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 MADISON,
S.D. — Finally, after years of trying, Jessica VanLoy gets a
chance to play in her hometown area.
It’s homecoming for the Wabasso graduate who
is a senior on the Dakota State women’s basketball team, which
plays at Southwest Minnesota State this weekend in the Hardee’s/Coca
Cola Classic
Dakota State plays Northern State Friday and
the Mustangs Saturday.
“I’m pretty excited to play around southwest Minnesota again,”
VanLoy said. “I’ve been hounding our coach to get more games
against Minnesota schools. Last year, we went to New Ulm and
played Martin Luther. This year, he scheduled (games at)
Marshall and Mankato.”
VanLoy is a 5-foot-10 forward for the Lady Trojans, who bring a
5-1 record into town following a 69-61 loss to Mt. Marty (S.D.)
Tuesday.
The No. 9-rated Lady Trojans opened this season with a 56-53 win
at No. 3 Hastings (Neb.), which has won three of the last six
national titles. VanLoy finished with eight points, seven
rebounds and three assists.
Dakota State whipped Baker (Kan.), 82-55, with VanLoy getting 12
points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Lady Trojans outscored Morningside (Iowa), 92-82, with
VanLoy tallying eight points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Dakota State made it 4-0 following a 63-47 win over Dordt (Iowa)
with VanLoy furnishing nine points, six rebounds and five
assists.
In a 73-66 victory over Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), she accounted
for 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
In Tuesday’s setback to No. 17 Mt. Marty, VanLoy ended with 0
points, eight rebounds and one assist.
She’s had to overcome adversity early in her collegiate career.
VanLoy was injured (knee) late in her freshmen year, and has
been in the starting lineup the past three years.
VanLoy was highly recruited after being selected the
Independent’s 2004 Player of the Year.
That year, she helped lead Wabasso to the Class A state
championship.
VanLoy is playing basketball and fastpitch softball at Dakota
State.
“It was an opportunity to play for a good team and being able to
play two sports,” she said. “I definitely wanted to play
softball and basketball.”
Carrying a 3.0 grade-point-average (GPA), VanLoy will graduate
in four years.
“The last couple of years . . . with my major in exercise
science, which has biology and long labs . . . it’s been hard to
balance out (athletics and academics), but it’s been good,”
VanLoy said.
She also has a minor in coaching.
Having been named an NAIA honorable mention All-American the
past two years, VanLoy brings an all-around game, including
scoring, rebounding, passing and defending.
Last year, she finished second in steals, fourth in assists and
11th in offensive rebounds in the Dakota Athletic Conference
(DAC).
She averaged 9.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in addition to
racking up 126 assists and 100 steals.
She scored 1,405 points in her career at Wabasso High School,
but she also gained a reputation for her rebounding, passing and
defense.
“Since high school, I’ve become more of a rebounder,” VanLoy
said. “I push the ball on our team, and I get assists on the
boards.”
The Lady Trojans have several players with roots in southwestern
Minnesota, including 6-foot-2 post Marie Gengler (Adrian),
5-foot-11 post Kaitlyn Kramer (Fulda), shooting guard Jill
Hansen (Worthington) and shooting guard Alyssa Kirk (Balaton).
Gengler and Hansen are seniors. Kramer is a freshman. Kirk is a
sophomore.
“We have people who are 6-foot or better,” VanLoy said. “We have
girls who can hit shots when we need them to. We have a good
rotation in offense, defense, shot-blockers, everything.”
Coming from Wabasso, VanLoy came from a basketball program that
played up tempo. That’s a contrast to Dakota State’s patient
style.
“It’s been a transition from Wabasso, where we were a pressing
team, to Dakota State, where we’re more of a team that falls
back into a 2-3 zone and into our half-court offense,” VanLoy
said. “At Wabasso, if we didn’t steal the ball, we probably
didn’t score.”
As a senior, she’s counted on to be one of the leaders this
year.
“I’ve definitely grown up a lot and learned the system better,”
VanLoy said. “I’ve been able to help the younger girls.”
The Lady Trojans have enjoyed success on the floor, qualifying
for the national NAIA Division II tournament the past two years.
Two years ago, they reached the Elite Eight.
Last year, they lost an opening-round game.
That early exit has made Dakota State more determined to make
another run at the NAIA title.
“Our team has made big strides this year — just growing as a
team,” VanLoy said. “We’re clicking good right now. Everybody
knows their roles on the team in what they need to do. They
pretty much do their job.
“Depending on injuries . . . that can hurt a season. If
everybody stays healthy, I definitely see us getting into the
Final Four.”
Entering the 2007-08 season, VanLoy is making her mark in the
DSU record book, ranking high in the top 10 in several
categories: Steals, career, 327, 2nd; steals, season, 100, 3rd;
steals, game, 10, 1st; assists, career, 338, 3rd; assists,
season, 127, 7th; 3-pt percentage, 40 percent, 9th.
Saturday, it’s the duel between two former Wabasso athletes.
SMSU’s roster includes Andrea Fennern, a sophomore starting at
point guard. She was also part of Wabasso’s 2004 state
championship team.
At times, they could be guarding each other.
“I think it will be fun,” VanLoy said. “We’ve always been on the
same team so it will be interesting to see how it goes. I know
her tendencies, and she knows my tendencies.”
Being an NAIA school and playing an NCAA-Division II opponent
like SMSU, the Lady Trojans will be underdogs Saturday.
“As long as our team comes out and plays like we can, that will
make everybody have a good game,” VanLoy said. “Hopefully, we
can come out with a ‘W’.”
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