Feb. 13-14: Vikes women's basketball vs. Trinity Western Spartans (McKinnon Gym)
By Ali Lee, Vikes Communications
VICTORIA, B.C. – In 2010 the University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball program knew they were about to see a big turnover as fifth-year standouts Jane Anholt, Kayla Dykstra and Vanessa Forstbauer were closing out their final season. Little did UVic know that then rookies Cassandra Goodis and Jessica Renfrew were going to pick up right where the outgoing trio left off. Now, five quick seasons later and the Goodis-Renfrew duo are about to close their final regular season games together, Feb. 13-14, on home court against Trinity Western.
It will be a memorable weekend as not only do the Vikes celebrate their graduating seniors but also it will be an iconic celebration of the McKinnon Gym and the Vikes Athletics era of excellence that goes with it. This weekend's final regular season basketball games will be the last to grace the Ken and Kathy Shields court as all Vikes varsity programs will be calling the soon-to-be-opened Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) home starting this Spring. Playoff hosting is still in the picture, but for now, it is a guarantee that this weekend will mark the end of an era.
Following last weekend's two wins over Brandon, the Vikes have climbed the standings of the Pioneer Division to sit sixth with an 11-7 record. The Trinity Western Spartans (4-14) are without playoff hopes but will look to close out their final games on a positive note.
This week point guard Goodis was named Canada West Second Star of the Week after surpassing Lani Gibbons, of Simon Fraser, for all-time career assists in the conference. Goodis, now with 545 career assists and climbing, can also break the Vikes' record for steals as she is just three steals back from Lindsay Anderson's 269. Achieving that mark would also place Goodis second all-time for steals in Canada West.
Renfrew has also been a cornerstone for this young Vikes squad, leading the team with an average of 15.3 points per game and 27.1 minutes per game. Though the senior duo pull considerable weight on the floor the team's climb back into the running after their fall start of only two wins, is not without credit to a strong supporting cast.
Third year Jenna Bugiardini has established herself as one of the best two-way players for the Vikes. The former CIS All-Rookie team member is second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game and she leads the Vikes in rebounds, with an average of 6.9 per game. Also important in the mix for this weekend will be six-foot-one Nicole Karstein, fourth year Shaylyn Crisp and third year Jenna Krug, while rookies Amy Sprangers and Amira Giannattasio will need to continue to step up to the plate as the team enters the playoff race.
The Spartans will be looking to rebound back after two-straight losses to Winnipeg on their home court. Despite the losses rookie guard Jessie Brown had a career-high 27-point performance, while third-year Luca Schmidt hit a Trinity Western record with 10 assists. Brown leads the Spartans with an average of 12.2 points per game, while Kayla Gordon has averaged 11. This weekend will also be the final games for graduating seniors Chantelle Martin and Laurissa Weigl.
The Vikes and Spartans will tip off on Friday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. and then again on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. Graduating senior will be honoured on Feb. 13, while the Vikes Athletics "McKinnon Era" celebration will take place throughout Feb. 14. Games will be broadcast with live video and stats at uvic.canadawest.tv.