Expectations were high for Northern Michigan University Women’s Basketball team, but injuries ravaged their chances of winning a conference championship. Adversity was what head coach Troy Mattson used to describe his teams’ performance this season.

“Adversity. For the situation we were thrown into, the injuries for the people on the court was tremendous. We had two girls after the season have surgery who were playing during the season.”

Due to injuries, eight different players started at least five games this season. Sophomore guard Baleigh Delorit missed significant time this season, along with sophomore forward Erin Honkala and freshman guard Elizabeth Lutz at the tail end of the season.

“They showed a lot of toughness,” said Mattson. “Lutz is still out and she was trying so hard to come play in practice, so hard to come back and play against Wayne State. They won’t even let her near the gym now.”

Despite the injuries this season, Mattson is happy where the ’Cats ended the season.
“We made it through, we’re all going to survive.”

Next season the Wildcats are looking to return to the top of the conference. There were no graduating seniors on this years roster and as long as their injuries recover, the sky’s the limit.

“Expectations are higher for next year. Everyone’s returning. We’ll put Chloe Tompkins and Darby Youngstrom on either wing and we’ll expect them to score 20 points every night, something we didn’t have this season.”