GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College women's basketball team has been on a roll in recent years, and is looking to continue that trend in 2017-18.
 
The team's 29 wins in the past two seasons are the most wins in back-to-back seasons since the early 1990s at Grinnell. In the 2016-17 season, Grinnell again posted 12 wins in league play while going 14-10 overall and earning a repeat trip to the Midwest Conference Tournament. It was the first time since the early 1990s that Grinnell qualified for back-to-back league tournaments.

The challenge the team faces this year will be filling the shoes of the impactful senior class graduated last season.  There will be many new faces on our sideline and on the court this year and while that brings some unknowns to the team, it also brings some excitement and opportunity for the young players. 
 
The top returnee is last year's leading MWC scorer and first-team All-MWC selection Kayla Morrissey '18. "Kayla is the definition of what we are looking for in a player within our program," said Coach Dana Harrold. "She is hard-working, talented, coachable and fun to watch.  We are looking forward to her having another breakout season.  Kayla will be a four-year starter and she will be a weapon in many aspects of our attack. 
 
"Our other senior, Margaret Giles '18, is entering her third season within our program and we have enjoyed watching Margaret get better each season," Harrold continued. "Last year she was an asset to us on defense and gained some confidence back with her shot, as well."
 
The junior class features Daria Guzzo '19, Hanna Kessel '19, Regan Kasprak '19 and Abby Hellweg '19.
 
"Daria is a natural leader and has been a very vocal player for us in the preseason," said Harrold. "She has put in time and energy to be more of an impact player for us this season and I am looking forward to seeing her work her way into a bigger role on our team.
 
"Hanna is an athlete and has been our energy on the bench the past two seasons," Harrold continued. "I think she is ready to be a contributor within our team and is willing to play wherever she is needed. Her biggest strengths will be defense, running in transition and offensive rebounding.
 
"Regan Kasprak is a player that I am excited to watch this season," Harrold added. "Regan has great speed and ball skills and will be able to help set the tempo for us offensively. Abby Hellweg saw time for us as a first-year and unfortunately spent last season on the injured list. I have expectations that Abby will be able to help us wherever she is needed this season. I think her versatility as a player will be a benefit to our squad this season."
 
Mikayla Kricfalusi '20 is the representative from the sophomore class and is back from an ACL injury last year.  "We are excited to have Mikayla with us physically in practices this year and look forward to seeing what she is capable of on the court," said Harrold. "She is athletic and strong and will help deepen our post play."
 
Harrold is excited to add six talented first-years to the team -  Tyria Heath '21 Olivia Woolam '21, Claire Collier '21, Kathryn Stender '21, May Hanlon '21 and Stephany Dos Santos '21.
 
"This group is working hard and learning more and more each day they are in the gym," said Harrold. "I am optimistic that we will get some very early contribution from them as a group this season."
 
That should all add up to an exciting campaign for Grinnell. "Our team continues to be very high-energy, close-knit and hard-working," said Harrold. "While we will be making the necessary adjustments to replace an incredible group of seven we look forward to the opportunity to compete night in and night out.
 
"Our goals moving forward are to be competitive in each game, fight to be in the top half of the league and defend our home court for the fourth season in a row," she added. "The Midwest Conference will prove to be strong again and we are grateful for the chance to do our part to work our way up the 10-team ladder."