No Time to Waste
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 12:19 p.m., November 13, 2007
Updated 12:19 p.m., November 13, 2007
Brandon Schneider didn’t treat Monday’s game against Tabor much like an exhibition.
The Emporia State coach yelled for his players to get in a defensive stance. And to push up on defense. And to post up strong.
This much is clear after ESU’s 105-50 exhibition victory at White Auditorium.
Schneider isn’t wasting any opportunities to teach his young squad.
“We have eight new players. There’s a lot of coaching, a lot of correcting, a lot of teaching that has to be done,” Schneider said. “We have some really big games this weekend. You’re foolish if you don’t use every possession as an opportunity to get better.”
After Monday’s game, the coach still had a lot to be pleased with.
Schneider, who has gone back to the full-court press with this year’s more athletic roster, watched — and screamed — as his team forced 21 turnovers in the first half alone.
Not too shabby considering the Lady Hornets didn’t run it last week against Kansas and also haven’t yet worked out all the kinks in practice.
Though it was effective against NAIA Tabor, Schneider said he didn’t expect to use the press much until his roster was at full strength.
Brittney Miller will return to the basketball team when the volleyball season is over, and Ida Edwards will be eligible to play once the new semester begins.
ESU also received better performances in the post Monday than it did in the preseason opener against KU.
Alli Volkens showed more aggressiveness early, shooting 4-of-5 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line to end with 12 points in 14 minutes.
The 6-foot-2 freshman left the game with 17:24 left in the second half when she suffered an ankle injury.
“It’s a good sign she’s in the boot and not on crutches. She’ll be OK,” Schneider said. “Hopefully, we’ll get round-the-clock treatment going on that thing and we can have her this weekend.”
Allie Renberg picked up where Volkens left off.
The 6-1 transfer displayed good post moves and excellent touch around the basket, making 9 of her 10 shots to finish with 26 points. Twenty of those points came in the second half.
Renberg had only one point in last week’s game against KU.
“The defense wasn’t as tough and the girls weren’t as big (tonight),” Renberg said, “so I just wanted to take advantage of that.”
It also was a good night for Michelle Stueve, who many times found herself open to take shots.
The senior finished with 26 points, hitting 10 of 16 field goals and 6 of 9 threes.
“It’s just kind of different to be open on the first pass or first catch,” Stueve said. “It’s nice. It’s nice to not have to fight for everything you get.”
Andrea Leiker (11) and Cassondra Boston (10) also finished in double figures.
ESU forced 36 Tabor turnovers in all, scoring 45 points off those miscues.
The Lady Hornets’ regular season starts Friday, as they play host to Cameron in the Candlewood Suites/Mix 104.9 Classic.
EMPORIA STATE 105, TABOR 50
Monday at White Auditorium
Tabor 24 26 — 50
No. 3 ESU 58 47 — 105
Tabor
Stacie Herman 4-13 0-0 8, Kirsten Watson 2-6 2-2 8, Katie Mount 2-4 2-3 7, Addie Cole 3-5 1-1 7, Joanna Pyle 2-3 1-2 6, Jenny Gaskell 1-2 2-2 4, Stephanie Silvas 2-6 0-0 4, Dana Champlin 1-2 0-0 2, Brittany Roth 1-2 0-0 2, Cheri Mount 0-1 2-2 2, Katie Fast 0-2 0-0 0, Cassondra Huxman 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-47 10-12 50.
Emporia State (1-1 exhibition)
Michelle Stueve 10-16 0-0 26, Allie Renberg 9-10 8-11 26, Alli Volkens 5-9 4-4 14, Andrea Leiker 3-8 2-2 11, Cassondra Boston 4-7 1-2 10, Jamie Augustyn 2-6 0-0 6, Bree Kisner 2-4 0-0 5, Kayla Krueger 1-2 0-0 3, Lacy Corker 1-4 0-0 2, Becky Zabel 1-4 0-0 2, Tina Commons 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 38-73 15-19 105.
3-pointers — Tabor 4-10 (Watson 2-3, Pyle 1-1, Mount 1-2, Silvas 0-1, Huxman 0-1 Herman 0-2); Emporia State 14-30 (Stueve 6-9, Leiker 3-4, Augustyn 2-6, Krueger 1-2 Boston 1-3, Kisner 1-2, Commons 0-2 Zabel 0-1, Corker 0-1). Rebounds — Tabor 23 (Herman 4, Silvas 4); ESU 40 (Zabel 7, Renberg 7). Assists — Tabor 12 (Herman 4); Emporia State 25 (Boston 8). Fouled out — None. Total fouls — Tabor 14, Emporia State 17. Att — 1,650.