Northern Star: UW-Superior Women’s Basketball

Yellowjackets making first national tournament appearance since 2018.

SUPERIOR, Wis.-The UW-Superior women’s basketball team ended a lengthy drought on March 1st, clinching the UMAC title and a securing a spot in the national tournament.

So just how long has it been?

“I think coach said it was maybe her sophomore year was the last time they made the tournament. She reminded us, guys I’m old that’s a while ago, we have to kick it into gear. So, that was kind of exciting to see our name up there,” said Elise Besonen.

That’s right, current UWS head coach Emily Carpenter was a sophomore guard on the 2017-2018 team.

“Honestly I kind of remember the score, it was kind of a very lopsided score but honestly I just remember the experiences and the memories that I was able to make on and off the court with our team. You get to go down there for 3-4 days, be able to spend the night. And you know get practices at the host gym and everything,” said Carpenter.

This time around though, the player-turned coach is confident the result will be a lot more tighter.

“Just have that experience in upperclassmen so been able to down the stretch really lead us to those victories. Having some close games, intense games, we’re mentally prepared for this going in the national tournament. It’ll be exciting just to see that pay off for us as well going against Whitman,” added Carpenter.

Senior guard Elise Besonen is one of those veteran leaders who’s prepared to give it her all in her last hurrah.

“Bittersweet. We fought through a couple of tough years at the beginning of like my senior, like our grade, our careers. It was a little rough start that just kind of over the past few years we’ve really been getting closer and closer each time. So to be able to get a win in that conference tournament and get our bid it’s just everything we’ve worked for,” said Besonen.

UWS will tip off with Whitman on Friday at 4:45 PM.