By Tim Glon
First-year head women's basketball coach Mark Huelsman has been thrust into an unusual first season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the daily uncertainty surrounding practice and game schedules.
Huelsman does have some security in knowing that 11 of his 20 players return as letterwinners from last year's squad that went 20-7 overall and was third in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 13-5 league mark.
Sophomore Brynn Serbin (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) was named the OAC Freshman of the Year in 2020 and junior Lexi Jacobs (Wapakoneta) started all 27 games for the Polar Bears last season to lead the long list of returners.
Huelsman also inherits a program that has won 20 or more games in eight of the past nine seasons, so the players on the roster certainly know what needs to be done to continue that type of success.
Seniors Emily Brock (Akron/Revere) and Sydney Ward (Columbus/Upper Arlington) have been providing outstanding leadership as the program navigates the unknowns of a school year dominated by the pandemic.
"Our approach to the season is to be grateful for each day we get to be together and play the game that we love," Huelsman said. "Our seniors have been terrific leading the younger players. We are excited to see what they can accomplish now that it is their turn in the spotlight. We are focusing on our daily process with the goal of playing our best basketball at the end of the season."
Here is a breakdown of the 2021 Ohio Northern women's basketball team, by position.
Guard
Eight returning lettermen return on the perimeter, led by Brock, Jacobs, junior Jaidyn Hale (Lima/Bath) and Serbin.
Brock is a three-year regular in the rotation and has played in 75 games with three starts at guard, averaging 4.3 ppg in her career.
Jacobs was fourth on the team in scoring at 6.1 ppg and was second on the team with 46 assists a year ago. She has played in all 55 games during her first two seasons as a Polar Bear.
Hale started 12 games as a sophomore last season, averaging 4.9 ppg. She has played in 40 games in her career.
Serbin averaged 5.3 ppg a game last year, but it was her overall court presence that impressed the league coaches to honor her as the OAC Freshman of the Year.
Juniors Annie Weckesser (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) and Molly Palecek (Wadsworth) and sophomores Kate Newland (Lakeview/Allen East) and Ashlee Tressler (Defiance/Ayresville) also return as letterwinners from last year and will combine with five incoming freshmen to provide quality depth here.
"We win games by being balanced on offense and playing outstanding defense and this group sets up well for us to continue that style of play," Huelsman said. "Brynn does a great job of working hard every day and it shows a great example for all of us. We believe that Jaidyn and the other returners are ready for increased roles this year. We are very deep and talented up and down our roster."
Forward
Ward averaged 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season while only playing 14.9 minutes. An increased work load as the heir apparent to one of the post positions shows promise for a breakout season for the veteran with 67 games of experience to her credit.
Juniors Kate Iliff (Lorain/Steele) and Alissa Stahler (Lima/Shawnee) also return as regulars off the bench the last two seasons.
Iliff played in all 27 games last season, averaging 3.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, and has 43 games of experience heading into this winter.
Stahler saw action in 25 games a year ago, averaging 2.4 ppg and 2.3 rpg. She has played in 37 games in her career with career-highs of 13 points and nine rebounds in a win over Manchester (Ind.) last December.
Add three talented incoming freshman to the mix and the post positions also feature depth and experience necessary to be successful.
"Sydney Ward has been an outstanding player for us primarily off the bench for the past three seasons and now it is her turn to shine." Huelsman said. "We expect her to continue to be a strong post presence like we have had in this program over the past decade. Kate and Alissa improved a great deal during the offseason and can do a variety of things for us at a high level. We are also excited to watch our three incoming freshmen develop as they progress through their careers."
