This year, the women’s basketball team is looking to build on its past success and break out as the top team in the Northwest Conference. After a disappointing loss in the first round of the playoffs last year, the women return with a new playing style and an eye on the goal of being NWC champions.

“It’s heartbreaking to look at some of the games [from last season],” said junior guard Kelly Peterson. “A lot of those games we lost were really close.”

Eight of Whitman’s 11 losses were by margins of less than 10 points.

These close losses provided valuable learning, however, which will pay big dividends this season.

“We got a lot of experience. We played a lot of close games, and I think we have learned how to close out those games,” said junior forward Mary Madden.

“We know what it takes to win and do well,” said Peterson.

The women are using a new offensive game style based around speed and a playbook consisting of more than 100 plays. This style plays perfectly into Whitman’s strengths.

“We want to utilize our quickness and speed, and this fast pace also means a lot of different line-ups,” said Peterson.

This requires a quick analysis of plays and good court vision.

“I think our biggest strength is our high basketball IQ,” Peterson said with a smile. “We know how to run the plays and read the other teams.”

Winning the close games will no doubt be the deciding factor when it comes to topping the conference.

“Our goal is to win it all,” said sophomore Marah Alindogan.

“We could realistically win conference, but we’re really working toward getting a playoff game at home,” said Madden.

This, of course, would mean a top-two finish in the conference.

Most important, however, is the team attitude.

“We have a lot to prove, and we are playing with a chip on our shoulder this season,” said Madden. “Our team is very cohesive and hardworking.”

With high goals and a strong will, the women are ready to take on the conference.

Madden voiced the team’s confidence.

“All the hard work will pay off. The last three or four years we have finished no higher than third. We want to break that mold.”