Lady Dogies to watch this season

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Reporter
 
After graduating four seniors and losing one junior from last season, the Lady Dogies are returning only one starter this year. As such, head coach Chad Ostenson is looking at several players to play specific roles on the court.
Mercedes Voelker is the lone sometimes-starter suiting up for the Lady Dogies, and she is also currently the team’s leading scorer. As a sophomore, Voelker was one the team looked to when in need of a bucket from beyond the arc.
“When Mercedes is on, she can be pretty dang good and really fun to watch,” Ostenson exclaimed. “Those three-pointers can change the game in a hurry, and I anticipate she will get more open looks, and more inside-out opportunities because we have a more balanced team this year, and more kids who can and will drive to the hoop.”
The junior returns having played in 38 varsity games where she racked up 150 points, pulled down 102 rebounds, nabbed 23 steals, and distributed 26 assists.
With a few more offensive threats on the floor, Voelker will also have the luxury of not being the sole focus of opponents’ defensive efforts, which will offer her more opportunity to score.
Senior Madi Pearson is also back on the court after sitting out last season due to an ankle injury suffered during volleyball. As a sophomore, Pearson was a spark plug for the Lady Dogies and a go-to player to pull down rebounds and make defensive stops. According to Ostenson, that will be her role again this year.
“It will be great to have Madi back again, because she brings a toughness to the court on defense and under the hoop,” he nodded. “She did a lot of good things as a sophomore, and for being only 5’5” tall, her rebounding is pretty awesome.”
Pearson played in 31 varsity games where she put in 30 points, and grabbed 101 rebounds, had 33 steals, and 20 assists.
Claire Beastrom will be back to give the Lady Dogies some good minutes at the big guard/small forward position. 
“Claire has a good first step and can make the one-dribble drive and lay-up which makes her a pretty good go-to on offense,” Ostenson nodded. “She will also give a good defensive presence.”
Beastrom appeared in 33 varsity games last season and put in 34 points, got 36 rebounds, had 13 steals, and nine assists.
Sara Sweet is a senior and according to Ostenson, brings a leadership and strength to the floor on defense. 
“She’s a little vertically challenged, but she plays tough defense on the bigs inside,” Ostenson smiled. “There’s not many who will move her, but she will move others around pretty much at will.”
Sweet didn’t see a great deal of varsity time last season given she was behind three other post players but did make an appearance in 33 contests for a least a few minutes. 
Sophomore Shawnee Miles is also a player that Ostenson is anticipating getting some good minutes for the Lady Dogies.
“Shawnee put in a ton of work this summer and has looked really good playing in open gym this year. She’s looking strong and should do some good things for us,” he nodded. “She can knock the three down with the catch and shoot and she finishes pretty well in the inside too.”
Though yet untried on the 3A varsity scene, Ostenson is anticipating getting some freshmen into the action this year. Jaylen Ostenson, Shelby Tidyman, Alli Cass and Makenzie Conzelman are a few of the players who are coming in with the potential to make some big contributions to the Lady Dogies.
“These are girls who have played together for a long time, they see the court really well and distribute the ball well too,” he declared. “Shelby will probably be one of the best defensive players we’ve had in a long time. She works hard, gets down on defense and is really quick.”
There will be a lot of players to watch this season as Ostenson is hoping to go 10-deep on the bench. His season goal is to play 84 feet, so having fresh legs will be paramount to that game plan.
“We have some kids who can really put the ball in the hoop this year,” he smiled. “Our open gyms have been really fun because we might go three trips in a row and knock down threes every time, and it’s not the same person making that basket so that’s awesome. I’m excited for this year.”