MADISON, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has been selected to finish second in the upcoming Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball season, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
The Blugolds won the WIAC Tournament title last season and finished second in the regular-season standings. Their conference tournament title clinched an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated North Central (Minn.) in the opening round before falling at the hands of Millikin in the second round. UW-Eau Claire finished the season 22-8.
The Blugolds have four returning starters this season, including WIAC Co-Player of the Year Jessie Ruden (Sr. - Rochester, Minn./John Marshall). Tyra Boettcher (Sr. - Menomonie, Wis.) is back after earning first-team All-WIAC recognition, and Courtney Crouch (Sr. - White Bear Lake, Minn.) returns after earning honorable mention All-WIAC status. Bailey Reardon (Sr. - River Falls, Wis.) and Kylie Mogen (Jr. - Menomonie, Wis.) also played plenty of minutes last season. Those five players were the team's top five scorers last year.
Overall, UW-Eau Claire returns 13 of last year's 20 letterwinners. Head coach Tonja Englund enters her 22nd season at the helm.
UW-Whitewater won the regular-season WIAC championship last season and is predicted to finish atop the league this winter in the preseason poll.
The Blugolds open their season with an exhibition on Nov. 7 at Concordia-St. Paul. Their first regular-season game is Nov. 11, when they host Wartburg College in their Tip Off Tournament at Zorn Arena.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Gameday or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
