to win," said Lauren Meredith '06. "I expect us to come out playing hard and give both Carroll and Lawrence trouble.

Head Coach Andy Hamilton also understands the importance of this weekend's games in terms of team success and creditability.

"The games this weekend against two of the top teams in the league are important from the standpoint of defending your home court in the MWC," said Hamilton. "At this point in the season we are just focusing on one game at a time and not the standings. If we find success one game at a time, our finish in the standings will take care of itself."

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