By Scott A. Kolb

Post-Bulletin, Austin MN 

Topping their history making season of a year ago won't be easy for the Lady Blue Devils of Riverland, but they'll have a more diversified offense on the basketball court for 2009-10.

Last season, the Lady Devils relied mainly on the scoring abilities of Anna Hebrink and Brooke Monson as those two led the team to the state tournament. This season the offensive point production could come from a number of sources.

Mandy May and Gretchen Hebrink are the returning sophomores. They're both guards and the quickness from these returning players will help with the defensive pressure.

Another sophomore guard, Krissy Schemmel, was injured during the volleyball season and won't be playing basketball for the Lady Devils. Holly Waltz played two years ago for the Lady Devils and she's a high energy player who can add a touch of scoring in transition to her defensive work.

"It will be tough to be as good as last year, but we had a solid recruiting class," Riverland coach Suzy Hebrink said. "They're doing well in the pre-season practices, but it's too bad we won't have Krissy. She added a lot to the team last year and would've been our best player coming back."

Last season with the Austin Packers, forward Krista Viehauser provided a presence in the post with her double-figure scoring and rebounding ability. Viehauser, now a freshman for Riverland, will blend those talents into a good mix down low for the Lady Devils.

Kelsey Brink from Renville, and Danyel Hythecker from Kasson-Mantorville bring the Lady Devils more scoring depth on the inside. Brink and Hythecker both played for the Riverland volleyball team. Mirana Swanson, a 6-foot-4 low post player from Spring Valley, adds another option to the offense.

"We have a lot of good scorers in the low post this season, and that will help replace some of the point production lost when Anna and Brooke graduated," coach Hebrink said. "I have four solid scorers in the post, so we have good depth inside. That's the most depth we've ever had down low, so I expect to see the team make another run at state."

Getting back to the Minnesota College Athletic Conference State Tournament might be a realistic goal for the Lady Devils. They have few more scoring options with freshman Joni Lillo from St. Clair, and Brooke Rosenstiel from Mankato West. Tessa Butau will be eligible after the first of the year for the divisional schedule.

"Joni was a 1,000-point scorer in high school; she went to college last year but didn't play and we look for her to help with the offense," Hebrink said. "Brooke is a former teammate of Krissy in high school. She's agile and can shoot pretty well.

"We have nice depth at all of the positions, and a strong rotation headed into the season. We're looking to make improvements over the non-conference games and then, we hope to be in the mix for the MCCC South title."

Riverland women's basketball opened the season with a game this afternoon against Hibbing Community College at the Minnesota West Tournament. Riverland then plays Madison (Wis.) Area Technical College on Saturday at noon.

RIVERLAND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

ROSTER

Sophomores -- Mandy May (guard), Gretchen Hebrink (guard), Holly Waltz (guard). Freshmen -- Krista Viehauser (forward), Kelsey Brink (center), Danyel Hythecker (forward), Joni Lillo (guard), Mirana Swanson (center), Brooke Rosenstiel (forward), Tessa Butau (forward).

SCHEDULE

Nov. 6 -- at Minnesota West Tournament, 2 p.m.

Nov. 7 -- at Minnesota West Tournament, noon

Nov. 10 -- at North Iowa Area CC, 6 p.m.

Nov. 14 -- Hall of Fame game, 3 p.m.

Nov. 16 -- Luther College junior varsity, 6 p.m.

Nov. 24 -- North Iowa Area CC, 6 p.m.

Nov. 30 -- at Crossroads College, 6 p.m.

Dec. 2 -- at Gustavus Adolphus JV, 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 4 -- Central Lakes, 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 -- Fond du Lac, 1 p.m.

Dec. 8 -- Western Wis. Technical, 6 p.m.

Dec. 9 -- at Luther College JV, 6 p.m.

Dec. 11 -- at Vermillion, 6 p.m.

Dec. 12 -- at Mesabi Range, 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 -- Crossroads College, 6 p.m.

Jan. 4 -- Gustavus Adolphus JV, 6 p.m.

Jan. 6 -- at Western Wis. Technical, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 -- Minnesota West, 1 p.m.

Jan. 13 -- at Anoka-Ramsey, 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 -- Minneapolis CTC, 1 p.m.

Jan. 20 -- Rochester CTC, 6 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- Ridgewater, 1 p.m.

Jan. 27 -- at Fergus Falls, 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 -- at Minnesota West, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Anoka-Ramsey, 1 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Minneapolis CTC, 1 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- at Ridgewater, 6 p.m.

Feb. 20 -- Fergus Falls, 1 p.m.

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