The Red Storm are preparing for a fierce season filled with victories.
“We have a strong winning tradition here at Dixie State when it comes to the basketball team, and we expect to carry that over every year,” head coach Angela Kristensen said.
The Red Storm are aiming to be the Pacific West Conference regular season champions. And being PacWest Conference tournament winners means an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament in March.
The team has been measuring its potential by playing higher division teams in exhibition games so far this season.
“Those exhibition games are about finding out who you are as a team – strengths and weaknesses,” Kristensen said. “We saw some great things from this team in each one of those games.”
The Red Storm meet each game with the same intensity and optimism.
“We are striving for a 20 plus winning season,” said center Latia Matthews, a sophomore communication major from Las Vegas.
They are particularly looking forward to the DSC Classic this weekend. The Red Storm are up against two top teams this season—Montana State University and Simon Fraser University.
“Simon Fraser is predicted to be one of top teams in the West Region, so it will be a great opportunity for us,” Kristensen said.
Important players this season include key returning senior guard Chanel Maxey, senior center Becca Thomas, sophomore forward Kirsten Liana, and senior guard Erica Hayes.
New players to watch are DSC’s two transfers: senior center Mandy Munns from Boise State and junior guard Jordan Giles from Western Wyoming.
The Red Storm plans to focus on taking care of the ball and controlling the rebounds. Kristensen said the team’s goals are to “go out and play hard every game [and] try to get better each and every day.”
The Red Storm opened the season with their first ever opening home game. They won 80-75 against Cal Poly Pomona.
The team plays next in the DSC Classic Friday at 6 p.m. against Montana State University and Saturday at 3 p.m. against Simon Fraser University.
