Junior guard Alyssa Colla led the Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team in scoring during the 2013-14 season. The Wildcats finished with an overall record of 22-8. Colla said the past season had been an amazing experience with the ’Cats.
“Making it to the NCAA tournament was a great accomplishment and something that every player dreams of,” Colla said. “We all worked hard for it and it’s something special that I know all of us will always remember.”
Colla played and started in all 30 games this season for a total of 1,077 minutes on the court. She led the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 16.4 points a game with a field goal percentage of 45.2 percent.
From the three-point line, Colla shot at 36.8 percent.
At the free-throw line, Colla made 102 of 116 attempts to end the season with a shooting percentage of 87.9 percent at the line.
Freshman Ashley Colla, Alyssa’s younger sister, said playing with her sister made her transition into college easier.
“Having Alyssa on the team prior to coming here helped a lot when getting to know the girls on the team,” Ashley Colla said. “I was pretty close with them before coming to play, which made it a lot easier as only a freshman.
“Traveling all the time was a definite difference and whole new experience from high school. I enjoyed being with the team all the time and making a lot of memories each time we had a road trip.”
With 491 season points, Alyssa Colla led the Wildcats for the second year in a row. In the 2012-13 season, Colla also led the Wildcats with 349 points. In 2011-12, she was the second highest team scorer with 236 points.
Alyssa Colla was named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference second-team in 2013 and was voted MVP of the Wildcats.
Ashley Colla said playing college ball with her sister had always been one of her dreams.
“We had played together on our varsity high school team for three years, and I for sure thought that would be the last time playing with her,” Ashley Colla said. “She’s more than a sister to me when we play together, almost like another coach.
“When we work out in the summer she makes sure that I am doing every skill and drill right, always pushing me to strive the best I can. I couldn’t have asked for a better year with her and can’t wait to be with her as she graduates next year.”
Alyssa Colla’s career high scoring game was Friday, Jan. 18 of this year, when the Wildcats played Ferris State University.
Though the Wildcats did not win the game, Alyssa Colla racked up a career high of 27 points in a game.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, Alyssa Colla scored 26 points for the Wildcats when they faced and defeated Grand Valley State University. Alyssa Colla racked up 26 points again on Saturday, Feb. 15 in an NMU victory over Wayne State University.
Alyssa Colla said this was a great season for her.
“Personally, I thought I had a pretty good year,” Alyssa Colla said. “I put in a lot of work during the summer and the off-season to get stronger and work on parts of my game that I plan to continue this off-season for next season.”
Following the end of the 2013-14 season, Alyssa Colla was named to the Daktronics, Inc.Second-Team All-Midwest Region.
Alyssa Colla was named the 23rd female Wildcat to hit 1,000 career points following the season. She now has 1,058 career points in her three seasons with the Wildcats.
Alyssa Colla said having her younger sister on the team only added to the excitement of the season.
“Having my younger sister on the team was a blast; we’re really close and it makes everything more fun,” Alyssa Colla said. “It’s also nice that when my parents come up, they are able to see both of us.”
Alyssa Colla also led the ’Cats in assists for the season with an average of 3.1 per game. She finished the season with 92 assists.
On the defensive end of the court, Alyssa Colla pulled down 125 rebounds for the season and led the team with 45 season steals.
Alyssa Colla said she is anxious for next season.
“I think all of us are looking forward to getting back there next year,” Alyssa Colla said. “It definitely won’t be easy but now we know we can do it.
“A large number of us are going to be seniors next, and I know we will be hungry to win. We want to make the most of it and it starts now. Counting down the days until tip-off.”
