Thief River Falls, Minn. - 

The Northland women's basketball team opens the 2024-25 season at home tonight with a non-conference game against Providence University of Manitoba. The opening tipoff is set for 6 p.m. 
The 2024-25 Northland women's basketball team features a mixture of experienced sophomores and a talented freshman class. 
"This team has great size, athleticism, and depth," said Head Coach Shannon Nelson. "We've had some good-level of competition in practice because of that depth, which has been really fun to see as coaches. We have an interesting combination in terms of experience  – three returners from 2023-24, one transfer sophomore, three 2023 high school graduates who did not play last year, and five freshmen. We are working on meshing these different experience levels right now to build one common system around the entire team."
The Pioneers will lean on three sophomores with national tournament experience as they build on a third place finish at last year's NJCAA Division III Championship.
Returning sophomores include forward Hannah Halvorson, Park River, N.D., (5.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game); guard Josie Iverson, Winger (11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game); and guard/forward Tiyana Schwinghammer, Brooten (15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists).
"We expect all three to step into even bigger roles than last year," Nelson said. "They know how we do things and the expectations for this program and we expect them to be able to demonstrate and communicate these things to the newcomers. All three will play significant roles on the court and we'll look for them to set the tone early in the season as everyone else is learning a new system. I believe all three will be difference-makers for us."  
Other sophomores on the roster are guard Teagyn Fitzsimonds, Cavalier, N.D., a transfer from Lake Region State College. In 10 games with the Royals, she scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and recorded five assists.
"Teagyn is quick off the dribble, can knock down open three-pointers, and is a solid on-ball defender," Nelson said. "She gives us some depth in the point guard position and can help take some of the load off of Josie's shoulders.
Newcomers to the Pioneers are:
• Leslie Murken, sophomore guard from Starbuck;
• Lola Garrett, freshman center, Moorhead;
        • Rylie Klopp, freshman forward, Karlstad;
• Kinsley Hanson, freshman forward, Greenbush;
• Breanna Myers, freshman guard, Thief River Falls.
• Sarah Prodzinzki, freshman forward, Ada;
• Jade Reese, freshman guard, Greenbush;
• Sierra Westberg, freshman center, Middle River.
"We are going to rely heavily on this group to be able to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact," Nelson said. "They all have a variety of complementary skills that we will look to take advantage of. 
"Jade is long and athletic in the guard position. She has great quickness and will be a key for us defensively.
"Kinsley, Sarah, and Sierra add to our depth inside and can also stretch post defenders offensively.
"Rylie and Lola are strong and physical inside and are excellent post defenders and rebounders.
"Leslie and Bree are strong three-point shooters who will help us stretch the defense."
The Pioneers are the preseason favorite in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Northern Division and one of the overall favorites in the MCAC as a whole, which currently features four programs ranked in the top-five of the NJCAA Division III preseason poll. Defending runner-up Rochester is ranked number one. The Pioneers are ranked second. Anoka-Ramsey is ranked third and defending national champion Minnesota West is ranked fifth. 
The Pioneers are coming off a third-place finish at last year's NJCAA Division III Championships. Nelson believes this year's team can make another deep postseason run. 
"I'd be lying if I said our goals aren't lofty," Nelson said. "We believe we have the tools to make a deep run in the postseason and a national tournament. Any coach would tell you that it's a long season, though, and there is a big difference between having the tools and putting it all together on the court. Our ability to execute a game plan and our own system is key to our success. We need players to accept and embrace their roles, whatever they may be, and fulfill them to the best of their abilities. We might have some bumps along the way but we hope to pick up right where we left off last season."