Season Preview: 2023-24 Concordia Women's Basketball
October 18, 2023
2022-23 Record: 20-12 overall, 14-8 GPAC (T-5th); NAIA national qualifier (round of 32). Head Coach: Drew Olson (443-133, 17 years; 15 national tournament appearances; 12 GPAC regular season/tournament titles; five national semifinal advancements, including two runners up; 2019 national champions). Returning Starters: F Abby Heemstra; G Abby Krieser; F Sadie Powell; G Taysha Rushton; G Mackenzie Toomey. Other Key Returners: G Megan Belt; G Kendal Brigham; F Kristin Vieselmeyer. Key Loss: F Mackenzie Koepke. 2022-23 GPAC All-Conference: Taysha Rushton (First Team); Abby Krieser (Second Team); Sadie Powell (Second Team); Kendal Brigham (Honorable Mention); Mackenzie Toomey (Honorable Mention). 2022-23 NAIA All-American: Taysha Rushton (Honorable Mention).
Outlook
The top eight scorers return from a 2022-23 Concordia University Women’s Basketball team that reached the NAIA national round of 32. The makeup of the roster gives Head Coach Drew Olson his most experienced group since the 2019-20 season that was cut short (by COVID-19) when the Bulldogs held the nation’s No. 1 ranking. Following a solid 20-win season, dynamic guard Taysha Rushton and company have set their sights on a return to the NAIA’s biggest and brightest stage: the final site of the national tournament.
For much of Olson’s career, the program has lived at the Tyson Events Center, where an NAIA national champion is crowned annually. The competitive dynamics changed a bit starting with the 2020-21 season when two divisions of NAIA basketball became one. This is a program that isn’t going to back down from a challenge. This go-round, Concordia believes it has the right mix of veterans and depth of talent to shoot for the stars.
“It was a tough draw,” said Olson of the team’s 2023 national tournament assignment. “I thought we handled it really well. I thought we played well, especially that first game against Columbia. Thomas More was just really, really good. We took some things away from the Thomas More game and learned from it. It kind of motivated us a little bit for this offseason. I just think our team is very motivated. We know what it takes and we’re ready to take that next step.”
Hard lessons at the national tournament just might serve the Bulldogs well entering the 2023-24 campaign. Tournament exits prior to the final site are deemed somewhat of a disappointment only because of the astounding success Olson has experienced at the helm of his alma mater. Olson’s accomplishments include a national championship in 2019, three national title game appearances, five national semifinal trips and 12 combined GPAC championships. All those things are nice, but Olson is focused on giving this current squad every opportunity to enjoy a special season of its own.
The starting lineup will look familiar to Bulldog fans as Concordia welcomes back the likes of Rushton, Abby Krieser and Mackenzie Toomey in the backcourt and Abby Heemstra and Sadie Powell in the frontcourt. The presence of Kendal Brigham is like having a sixth returning starter considering the minutes she’s played in her career. Out of those six integral players, four are seniors and two are juniors (in terms of academic stature).
Olson has had a blast coaching the senior class, which also includes guard Hanna Spearman (who is making her way back from injury). Said Olson, “It’s a really special group. I don’t think I’ve ever had a group that’s gone through as much as they have. With COVID their first year, it was different and it was weird. It was really hard with masks in terms of getting to know each other. We had a decent year and then had kind of a rough year their sophomore year. Then last year was just so fun. I’m really proud of them and grateful for how they have bought into my coaching. The culture we have at Concordia is thanks to a lot of the past players, but I think they’ve done a great job of continuing that tradition. They’re incredible people and I love coaching them on a daily basis.”
It all starts with Rushton, a Midland, Texas, native and an impact player the day she stepped on campus. As just a freshman, Rushton poured in 27 points in the national round of 16 upset of fourth-ranked Marian (Ind.). After three seasons as a Bulldog, Rushton ranks 14th in program history with 1,408 career points while draining 217 3-point field goals. Trey-sha! (Okay, so she’s not a huge fan of that nickname). Last season was Ruhston’s best yet as she shot 42.5 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from 3-point range. Her shot attempts went down and her efficiency went up.
Prior to the season, Rushton took a moment to reflect on the journey to this point. Four years ago, she made the decision to spend her college days in Nebraska. Her love of basketball and the camaraderie with her teammates has kept her here.
“It’s probably the best decision I’ve made in my life,” Rushton said. “I went through some rough patches freshman and sophomore year thinking about leaving because I wanted to go to cosmetology school. I love basketball too much and I decided to stay. It’s honestly so crazy looking back. This is my senior year. No way I’ve already been here four years. I’ve made the best friends on my team. I have great relationships with the coaches. I love Concordia and I’m so glad I chose to come here.”
With Rushton leading the way, the Bulldogs boast a backcourt that will be a major pain for opposing teams that have to deal with the patented full-court press. Defensively, the Lincoln North Star product Krieser is as pesky as anyone in the GPAC. Her exploits were a major reason why Concordia topped the GPAC with an average of 19.3 turnovers per game forced in 2022-23. Krieser also made major strides offensively and averaged 9.8 points while shooting 49.0 percent from the floor as a sophomore.
Meanwhile, Toomey is a scrapper who can fill the stat sheet and Brigham brings speed, athleticism and 3-point shooting to the floor. The core guards – Brigham, Krieser, Rushton and Toomey – each played at least 22.9 minutes per game last season. In other words, this is one of the more experienced and battle-tested backcourts in the entire country.
Said Olson in expanding upon the talents of Krieser, “We just want to see her continue to do what she was doing last year at the end of the year. I thought she was incredible defensively and I’m not sure she got the credit she deserved. I think she’s one of the best defensive players in our league. Offensively, she’s shooting it well and she’s incredible in transition and a great driver. She’s someone that has even more in her, and I’m really excited to see that.”
The Bulldogs would have started the same five in all 32 games last year if not for the shuffling Olson did on senior day to give a nod to his most veteran players. Frontcourt stalwarts Heemstra and Powell did hear their names called to begin all 32 contests in 2022-23. The 6-foot Powell does a little bit of everything in terms of shooting, low-post scoring, defending and rebounding. She averaged 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds last season. An Iowa native like Powell, Heemstra is a vital piece to the team’s defense in the post and contributed 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds last season.
As freshmen in 2022-23, both guard Megan Belt and forward Kristin Vieselmeyer saw significant action. Unfortunately for Belt, she went down with a knee injury at CIT and has been on the mend this offseason. She appears to be on track to play this November and is a major 3-point threat (35.2 percent in 2022-23). As for Vieselmeyer, she showcases a unique ability to finish around the basket and was a dead-eye shooter from the foul line (59-for-70). She appeared to be scratching the surface of her potential. Another returning contributor is guard Reece Snodgrass.
Then there are the freshmen. A handful of those players could see varsity action, including JJ Jones and Sammy Leu. The frenetic pace that Olson prefers typically lends to Concordia making liberal use of its bench talents.
The good news is that the young players won’t have to be thrown into the fire before they’re ready. The current seniors went through trials and tribulations as youthful players in their early years, but they’re older, wiser and well-equipped to lead this team to greater heights. Says Olson, “There have been ups and downs. When you’re relying on freshmen to play right away, there are going to be some definite challenges. We’ve learned a lot throughout those times. They have shown a lot of toughness, and they’re really fun to be around. They want to win, and I think they’re ready to take another big step this year.”
Added Rushton, “It’s super nice with us upperclassmen leading by example because we do have a lot of freshmen trying to work through it and get playing time. It makes everything flow a lot easier. We’ve already put in like four different defenses, and they’re all looking pretty good. We’ve put in new sets. Our preseason has been pretty fun.”
The Bulldogs finished last season outside of the NAIA coaches’ poll, but they expect to break back into it this winter. Quite frankly, the coaches and players inside the program don’t have much regard for outside expectations. “It doesn’t really phase us,” Olson said. “It’s a preseason poll and it all shakes out in the end. If it gives us a chip on our shoulder and motivates us, sure, great. But it doesn't really matter. We’ve got a tough schedule. We just focus on Sterling and Marian the first couple games. We’re really excited to host them. I think those are going to be great basketball games.”
Rushton got a taste for the final site as a freshman and she wants back in. Said Rushton, “Our goal is to make it to Sioux City and make a run at a national championship. We definitely have big goals this year.”
The 2023-24 season will officially tip off at the 24th annual Cattle Classic coming up on Nov. 3-4. The opponents that Concordia will welcome to Friedrich Arena will be Sterling College (Kan.) and Marian University (Ind.).
Concordia’s veteran squad vaulted to third in GPAC preseason poll
October 19, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – Higher expectations from last season are set upon the Concordia University Women’s Basketball team, as the conference released the 2023-24 GPAC Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll on Thursday (Oct. 19). The league’s coaches ballot vaulted the Bulldogs to third place, from last year’s fifth, with a total of 99 points that included one first place vote in the poll. The conference’s top four, according to the poll, heading into the season are Dordt, Briar Cliff, Concordia and Jamestown.
Seasoned Head Coach Drew Olson dives into his 18th season as the front man of the Bulldogs. The program returns a wealth of veterans, starting with three time First Team All-GPAC honoree Taysha Rushton, a two-time NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. Second Team All-GPAC picks Abby Krieser and Sadie Powell come back to the hardwood for their junior and senior seasons, respectively. Guards Kendal Brigham and Mackenzie Toomey garnered All-GPAC Honorable Mention in their 2022-23 campaigns.
Under Coach Olson, the women’s basketball program has had a ton of success including one national championship, two runners up, five national tournament semifinal advancements and 12 combined GPAC championships. Concordia looks to return to the final site of the national tournament, where it most recently appeared in 2021 (national quarterfinalist). The program finished last season at 20-12 overall and 14-8 in the GPAC, placing tied for fifth with Northwestern. Its national tournament run ended in the round of 32 against Thomas More University (Ky.).
The Bulldogs will start the 2023-24 season at the 24th annual Cattle Classic in Friedrich Arena on Nov. 3-4. The teams set to match against Concordia are Sterling College (Kan.) and Marian University (Ind.).
Playmaking Texan grateful for taking chance on Concordia
October 20, 2023
Upon first spotting the 5-foot-5 blonde-haired Texan with superior quickness and handles, assistant coach Tae’lor Purdy-Korrell sensed that excitement that fellow coaches would understand. Coach Tae’lor had discovered a gem at a summer club tournament in Denver. If Coach Tae’lor was being honest, she wasn’t quite sure that Concordia could land the services of Taysha Rushton, then a high school junior-to-be and standout for the West Texas Breeze.
Head Coach Drew Olson’s program has maintained powerhouse status while mining local Nebraska talent, but you don’t pass up on a Taysha Rushton, no matter her home state. Olson and Purdy-Korrell went hard after Rushton when they found reciprocal interest.
“Tae’lor first saw her in Denver and she said, ‘You have to come see this kid,’” Olson said. “Taysha definitely stood out. She wanted to see if there was interest from DI. I believe she had a couple of D2’s that were looking at her. We were able to convince her to come to a summer camp. Initially, she liked Concordia but I’m not sure she was ready to come to Nebraska or play NAIA. We kept hanging around and stuck with her. She was willing to come for our style of play and for how we valued her.”
The native of Midland, Texas, and graduate of Monterey High School (in Lubbock, Texas) brought her southern accent and big-time game to Seward beginning with the 2020-21 academic year. Since then, Rushton has been everything Olson and his staff could have hoped for, both on the court and for the example she’s set with her commitment to high achievement. Rushton can flat out score. She’s used her quicks and 3-point stroke (217 career treys) to pile up 1,408 points over three seasons. Though overlooked to some extent, her defensive tenacity is also no joke.
Rushton’s abilities on the court have perfectly fit the type of up-tempo, full-court pressure style that Olson has translated into incredible success. By year, Rushton has averaged 14.4, 17.7 and 14.0 points per game, respectively. As just a freshman, Rushton poured in 27 points in an upset of fourth-ranked Marian University (Ind.) in the round of 16 at the national tournament. “That will probably always be one of my favorite memories,” Taysha says. This past year, Rushton found a comfort zone that saw her increase her shooting percentages (41.1 percent from 3-point range) while understanding when to take over and how to maximize the abilities of her teammates.
Off the court, Rushton has experienced stressors and moments of doubt that she eventually conquered. As Rushton explained of her college experience, “It’s probably the best decision I’ve made in my life. I went through some rough patches freshman and sophomore year thinking about leaving because I wanted to go to cosmetology school. I love basketball too much and I decided to stay. It’s honestly so crazy looking back. This is my senior year. No way I’ve already been here four years. I’ve made the best friends on my team. I have great relationships with the coaches. I love Concordia and I’m so glad I chose to come here.”
Cosmetology school can wait for Rushton, who says that her dream job is either a hairdresser or stay-at-home mom. She can look forward to such a future, but Rushton realizes she can’t take the present for granted. She’ll never have quite this life again. This current life means rooming with five other teammates and living and breathing basketball – when she’s not focused on her Strategic Communications coursework, of course. As Rushton puts it, “You’d think it would be super crazy living with six girls, but it’s super fun.”
Rushton arrived at Concordia as part of the same freshman class that included Kendal Brigham, Sadie Powell, Hanna Spearman and Mackenzie Toomey, among others. Says Rushton of her fellow classmates, “They’re my best friends. It’s super fun to play and battle and grind and get better every day when you’re playing with your friends. We love each other and we’re going to work hard for each other. It’s always a good time, always fun. We’re working hard in practice competing and afterwards we’re laughing and cracking jokes. It’s just always a fun time.”
Born in Olympia, Wash., Taysha is the youngest of eight siblings. It was Taysha’s brother Landon who had the biggest impact upon her, at least in terms of her desire to be great at basketball. Even as the family relocated to Texas, Taysha’s father and brothers continued to root for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and the MLB’s Seattle Mariners. Taysha took up a liking for Texas Tech men’s basketball.
Landon went back to the family’s roots when he attended The Evergreen State College in Olympia and played basketball for the Geoducks. Taysha wanted to be a hooper too. “I always looked up to him,” Taysha said. “I always wanted to be him when I was growing up. He played basketball and played four years in college. He was one of my biggest inspirations. He was who I looked up to the most.”
The independent Taysha took her own path and carved out her own journey in a state she hadn’t given much thought to prior to her interactions with the Concordia coaching staff. Why Nebraska? “Definitely not the cold weather,” Taysha joked. As she tells the story, Taysha says she actually did want to get far away from Texas to experience something different. The more she found out about Concordia, the more she liked. The women’s basketball program was a big winner and the team’s style of play (which accentuates guard play) appealed greatly to her in the recruiting process. A visit to campus her junior year of high school helped seal it.
On April 24, 2020, Rushton made it official when she tweeted, “Excited to be a Bulldog!!” along with photos of her and her parents wearing Concordia Nebraska t-shirts. The time since then has gone too fast in Taysha’s eyes. She may not love the winter weather around these parts, but she’s given in and even has worn Husker red alongside her teammates (when the situation calls for it). She thinks it’s about time her friends pay a visit to The Lone Star State.
Says Taysha, “I’ve been telling them the past three years that we need to make a trip to Texas – just a girls trip. We did go play in Texas, which was fun, but maybe as a senior class, after this season, we’ll take a trip to Texas.”
As part of the trip, perhaps they could check in on Texas inhabitant Taylor (Cockerill) Castaneda, a former Bulldog star who finished her Concordia career during Rushton’s freshman season. TC and Taysha teamed up as a dynamic backcourt duo that 2020-21 season. TC showed Taysha what it meant to be a leader within the Concordia Women’s Basketball program. Said Taysha, “I saw how hard she worked every day, and she accomplished a lot of the goals that I want to accomplish. I wanted to live up to that work ethic.”
Taysha has surely made TC proud. The same could be said for her head coach. One way Taysha has improved at her craft is by having Coach Olson defend her one-on-one outside of practice time. Says Taysha, “I don’t think he’d like me saying this, but I definitely beat him the majority of the time.”
Game on! Olson appreciates such competitive spirit. Said Olson, “She’s an incredible player. Her work ethic is probably the best we’ve seen in a long time. She puts herself in a position to have that kind of success. She shoots it at an efficient clip, and she can distribute the ball too. She’s trusting in her teammates and allowing them to do more.”
In the present, Rushton is focused on going all out in 2023-24. What happens after that is too far into the future for her to worry about right now. She’s currently an academic senior, but Rushton could also play in 2024-25 should she choose to use her ‘COVID year’ of eligibility. That decision has not yet been made. Upon the conclusion of her college career, Taysha could opt for cosmetology school – or she could attempt to keep playing basketball.
“I live day by day,” Rushton said. “I’ve thought about playing overseas. That could be a goal of mine, but we’ll see what comes after.”
The ‘day by day’ in October of 2023 means preparing in earnest for the season ahead. Some reflection is appropriate prior to what might be (or might not be) Rushton’s final season as a Bulldog.
As Olson said, “I know she struggled sometimes her first year or two. I’m glad she saw the value in Concordia and how much we care about her. I know she loves her teammates.”
Bulldogs crack NAIA preseason poll at No. 17
October 25, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – The returning talent and experience within the Concordia University Women’s Basketball program has resulted in a preseason national ranking. In the unveiling of the 2023-24 NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll on Wednesday (Oct. 25), the Bulldogs landed at No. 17 with 234 points. This marks the 15th time in Head Coach Drew Olson’s 18-year tenure that Concordia has been tagged with a preseason national ranking.
Among GPAC teams, the Bulldogs are ranked third behind No. 3 Dordt and No. 12 Briar Cliff. In addition, Jamestown is listed among others receiving votes.
Concordia welcomes back its top eight scorers, including all five starters, from the 2022-23 team that reached the second round of the NAIA national tournament. The headlining returner is three-time First Team All-GPAC guard Taysha Rushton (a two-time NAIA Honorable Mention All-American). Four of her teammates also earned all-conference awards last season: Abby Krieser (second team), Sadie Powell (second team), Kendal Brigham (honorable mention) and Mackenzie Toomey (honorable mention).
The 2022-23 team received votes nationally at one point but fell short of cracking the top 25. During the 2011-12 through 2019-20 seasons, Olson’s squads appeared in 97 consecutive NAIA coaches’ polls while garnering the No. 1 ranking a total of 16 times. The Bulldogs finished inside the top five of NAIA Division II in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Preseason rankings under Olson 2023-24: 17 2022-23: NR 2021-22: 9 2020-21: 11 2019-20: 1 2018-19: 1 2017-18: 3 2016-17: 14 2015-16: 4 2014-15: 9 2013-14: 5 2012-13: 1 2011-12: 22 2010-11: 11 2009-10: 22 2008-09: 7 2007-08: NR 2006-07: NR
Final end of season rankings under Olson 2022-23: NR 2021-22: NR 2020-21: 17 2019-20: 1 2018-19: 1 2017-18: 2 2016-17: 3 2015-16: 19 2014-15: 2 2013-14: 13 2012-13: 9 2011-12: 3 2010-11: NR 2009-10: NR 2008-09: 8 2007-08: 10 2006-07: NR
Leu shines in debut as Bulldogs roll past Sterling
November 3, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – It was vintage Concordia University Women’s Basketball on Friday (Nov. 3) as Head Coach Drew Olson unleashed a pack of hungry Dawgs. Freshman Sammy Leu caught fire early and the speed and quickness of No. 17 Concordia overwhelmed 2023 national qualifying Sterling College (Kan.), 95-70. The rout took place as part of day one of the 24th annual Cattle Classic inside Friedrich Arena.
Olson has begun his 18th season leading the Bulldogs, who are fresh off a 2022-23 campaign that saw them reach the NAIA national tournament second round. Olson has his most experienced roster since the 2019-20 season.
“I thought we did a lot of really good things, especially defensively,” Olson said. “The pace we played at tonight is good. I just love how hard we played throughout. We have a team that has a lot of confidence because of the returners. We also have a lot more depth and I think the length defensively helps us play the style we want to play.”
The Wahoo High School alum Leu couldn’t have scripted much better of a collegiate debut. She drained her first five shots from the floor, including four from 3-point range. The rookie poured in a game high 20 points in leading a squad teeming with depth. While going 14 deep, Concordia wreaked havoc with its gnats-at-a-picnic full-court pressure. That tenacity resulted in 29 Warrior turnovers. The frenetically paced contest featured 50 first-quarter points (30-20 Bulldog lead).
Olson’s starting lineup included familiar faces in guards Abby Krieser, Taysha Rushton and Mackenzie Toomey and forwards Sadie Powell and Kristin Vieselmeyer. The backcourt set the tone in this one. Off the bench, Kendal Brigham filled the stat sheet with nine points, seven assists and three steals. The dynamic Rushton added 13 points and three assists and Krieser contributed 11 points and five rebounds. In addition to her 20 points, Leu supplied five rebounds and three steals.
Said Olson of Leu, “She’s a great player, a really confident player. She knows what her strengths are, and she can really shoot it. She does a lot of other really good things too with her defense and her length. We’re really excited to have her.”
The lead ballooned to as many 35 points late in the third quarter. To Sterling’s credit, it got back within 19 midway through the fourth quarter. Kali Briar helped give the Warriors a fighting chance with her 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting. When they needed to, the Bulldogs turned the heat back up. Freshman Raelyn Kelty put the finishing touches on the victory with a three-point play in the final minute.
This was also the season opener for Sterling, which finished last season at 26-6 overall and reached the national round of 32. Two years earlier, the Warriors crashed the party at the Cattle Classic and handled Concordia, 84-66. This time around, they fell victim to an ultra-aggressive foe that swiped 18 steals. Korynn Clason (14) and Kayla Morris (11) joined Briar in double figures.
The Bulldogs’ acts of thievery included three steals apiece from Powell and Vieselmeyer. A sophomore from Holyoke, Colo., Vieselmeyer tacked on 10 points as each of the starters tallied at least eight points. Six different Concordia players drained at least one triple. The Bulldogs shot 41.7 percent from the field overall and 28.9 percent from 3-point range.
The Cattle Classic will resume on Saturday. In a 2 p.m. CT tipoff, Concordia will meet up with No. 5 Marian University (Ind.). Led by reigning national player of the year Ella Collier, the Knights defeated No. 8, 78-69, on Friday at the Cattle Classic. Concordia and Marian went head-to-head in a memorable national round of 16 clash won by the Bulldogs in 2021.
Third quarter surge lifts Concordia over No. 5 Marian at Cattle Classic
November 4, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – With a chance to make an early season statement, the 17th-ranked Concordia University Women’s Basketball team capitalized. One day after blowing out Sterling College (Kan.), the Bulldogs returned to action at the 24th annual Cattle Classic and upset No. 5 Marian University (Ind.), 75-62, behind a 22-point outing from star guard Taysha Rushton. Concordia rode a 26-11 third quarter scoring advantage to victory inside Friedrich Arena on Saturday (Nov. 4) afternoon.
Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad has opened up the season at 2-0 with a pair of wins over 2023 national tournament qualifiers. Rushton and Kendal Brigham were named to the 2023 All-Cattle Classic team.
“I thought we had great composure and toughness throughout the game,” Olson said. “In that third quarter, the big difference was we were able to speed them up a little bit at times and create some transition baskets. I felt like we settled down. That second quarter, we were a little too sped-up ourselves. In the third quarter we played really, really well.”
Neither team had their ‘A’ game in the opening half, which saw the Knights take a 32-30 lead to the break. The Bulldogs started the third quarter on a 10-2 run and then put together a 9-0 spurt later in the period in taking control of the contest. Eleven of Marian’s 25 turnovers came during the third quarter stretch that defined the game. Then in the fourth quarter, the Knights slashed a 16-point deficit to eight before Concordia slammed the door. Brigham curled in a dagger of a trey that made it 73-60 with less than two minutes to go.
The plus-12 turnover margin for the Bulldogs paid dividends on an afternoon when both teams struggled to shoot from the perimeter. Rushton provided the scoring touch Concordia needed as she made 8-of-20 shots from the floor. Other double figure scorers were Brigham (14) and Abby Krieser (11). Mackenzie Toomey also added nine points and four steals and Sadie Powell chipped in with seven points and six rebounds. As a team, the Bulldogs shot 45.9 percent from the floor and made 15-of-17 (.882) tries from the foul line.
Led by veteran head coach Steve Brooks, Marian reached the national quarterfinals this past season. The Knights possess star power in the form of reigning national player of the year Ella Collier and post Kinnidy Garrard. Collier topped Marian with 18 points on Saturday. Garrard got the nod as the team’s All-Cattle Classic selection. The Knights shot 51.2 percent from the field but had only 43 shot attempts.
Said Olson, “They’re a really good team. I felt like defensively we did some really nice things by speeding them up in the press a little bit. In the half court, I felt like we did a really good job of understanding what they were trying to do and being able to limit that.
“I think it gives our team a lot of confidence. We had confidence coming into the year, but this kind of validates it. We’re excited and we know we have to get better. We have a full week off to continue to improve on some things, but I really like where our team’s at.”
Olson and Brooks have both led NAIA programs to national championships. With the latest victory, Olson pushed his career win total to 445, pulling him even with his former head coach Grant Schmidt (445-276) for the most victories of any head coach in the history of Concordia Athletics.
The Bulldogs will now wait until Nov. 15 for a return to action. On that date, Concordia will host Morningside (2-0) at 2 p.m. CT while tipping off league play. The Mustangs finished last season at 17-13 overall and were picked seventh in the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll.
All-Cattle Classic Team Kendal Brigham, Concordia Korynn Clason, Sterling Kinnidy Garrard, Marian Taysha Rushton, Concordia Angela Slattery, Dakota State
Pesky press punishes Morningside as Olson earns milestone win
November 15, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – Eleven days since its most recent outing, the Concordia University Women’s Basketball emerged like a pack of hungry dogs that hadn’t eaten since the upset of No. 5 Marian on Nov. 4. The Bulldogs used their patented full-court press to build a double-digit advantage in less than six minutes while blowing out visiting Morningside, 86-62, inside Friedrich Arena. The Concordia pressure cooker resulted in 32 turnovers forced in the GPAC opener for both sides on Wednesday (Nov. 15).
The win marked No. 446 in the coaching career of Drew Olson. That number carries significant weight in that it made Olson the winningest head coach in the history of Concordia Athletics, regardless of sport, eclipsing the 445 accumulated by former men’s basketball coach Grant Schmidt.
“I felt like we played really hard,” Olson said. “Our defensive pressure was really good as it always is. I didn’t feel like we were in great rhythm offensively. That second quarter we had a little bit of a lull and missed a lot of layups. That 10-day break was kind of tough for us, but I do feel like our energy level was really good. We started figuring things out in that third quarter.”
By the close of the first quarter, there was little doubt that Olson was about to claim another victory. There were 10-second violations and backcourt thefts galore as the Bulldogs pushed the advantage to 24-8 after 10 minutes. The tenacious Mackenzie Toomey plucked seven steals while Concordia eventually capitalized on buckets in the paint. The foot stayed on the throttle in the form of a 12-0 Bulldog run to begin the second half. The Bulldogs led by an even 30 points (54-24) at the time.
The lopsided nature of the contest lent for balanced Concordia scoring. The Bulldogs were running in transition so often that their half-court offense was only a small part of the equation against the combination of mostly zone and some man-to-man looks they saw. Taysha Rushton led all players in scoring with 15 points while Kendal Brigham and Sadie Powell notched 10 apiece. Toomey added nine points and three rebounds to her stat line and four other Concordia players posted at least six points: Bree Bunting (eight), Abby Heemstra (seven), Megan Belt (six) and Sammy Leu (six).
The Papillion, Neb., native Belt saw her first action since going down with an injury at the 2023 CIT. The Bulldogs went 14 deep on Wednesday with 13 of them registering in the scoring column. Nine of them pilfered at least one steal on an active night for the press.
Afterwards, the team celebrated with confetti and cupcakes in the locker room. Olson would never ask for the attention, but it’s been well-earned considering his 18 seasons of running a program built on a foundation of not only winning, but Christian character and togetherness.
“The celebration was fun because I care so much for them,” Olson said. “It’s cool that they care about me. It wasn’t something I really thought about a lot. Coach Schmidt’s an incredible coach. I think of all the different coaching icons and I don’t feel like I’m one of them. You’ve got Coach (Courtney) Meyer and Coach (Eunice) Goldgrabe and Coach (Carl) Everts and all these people. I’ve just been very blessed with incredible coaching staffs throughout my time. It’s all about the players. I’ve been very blessed to have some awesome players.”
Said Toomey, “We knew this was a big game for Coach, so we were extra locked in tonight … It was awesome to see the whole team and his family there and Coach Tae’lor (Purdy-Korell)’s family there. I’m really happy for him. He’s a great guy. An awesome coach. Clearly he’s very successful. I’m just happy for him.”
Morningside (3-2, 0-1 GPAC) has long been a powerhouse while led by Head Coach Jamie Sale. The Mustangs got a team high 12 points from Jaeden Webb on Wednesday. The visitors were outmatched in virtually every category. They went only 3-for-21 (.143) from 3-point range and allowed Concordia to shoot 45.8 percent overall. Morningside did manage a 50-29 rebound advantage.
The Bulldogs will hit the road for the first time this season when they venture to Orange City, Iowa, on Saturday for a clash with Northwestern (4-1, 1-0 GPAC). Tipoff from the Bultman Center is set for 5 p.m. CT (an adjustment from the original schedule). In their GPAC opener at College of Saint Mary on Wednesday, the Red Raiders, routed College of Saint Mary, 77-47.
Olson 446: Concordia's all-time winningest coach
November 16, 2023
Confetti, cupcakes and the whole family greeted Drew Olson in the locker room following Wednesday’s 86-62 win over Morningside. The victory marked another feather in the cap for Olson, who surpassed his college coach, Grant Schmidt, as the winningest coach in the history of Concordia Athletics, regardless of sport. The celebration of the milestone became more about the people and relationships that have developed since Olson took over the Bulldog Women’s Basketball program prior to the start of the 2006-07 season.
With win No. 446 secured, Olson (career record of 446-133) preferred to shine a spotlight on some of the trailblazers for Concordia Athletics. Olson may have preferred to just let the achievement go unnoticed, but the players on the team weren’t about to allow it. They wouldn’t because they care for the coach who cares deeply for them.
“The celebration was fun because I care so much for them,” Olson said. “It’s cool that they care about me. It wasn’t something I really thought about a lot. Coach Schmidt’s an incredible coach. I think of all the different coaching icons and I don’t feel like I’m one of them. You’ve got Coach (Courtney) Meyer and Coach (Eunice) Goldgrabe and Coach (Carl) Everts and all these people. I’ve just been very blessed with incredible coaching staffs throughout my time. It’s all about the players. I’ve been very blessed to have some awesome players.”
In a Zoom call on Thursday morning, Coach Schmidt (445-276 career record) addressed Olson’s achievement. Schmidt coached Olson during the 2000-01 through 2002-03 Concordia Men’s Basketball seasons. During that time, Olson accumulated 1,123 points and was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American as a senior. Olson helped steer the ’02-03 squad to a GPAC tournament championship and trip to the NAIA national quarterfinals.
Said Schmidt, “Congratulations, Drew. It seems like it was not too long ago, but I guess it was 20 years ago when you played your last game. Now here you are breaking records. Here you are breaking my record. One thing I think is so strong about what you have established – is that in any business and any organization – it’s not about recruiting good people into your program, it’s about attracting good people. This is what you have established in your career. That attraction amounts to so many different things. That’s why you are a success. I just want to congratulate you. I’m so happy for you. I know that God will continue to bless your life and continue to bless your career. In so many ways, you have so much to look forward to. I just hope that God blesses me and I can be around when you reach that 1,000-win plateau because I know you’ve got it in you and I know it’s going to happen. Continue the good work and congratulations.”
Some of Olson’s notable accomplishments, in addition to the 446 wins, include:
· 15 national tournament appearances (27 national tournament wins)
· Five national semifinal appearances (two national runner-up claims)
· Has coached players to 19 All-America awards and one National Player of the Year honor
· 2019 NAIA Phyllis Holmes National Coach of the Year
· 2018 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year
· Three-time GPAC Coach of the Year; four-time WBCA regional Coach of the Year
The milestone wins
· No. 1 – November 2, 2006: 56-51 win at York College.
· No. 100 – December 31, 2010: 72-47 win over Bethany College.
· No. 196 (became winningest coach in women’s basketball program history) – November 12, 2014: 63-59 win at Mount Marty.
· No. 200 – December 3, 2014: 62-54 win over Doane.
· No. 300 – January 10, 2018: 95-67 win over Briar Cliff.
· No. 400 – February 3, 2021: 77-71 win at Dordt.
· No. 446 – November 15, 2023: 86-62 win over Morningside.
Reaction from the 2023-24 Concordia Women’s Basketball seniors:
Kendal Brigham Coach Olson is so deserving of this recognition! What I appreciate about Coach is that he has a great balance of being competitive and focused while also having lots of fun. Even when we are deciding who gets the ball first at practice it’s made into a competitive trivia match to determine that. I also appreciate the confidence that he has in his players – he values our opinions when making team decisions. He also cares about his players beyond basketball and lets us know him beyond just being our coach. He welcomes us into his home for dinner and always brings his kids around, which means a lot to us! I’m so happy for Coach Olson and grateful to call him Coach!
Sadie Powell What I appreciate most about Coach Olson is his drive to win, but also how much he cares about each one of us. He will always make sure we know what is going on, even if that means drawing on the floor with an expo marker instead of his clipboard. One of my favorite things about Coach is being able to celebrate with him by dumping water on his head after winning big games! I am so happy for him that he has been able to achieve great things!
Taysha Rushton Something I appreciate about Coach Olson is his passion for basketball. Playing for a basketball junky like Olson is so much fun. We’ve had endless conversations about basketball as well as endless competitive 1on1 games against each other. It’s his love for basketball that made me want to come play for him, but his ability to create a home-like atmosphere that made me want to stay at Concordia. I’ll forever be grateful for how much time and love he pours into our team!
Hannah Spearman One of my favorite attributes about Coach Olson is his love for the game. His energy and passion he brings is very contagious and helps to fuel our team. Our theme verse this year is about real victory, so while winning on the court is exciting, Olson also reminds us to give glory to God and our real victory is through Him.
Mackenzie Toomey One of Coach’s favorite quote is: “We have a lot of talent, but do we have enough team?” Coach Olson is obviously great with the X’s and O’s and winning games, but what I think makes Coach stand out from the rest and be as successful as he is, is that he knows how to create a team that feels like a family. He genuinely cares about each of his players, the students at Concordia and the community of Seward. As a player I have immense respect for his passion of the game. He is definitely the most competitive person I know…there is no card game that is safe!! Not only does he know how to win, he knows how to have fun. Coach Olson leads us in more ways than the many facets of the game of basketball. He shows us what it looks like to walk in faith and to keep God in the front seat. His faith, his love and respect for his wife and family and the way he carries himself in success and defeat is respectable and admirable. Nobody deserves the title of most winningest coach other than Olson. The love for the game, the love for his players, the love for competition and the joy he has while coaching radiates off him – and if anyone gets the chance to play for Olson, they need to take it. Congrats, Coach! Let’s get you some more wins this season!
What past Bulldogs said after Coach Olson’s 400th win …
Grace Barry | Concordia career: 2018-20 The lessons I have learned from Coach Olson are endless. He taught me both the power of meticulous detail on the fundamentals and the power of being creative within the game. He created a culture where athletes could enjoy playing basketball while also cultivating a competitive and driven environment. In addition, Coach Olson leads by example and instills in his players to keep one’s priorities straight: God, Family, School, Basketball and then everything else. One of the greatest aspects I took away from playing for Coach Olson was when we had a tough practice or a bad game he would always say “Go home, move on, and come back ready to work tomorrow.” I believe when Coach Olson said that it was more than just a lesson for basketball but a life lesson. I believe what makes Coach Olson a great coach is not only his understanding of the game of basketball but his willingness to teach his players about life.
Coach Olson has been incredibly successful because of his will and commitment to win. When it comes down to it, he is going to do whatever it takes to win, whether that be having grueling practices where he is getting after everyone, doing individual workouts with every player, having the tough but necessary conversations, or thinking completely outside the box. In addition, his ability and willingness to listen to his players and work with his players is uncanny. I can remember numerous different conversations Coach Olson and I had that were tough to have but were necessary to help our team develop into a national championship level team. Overall, he has an uncommon commitment to challenge and aid his players to become the best players they can possibly be. He does all of this while also demonstrating a genuine love for his team and his players. One day I hope to be half the basketball coach he is.
Taylor Cockerill | Concordia career: 2017-present When being recruited to play basketball at Concordia, Coach Olson’s understanding and passion for the game was apparent. He has always been easy to talk with and he truly cares about each of his players. Not only is he an amazing coach but is an even better person off the floor. The countless card games, competitive 1-on-1 games, and the daily fun battles are just a few of the memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have learned so much from Olson and feel blessed to have won a National title while playing for him. It was a moment I will truly never forget. Thank you Coach for everything you have done for me and this program! Congratulations on 400 career wins!!
Philly Lammers | Concordia career: 2016-20 What makes Coach Olson successful? Well, the fact that he is a complete nerd when it comes to basketball probably helps. I don't know if there is anything about the game that he doesn't like. But the stats, figuring out how to motivate his players, and what needs to be tweaked to improve his team-- that he loves. He'll spend so much time analyzing games and thinking about his game plan, even if everything is seemingly going great at the time. His focus and drive to get better every day is something he not only teaches his team, but practices himself. That is something from my time at Concordia that continues to motivate me. Coach also always saw his players as people to get to know. He understood that we were all different, had different abilities and roles that we could fill. I think the fact that he cares about his team like a family lets him connect and understand his players, which gives him an insight to the game. He was always willing to take the time to talk or workout which showed me more than anything the importance of investing time into people and the importance of relationships. In all reality, there's really no way to concisely sum up four years of experiences and takeaways from Coach Olson. I know that I'll be drawing from my time at Concordia in many different situations and in many different ways whether I realize it at the time or not. And that the 4th key to success is always to have fun.
Quinn Wragge | Concordia career: 2015-19 He was a great coach to learn from, but an even better person to be around. He always challenged me to be better in every aspect of my life, but especially on the court. His dance moves were always a great reminder to not take yourself so seriously, haha!
I took a number of lessons from Olson during my time at Concordia, but here are some that still ring true in my life today! God, Family, School, Basketball. I still try to live my life according to these priorities! Olson was a coach who was constantly trying to improve and better himself. As I have started my own coaching career I realize what an important part of success this is for any team. I am lucky to have witnessed one of the best.
Leave people and things better than you found them – one of his famous expectations. It is one of my favorite things I took with me from Concordia. Huge congrats to Coach Olson on 400 wins, but I know many more are to come.
Krieser’s career high leads to first road win against Northwestern
November 18, 2023
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Playing for the first time outside of Friedrich Arena, the Bulldogs drove to Orange City to face the Red Raiders on Saturday evening (Nov. 18). After a turnover driven affair in the first quarter, Concordia started to strike from long range hitting 10 of their 11 total three-pointers in the second and third, pulling away in the 77-69 win over Northwestern. Abby Krieser was a instrumental in the mid quarters run, scoring 16 of her 24 career high points in the offensively dominant stretch. Kendal Brigham threw logs on the offensive fire, tallying 17 points with three from the perimeter, as Taysha Rushton added 12 points and five steals.
CUNE stays unbeaten with a 4-0 overall record and a 2-0 conference record early in the 2023-24 season. Head Coach Drew Olson commented on the quality runs in the game and learning how to finish well.
“It’s a great win on the road. I felt like we had some spurts of excellence. We had some unbelievable runs at times but at the same time, we left the game with a sour taste in our mouth. We have to start finishing games better. This game was over with four minutes left, and we let them back in the game. We got to get stops but we’re still learning and growing. That’s a good thing.”
Both teams combined for 15 total turnovers in the first quarter limiting quality offensive possessions through the first 10 minutes of play.
Tied at 18 in the second quarter, the Bulldogs went on a 14-4 run started by a Krieser layup and a Brigham three-pointer to create separation from the Red Raiders. Krieser, the Lincoln, Neb. product, led the run with eight, as Kendall Brigham drained two from downtown.
The teams evened out (7-6 CU) in the last possessions before the halftime break but in the final minute, Kristin Vieselmeyer drained her second of three from three-point range. Her 11 point double digit performance kept the Bulldogs ahead, as she hit her last trey in the opening minutes of the second half, shooting 80 percent (4-5 FG) from the field.
“Flash” Brigham controlled the rock in the 7th minute of the third, scoring seven straight points in a 7-2 run on three baskets. Krieser picked back up soon after Brigham extending the run with back-to-back three pointers (4-8 3-PT total), pushing the lead to fourteen before the final 10 minutes. Olson spoke about the performance of Krieser and Brigham after the matchup.
“She (Krieser) continues to get better and today she saw how great she could be in different ways. She is good defensively, can shoot the ball and can get to the rim. Everybody comments on ‘how fast is she (Brigham)?’ She is so selfless to come off the bench and we have more than five starters in my opinion.”
With 6:54 to play, Taysha Rushton started the final run (8-1) with a bucket in her 50 percent (4-8 FG) double digit shooting performance on the night. Abby Heemstra and Krieser would finish the spurt with layups, pushing toward their largest lead of the game (19).
In the final minutes, Northwestern went on a 13-0 run, leaving the ‘sour taste’ Coach Olson talked about after the match. Rushton and Krieser hit free throws after being fouled into the bonus to put the game completely in the hands of the visitors.
Concordia (4-0, 2-0 GPAC) will continue their three-game road stretch with a bout against College of Saint Mary (1-3, 0-1 GPAC) on Tuesday (Nov. 21). First whistle is slated for 6 p.m. in the Lied Fitness Center. The Bulldogs went 2-0 against the Flames last season, totaling a 42 point advantage in the two meetings.
Krieser named GPAC Player of the Week following two league wins
November 21, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – Courtesy of her efforts in conference wins last week over Morningside and Northwestern, junior guard Abby Krieser has been named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, as announced on Tuesday (Nov. 21). Krieser has earned a GPAC weekly award for the first time in her career. The first basketball GPAC weekly honors of the 2023-24 season were handed out on Nov. 14.
A Lincoln North Star High School alum, Krieser produced a career high 24 points in the 77-69 win at Northwestern on Nov. 18. She went 8-for-15 from the floor (4-for-8 from 3-point range) and 4-for-5 from the foul line while also dishing out two assists and swiping two steals in Orange City, Iowa. Three days earlier, Krieser posted four points and two assists (in 16 minutes) in the 86-62 blowout home win over Morningside. So far this season, Krieser is averaging 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the floor. Krieser has appeared in 53 career games at Concordia and has tallied 411 points, 140 rebounds, 73 steals and 58 assists.
Krieser and the 11th-ranked Bulldogs (4-0, 2-0 GPAC) will play at College of Saint Mary (1-4, 0-2 GPAC) today (Nov. 21) at 6 p.m. CT. That will be the lone outing of Thanksgiving week for Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad.