Augsburg College - Athletics

2007-08 Augsburg College Women's Basketball Season Preview

General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 3,872 (includes undergrad, weekend, graduate)
Nickname: Auggies
School Colors: Maroon and Gray (Pantone 209 maroon, Pantone 424 gray)
Arena: Si Melby Hall (Ernie Anderson Court)
Capacity: 2,200
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
President: Dr. Paul C. Pribbenow
Faculty Athletic Representative: Tracy Bibelnieks
Athletic Director: Jeff Swenson
Athletic Phone: 612-330-1249
Athletic Fax: 612-330-1372

History
First year of women's basketball: 1972-73 (program began in 1950; varsity intercollegiate program in 1972-73)
All-time playoff record: none
Years in post-season play: none
Last postseason appearance: none
All-time record (varsity): N/A

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jennifer Britz (4th year as head coach, 5th year at Augsburg)
Alma Mater/Year: South Dakota State '01
Record at school (yrs): 12-61 (3)
Career record: same
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1239
Coach's e-mail: britz@augsburg.edu

Assistant Coaches
Melissa Lee (Augsburg '05, 3rd season)
Cameron Mahlum (St. Cloud State '94, 1st season)
Charles Anderson (Minnesota State Moorhead '72, 1st season)

Sports Information
Sports Information Director: Don Stoner
SID office phone: 612-330-1677
Cell phone: 612-363-3923
SID Fax: 612-330-1372
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

2006-07 Game-by Game Results (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Sat., Nov. 25, at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, L 80-40
Wed., Nov. 29, vs. Carleton College *, L 74-57
Sat., Dec. 2, at Gustavus Adolphus College *, L 66-38
Mon., Dec. 4, at College of St. Catherine *, L 74-52
Wed., Dec. 6, at St. Olaf College *, W 72-66
Fri., Dec. 8, at Minnesota State University Mankato, L 80-31
Sat., Dec. 30, vs. Northwestern College-Roseville, L 69-60
Wed., Jan. 3, vs. Hamline University *, L 82-66
Sat., Jan. 6, at Macalester College *, L 59-53
Mon., Jan. 8, at University of St. Thomas *, L 68-51
Wed., Jan. 10, at College of St. Benedict *, L 80-39
Sat., Jan. 13, at St. Mary's University *, L 73-59
Mon., Jan. 15, vs. Concordia College-Moorhead *, L 79-56
Wed., Jan. 17, at Bethel University *, L 90-48
Sat., Jan. 20, at Carleton College *, L 59-47
Mon., Jan. 22, vs. Gustavus Adolphus College *, L 72-65
Wed., Jan. 24, vs. College of St. Catherine *, L 73-50
Sat., Jan. 27, vs. St. Olaf College *, L 55-53
Wed., Jan. 31, at Hamline University *, L 75-71
Sat., Feb. 3, vs. Macalester College *, L 80-76 (2OT)
Mon., Feb. 5, vs. University of St. Thomas *, L 67-61
Wed., Feb. 7, vs. College of St. Benedict *, L 69-53
Sat., Feb. 10, vs. St. Mary's University *, L 58-45
Wed., Feb. 14, at Concordia College-Moorhead *, L 85-48
Sat., Feb. 17, vs. Bethel University *, L 85-77

2007-08 Schedule (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Fri.-Sat., Nov, 16-17, at Wisconsin-Stevens Point Pointer Tip-Off Classic
Fri., Nov. 16, vs. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 17, vs. Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.) or College of St. Scholastica (Minn.), 1/3 p.m.
Tue., Nov. 20, vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 7 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 28, vs. Carleton College *, 5:45 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 1, vs. Gustavus Adolphus College *, 1 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 3, vs. College of St. Catherine *, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 5, at St. Olaf College *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 5, at Hamline University *, 1 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 7, at Macalester College * (at St. Catherine), 5:45 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 9, at University of St. Thomas *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 12, vs. College of St. Benedict *, 3 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 16, at St. Mary's University *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 19, at Concordia College-Moorhead *, 1 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 21, vs. Bethel University *, 5:45 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 23, at Carleton College *, 5:45 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 26, at Gustavus Adolphus College *, 1 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 30, at College of St. Catherine *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 2, vs. Hamline University *, 1 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 4, vs. St. Olaf College *, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 6, vs. Macalester College *, 5:45 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 9, at College of St. Benedict *, 3 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 13, vs. University of St. Thomas *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 16, vs. Concordia College-Moorhead *, 1 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 20, vs. St. Mary's University *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 23, at Bethel University *, 1 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 25, MIAC Playoff First Round (6 at 3, 5 at 4)
Wed., Feb. 27, MIAC Playoff Semifinals (6/3, 5/4 at 1, 2)
Sat., March 1, MIAC Playoff Championship Game (at high seed)
Wed., March 5, NCAA Div. III National Playoff First Round
Fri.-Sat., March 7-8, NCAA Div. III National Playoff First/Second Rounds
Fri.-Sat., March 14-15, NCAA Div. III National Playoff Sectionals
Fri.-Sat., March 21-22, NCAA Div. III National Playoff Semifinals/Finals at Hope College DeVos Fieldhouse, Holland, Mich.

Player & Team Information
Overall record last year: 1-24
Conference record/finish: 1-21 / 12th
Letterwinners returning/lost: 9/1
Starters returning/lost: 5/0
Roster By Year: 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, 4 first-years. TOTAL: 14.

Returning Key Players
Kristina Lurken (G, SR, 5-8, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS), three-year starter at point guard; averaged team-high 11.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 2006-07; also team-high 103 assists (4.1 apg was second among MIAC players in overall stats); honorable-mention All-MIAC in 2006-07; has started every game of her collegiate career (73), averaging 9.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.5 spg; honorable mention all-state in 2004; two-time all-conference and all-area selections; academic-all state in senior season; also a member of Augsburg's volleyball team.
Katie LaGrave (G/F, 6-0, SR, Okinawa, Japan/Kadena HS), averaged 11.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg in 2006-07, along with team-high 45 3FG; career averages (69 games, 46 starts) of 10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, also 106 3FG; All-MIAC honorable-mention in 2005-06; first-team All-Far East in 2003 and 2004, 3-point shooting champion in Far East conference, team won Far East title in 2003 (competition against high schools for Americans in Far East); Stars and Stripes Pacific High School Girls' Athlete of the Year in 2003-04; three-year member of Augsburg's volleyball team, earned All-MIAC honors as middle hitter in 2006.
Michelle Richter (G, JR, 5-7, Chaska, Minn.), started all 25 games in 2006-07, averaging 10.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg and hit team-high .451 from field; career averages (50 games, 28 starts) of 7.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .457 FG percentage; reserve guard in 2005-06, averaged 5.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg in 20.4 minutes per-game.
Megan Krumrie (G, JR, 5-9, Elk Mound, Wis.), averaged 8.4 ppg and 4.2 rpg in 2006-07; transfer from Wisconsin-Eau Claire, played in 7 varsity games for UW-EC in 2004-05 (0.3 ppg, 0.3 rpg), competed in 2004 Wisconsin state all-star games; also a member of Augsburg's track and field team.
Brietta Schluender (F/C, JR, 6-1, White Bear Lake, Minn.), reserve post player over past two seasons; 5.9 ppg and 4.3 rpg in 2006-07; career averages (48 games, 9 starts) of 4.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg; high school all-conference honorable mention in 2004-05.
Jacci Mattern (F/C, JR, 5-9, Lakeville, Minn.), started 16 of 21 games in 2006-07, averaging 3.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg; career totals (46 games, 27 starts) of 4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg; member of high school teams that finished second (2003-04) and fourth (2004-05) in Minnesota state tournament, Academic All-State recipient in 2005; also member of Augsburg softball team, All-MIAC honorable-mention outfielder in 2006.

Key Newcomers
Christa Suedbeck (C, JR, 6-2, Hugo, Minn./White Bear Lake HS), transfer from Minot State (N.D.), averaged 2.4 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 28 games as reserve post player in 2006-07; member of team that qualified for NAIA national tournament in 2005-06; voted team's Most Improved Player in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Shannon Renne (G, FY, 5-8, Nicollet, Minn.), 3-time all-conference and 2-time all-state honorable-mention (AP); 1,000-point scorer in high school.
Melanie Wigen (G, FY, 5-4, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS), member of Bloomington Kennedy HS team that finished 2nd in state Class AAAA tournament in 2005-06; competed at Simley HS in 2003-05 and 2006-07.

Key Losses
Marissa Lindback (F/C), 3-year reserve post player; career totals (54 games, 7 starts) of 2.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg.

Season Outlook and Notes:

MINNEAPOLIS -- There is plenty of optimism for improvement with the Augsburg College women's basketball team in 2007-08.

With all five starters returning, along with a solid bench and a solid class of newcomers, the Auggies are aiming for significant improvement, and the potential for a berth in the six-team Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason playoffs.

"With nine players returning and the addition of five new incoming players, this year's team has set high goals for ittself and is looking to battle for a conference playoff berth," said Jennifer Britz, entering her fourth season as Augsburg's head coach.

The Auggies finished 1-24 overall and 1-21 in MIAC play last season, but lost just one letterwinner to graduation.

Experience in the backcourt
There's experience and depth at every position on the court for the Auggies this season, especially in the backcourt, where starters Kristina Lurken (SR, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS), Michelle Richter (JR, Chaska, Minn.) and Katie LaGrave (SR, Okinawa, Japan/Kadena HS) return.

A point guard who has started every game of her collegiate career, Lurken led the team last season in both scoring (11.6 points per-game) and assists (4.1 per-game), while also contributing 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per-game. Lurken earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors last season.

"Kristina is the anchor for the Auggie women's basketball team," Britz said. "She is coming off a strong season and will be looked upon to guide the Auggies once again this season."

A three-year swing player for the Auggies, LaGrave was sidelined midway through last season with an injury, but rallied to average 11.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while also hitting a team-high 45 three-pointers, a total fifth-best among MIAC players (overall statistics) last year. Meanwhile, Richter moved into the starting lineup as an off-guard and shined, averaging 10.4 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds, while hitting a team-best 45.1 percent from the field.

"LaGrave's quick release and shooting ability provide a much-needed outside threat for the Auggies," Britz said. "Richter is an aggressive, hard-nosed player who contributes on both ends of the floor, and will be asked to step up her game again this season."

Megan Krumrie (SR, Elk Mound, Wis.) started 12 games and averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per-game, and will be another key player in the backcourt. Noreen Hogan (SR, Moline, Ill./Alleman HS) started 15 games last season and will be relied upon again for her aggressive style of play. Taylor Ray (SR, Two Harbors, Minn.) also gained valuable experience last year and will be counted on for key minutes off the bench.

Newcomers Shannon Renne (FY, Nicollet, Minn.), a three-time all-conference player, and Melanie Wigen (FY, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS) will also be expected to contribute in the backcourt this season, along with Victoria Cunningham (FY, Shreveport, La./C.E. Byrd HS).

"Renne is a deep outside threat who has the ability to attack the basket as well," Britz said. "Wigen provides an aggressive, attacking mentality at the point position."

Juniors, transfer to lead Auggie frontcourt
In the frontcourt, juniors Jacci Mattern (JR, Lakeville, Minn.) and Brietta Schluender (JR, White Bear Lake, Minn.) will be counted on for significant minutes and scoring punch. Mattern started 16 games and averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per-game last year, while Schluender primarily came off the bench to average 5.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per-game.

The junior duo will be joined by Christa Suedbeck (JR., Hugo, Minn./White Bear Lake HS), a transfer from Minot State (N.D.) who was a key contributor off the bench for a solid Beaver club that qualified for the NAIA national tournament two seasons ago.

"Christa will be expected to make an immediate impact. Her athleticism offers us a strong inside presence," Britz said.

Ashley Thoeny (SO, Golden Valley, Minn./Hopkins HS) saw time in eight games last season and will be expected to contribute more in the frontcourt this season, along with newcomer Jill Hengstler (FY, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS).

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Augsburg College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.

This is the official web site for Augsburg College athletics.
All comments or questions regarding this web site should be directed to Sports Information Coordinator Don Stoner -- E-mail: stoner@augsburg.edu Phone: (612) 330-1677.