When fans head to Truist Arena to see the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team this year, they will notice plenty of new faces on the floor and on the bench.
Camryn Whitaker-Volz, who got married in the offseason, returns for her eighth season guiding the Norse. She welcomes back just five players off last year’s roster in addition to three new assistant coaches in Doug Novak, John McCray and Mallory Odell.
“We had a lot of consistency in the past, which has been great. Then as we all know, people move up and move on. That’s what I would want for our staff,” Volz said. “Coach McCray and I are going to spearhead the defense. Coach Mallory Odell is helping our post players. She’s helping Coach Novak with offense.”
The Norse return two starters in junior guards Kailee Davis and Khamari Mitchell-Steen. Davis found a spot on the All-Horizon League Third Team last year averaging 13.3 points per game and Mitchell-Steen averaged 7.7 points per game to go with 152 rebounds, 59 assists and 40 steals.
“I feel like (my role) has changed because I’m an upperclassman now,” Mitchell-Steen said. “I have to be the voice of the team along with the other upperclassmen.”
Senior guard Kennedy Igo played a big role off the bench last season, averaging 5.6 points per game and knocked down 21 three-pointers.
The other two returning players are sophomore guard Allison Basye and the team’s tallest player in 6-foot-4 junior forward Paige Hodgson. Both saw limited action as Basye appeared in 11 games and Hodgson played in seven.
Northern Kentucky finished 17-14 last year making it to the Horizon League semifinals for the second time in Volz’ tenure. The Norse put up a good fight against the eventual champion Cleveland State Vikings, taking them to overtime before losing, 63-60. Northern Kentucky is 0-3 in Horizon League semifinal games since joining in 2016, but has lost the three games by a combined six points.
To get back, the Norse will have to do it without the dynamic guard tandem of Lindsay Duvall and Ivy Turner, who graduated along with forward Tayah Irvin and center Emmy Souder. Duvall averaged 17.7 points per game and Turner averaged 12.2.
“You don’t replace a player like Lindsay. But it’s been fun coming to practice every day with a new challenge,” Volz said. “We’re enjoying the journey we’re on and getting to know all these players – their strengths and some of our weaknesses as a team and where we can improve those. We’re hoping to take the next step and get to the (Horizon League) championship game. Like (NKU Men’s basketball head) Coach (Darrin) Horn always says and I agree with him, it’s all about in our conference three days in March. We have to win three games in March to make it to the NCAA Tournament and that is our goal.”
Whitney Hay transferred to Campbellsville University and Ellie Taylor transferred to Radford University (Virginia). But the Norse saw three players transfer in. Junior guard Mya Meredith, a Scott High graduate and junior guard Macey Blevins transferred in from Western Kentucky University and junior guard Kalissa Lacy came over from Eastern Kentucky University. Meredith was the Conference USA Freshman of the year averaging 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game despite missing the last eight games because of injury.
The Norse initially brought in four freshmen this year including recent Notre Dame Academy graduate Noelle Hubert, a 5-foot-11 guard. The class brings size to the team as forward Gabby Razzano from Mason (Ohio) stands at 6-foot-2. Center Carter McCray is 6-foot-1 with forward Meadow Tisdale from Bowling Green High standing 5-foot-11. The Norse added 5-foot-11 guard Madison French after French decommitted from Miami (Ohio) after the RedHawks endured a coaching change.
“With the newbies, I feel like we’re all learning together,” Igo said. “Playing together more is going to create more chemistry on the court.”
Volz said she plans to implement a four-out one-in motion offense.
“I would call it an equal opportunity offense, which I think our players most importantly fit into,” Volz said. “We’re all trying to build a team that utilizes the strengths of our players. I believe this is what that offense does.”
Northern Kentucky plays at Illinois this year along with a road trip to Tennessee to take on Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee State. The first Horizon League game is Dec. 2 against Cleveland State. The Norse open the season Monday against Indiana State at Truist Arena at 7 p.m.
