The Winona State University women\u2019s basketball team finished their 2020-21 campaign this weekend after a sweep of the Upper Iowa University Peacocks, a feat which head coach Scott Ballard described as difficult to accomplish during the shortened season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had four separate quarantines during our season and it\u2019s really hard to gain any momentum when you have interruptions all the time,\u201d Ballard said, \u201cpractice is important to gain confidence in what you\u2019re doing, when it gets taken away periodically, the confidence isn\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballard said winning both games of a weekend series against the same team is challenging because of the lack of opportunity to adjust due to the infrequency of practices.\u00a0 \u201cYou can talk but there\u2019s no repetitions,\u201d Ballard said. He added there is also the extra layer of motivation for the team that loses the first game.<\/p>\n
Despite the lack of a tournament seed due to the field being cut in half from years prior, the Warriors will have much to look forward to next season.<\/p>\n
An extra year of eligibility for their four senior starters, each of whom have continued to develop in Ballard\u2019s program, will provide the Warriors with a combination of experienced talent to match the youth of four incoming high school recruits.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the most decorated member of the team, three-time NSIC second team All-Conference selection and former WSU and NSIC Freshman Female Athlete of the Year Allie Pickrain, has dealt with a knee injury the entire season resulting in her playing time decrease.\u00a0 The injury will require surgery.\u00a0 The sharp-shooting wing does not expect to miss any time next season.<\/p>\n