Women’s basketball heads to NSIC tournament
The Vikings’ women’s basketball regular season came to a close with an overall record of 24-4. After their 76-47 win on Feb. 18 against the University of Sioux Falls, the women ranked in at the No. 2 seed in the NSIC South Division.
Senior Aislinn Duffy earned her 23rd career double-double from the final game with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
“Winning the last regular season games is such a relief,” Duffy said. “I knew that we were capable of beating both of these teams, but our conference is so unpredictable that you never know what opponent is going to show up. I’m glad that we came to play and were able to pull out two wins before tourney time.”
For her last season, Duffy earned a career high of 32 points against Upper Iowa on Feb. 4. She played for Augustana for five years and will pursue the medical field after graduation.
“It’s bizarre that it’s my last season here at Augustana,” Duffy said. “This group has been so special to play with, and I just feel so blessed that basketball has given me the opportunity to meet some amazing people and study nursing. This year’s team, specifically, has been so fun to play with. We get along really well off the court, and I think that has translated into our play on the court in a positive way.”
Before defeating the University of Sioux Falls, the Vikings defeated Southwest Minnesota State on Feb. 16 with a score of 88-56.
The team ended the season with 11 more wins than last year, making it the first season in five years to secure over 20 wins.
“Our team has worked hard all year, and it is nice to finally see our work turn into wins,” sophomore Jennifer Aadland said. “I also think the reason we all have the ability to score is how well we move the ball this year. Everyone looks for the open person, and I trust each of my teammates to hit the open shot.”
The end of this season also marks the end of head coach Dave Krauth’s career. After 34 years, he is retiring from coaching the Augustana women’s basketball team.
“I have loved having coach Krauth as my coach,” Aadland said. “You see how knowledgeable he is on the game of basketball. He makes it look so easy. My favorite memory would have to be the dance moves he cracks out at our practice while listening to his old music. Being coached by him made me fall in love with basketball again.”
Krauth has more than 650 wins for the Vikings and recorded 33 winning seasons. A new head coach has not yet been hired.
“Coach Krauth will go down in the Augustana history books as one of the best to ever coach at this school,” Duffy said. “I just feel blessed to have played for him.”
The Vikings will continue their season at the NSIC Tournament beginning on Feb. 26 at the Sanford Pentagon.
