MANKATO, Minn.-- The goal remains the same each year for the Bethany Lutheran women's basketball team under 18^th year head coach Lyle Jones: to be undefeated. "I know 99.9% of teams don't get to do that, but we take every game whether it's nonconference, conference, conference tournament, national tournament, we want to win every game," said Jones. "I know a lot of coaches might think that's kind of braggy, but you have to set those sights high."



The Vikings return four starters that set seven season team records, won the first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) tournament championship, and made the first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in program history, in juniors Hanna Geistfeld (Truman, Minn.), Abby Olson (Montevideo, Minn.) and Kenlie Pytleski (East Chain, Minn.), and senior Emily Skrien (Nicollet, Minn.).

"These four played very well together last year, though we came up short in the National Tournament," said Jones. "We have a great point guard with Abby who was a Third-team All-Region selection last year, and has some things to prove. The one we're looking forward to see a little more from is Emily Skrien. She's been playing much better this year defensively, and has been doing a great job in practice."

Olson, a First-team All-Conference selection, led the team with 18.5 PPG, Geistfeld averaged 15.0 PPG, Pytleski had 8.2 and Skrien had 4.8 last season. Geistfeld also led the team on the glass with 7.0 rebounds per game and was a Second-team All-Conference honoree.

On the career leader lists, Olson ranks fourth in three-point field goals (99), eighth in assists (179) and 10^th in points (820). Geistfeld is ninth in field goals (291), and Pytleski is ninth in blocks shots (37) while Skrien is ninth in three-point field goals (63).

The program welcomes eight newcomers to its roster, but injuries in the early part of the season have hindered their orientation to the team. "We have quite a few injuries and our top three freshmen we thought would contribute have some major injuries, some may be a month to two months out," said Jones.

BLC participated in a scrimmage in the preseason and Jones likes the measuring stick it provides to the team's progression. "Scrimmages are times where you can see how things are flowing for your team," he said. "The positive thing is seeing the continuity about how they play together, and also shows us what we need to shore up.

Bethany was picked to win the UMAC title in the preseason coaches poll. "Usually the team that does well in the previous season gets ranked number one and for us, it's great the coaches voted us that way," said Jones. "It's great for the accolade that you did a nice job and hopefully you do well this year, but we take it one game at a time. It's nice to be recognized, but it's about the hard work and how you're going to finish the games."

The Vikings' nonconference schedule features numerous strong regional opponents. "We try to get quite a few of the MIAC teams as those season your players, and get a chance to experience some tougher competition," said Jones. "Last year we did fairly well in our nonconference games. It's a great way for us coaches to really see where we are deficient and what do we need to work on."

BLC opens the 2019-20 season Saturday, Nov. 9 when it hosts St. Olaf at 3 p.m.