MACOMB — After two wins in the exhibition season, the Western Illinois women’s basketball team dives right into the season, hitting the road for a pair of games this week in Indiana.
The Leathernecks open at Notre Dame on Saturday before going to Butler for a Saturday morning contest.
“It’s something we’re going to enjoy, it’s why you sign up for the games, it’s a great experience, I think the hard thing is, they’re really hungry,” WIU coach JD Gravina said of Notre Dame. “They’ve had some hard-luck the last couple years and judging by the exhibition games, this seems like it could be the year things come together for them so it will be a big challenge.
“Those are games you don’t have a lot to lose, you try to compete the best you can, maybe you get lucky and they get a little nervous and you hang in the game or maybe you get blown out by 40, you just have to move on to the next game. I think Butler is one you hope you can compete in better.”
Win or lose, getting on the road after getting an actual preseason is a welcome change for the Leathernecks after a year ago when the squad was thrown right into the season without much time or opportunity for a preseason warm-up.
“We’re excited to go and play our best,” senior guard Danni Nichols said. “We’re playing with nothing to lose against them, so we’re going to get after it and be aggressive.”
The two games this week combined with Monday’s exhibition game against Illinois-Springfield make for a busy week for the Leathernecks with three games in six days.
Western was down to 10 players on Monday as starter Carla Flores and freshman Jalynn Alexander were out with injury.
Even though the Leathernecks are entering a busy start to the season short-handed, the team is looking forward to the hectic opening.
“It’s good for us, getting in game shape and playing a lot right away will help us,” guard Mallory McDermott said.
One player to especially to watch this opening week is center Evan Zars.
Zars’ size and ability to give WIU some muscle inside against bigger teams will be key this opening week and throughout the nonconference.
“I think she’s learning that about herself, she’s physically better than she was last year, working hard in the weight room and mentally realizing she’s such a good physical presence, it will happen with her,” Gravina said “When she goes and gets the rebound there’s not many kids in the country who can compete with her, it’s fun to see her growing into that.”
— SCOTT HOLLAND