By Tyler Olsen, Elliot Kwitek & Zach Glander
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) Women’s Basketball team soared through the Horizon League and got the invitation to March Madness. Crowned as the Horizon League Champions after a 27-7 record, the Phoenix were seeded as an 11 seed. The women were selected to play against No. 6 seeded Tennessee where the Phoenix fell 63 – 92. Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson had 26 points and 9 rebounds, and Green Bay’s Maddy Schreiber had 13 points and 4 rebounds. Even though the Phoenix lost in the first round, the accomplishment of making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018 is still a strong step in the right direction for the program.
Hopes were high going into the season. The Phoenix had lost no starters from the previous season, where they lost to the Cleveland State Vikings in the Horizon League Tournament title game. The new season started with a loss for the Phoenix at the hands of Northern Iowa. The ladies bounced back with a 26-point home victory against Illinois State. After the victory against Illinois State, the Phoenix traveled to Omaha, Nebraska to take on the Blue Jays of Creighton who were ranked 22 in the country then. Junior guard Maddy Schrieber led the Phoenix with 14 points in their thrilling 65-53 road to victory over a major opponent. This wouldn’t be the only victory the Phoenix got this season over a top-25 opponent. While playing in the Cancun Challenge, the Phoenix faced the 23 team in the country which was the Washington State Cougars. Schrieber also led the team in scoring for this game with 12 points in a 59-48 victory handing the Cougars their first loss of the season. Conference schedules can be tough due to the nature of rematches and growing familiarity with opponents, but the Phoenix took care of business going 17-3 in conference play with their only losses being to Oakland, Cleveland State, and Milwaukee. The Phoenix finished the regular season sitting in second place behind Cleveland State. A late-season loss to Milwaukee at the Kress Center hindered the Phoenix’s chances of winning in the regular season and taking home the one seed.
After losing the one seed on the final day of the regular season, the Phoenix looked ahead to hosting Youngstown State after their first-round bye. The Penguins were coming off a 23-point victory in the first round over Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, commonly known as IUPUI, and were seeking to even the score after facing the Phoenix in both regular season meetings. The third meeting between the two teams went no different with Green Bay beating Youngstown the whole game. Five Phoenix players finished with double-digit points as Cassie Schiltz led the way with 16 points and three rebounds. Every Phoenix player who recorded minutes scored at least one basket as they cruised to a 94-57 victory. The semifinal game in Indianapolis saw the Phoenix match up with the Mastodons of Purdue Fort Wayne. After a slow start, the Phoenix kept chipping away and punched their ticket to the title game with a 64-55 victory. Waiting for them was the previous champion and 1-seeded Cleveland State Vikings. With the season series split, this was the rubber band match for the two, meaning that the winner would secure their spot in the March Madness Tournament. The Phoenix dominated from start to finish. With a halftime lead of 32-19, they never looked back and punched their ticket with a commanding 64-40 victory. The best player on the floor was Natalie McNeal, the Phoenix guard. She was dominating from the floor shooting 15/21 and finishing with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and a block. The Fourth Estate asked Natalie why this team got over the hump of winning the Horizon League Tournament this year. McNeal said, “A big part of our success this year came from falling short last year. After watching your rival celebrate and the confetti in your face when it could’ve been you really fuels your fire.” She further said, “Going into the game this year I think we all had our minds set on achieving a different outcome.” McNeal was determined to not let last year repeat itself.
After punching their ticket, the Phoenix headed back home to the Bay and awaited the selection show to see who they’d be playing and where they were going. Below is a video during the watch party at Green Bay Distillery where the Phoenix found out that they’d be traveling to Raleigh, NC to take on the Lady Volunteers of Tennessee.
With a record of 27-7, it’s much easier to point to the highs as opposed to the lows of the women’s season. They always say “it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish” and although that may be true very early into the season, the Phoenix picked up a massive win over #23 Washington State. Any time a smaller D1 school like UWGB wins over a big school like Washington State, it can be a big confidence booster. After that game, Green Bay went on to win 11 of their next 12 games and propelled themselves to the top of the Horizon League. The Phoenix were dominant in the tournant going 17-3 and comfortably running through on their way to the NCAA Women’s Tournament. Despite losing in the tournament, the women still had a successful season and now look to a season under the leadership of a new coach.
On Wednesday, April 10, Green Bay Women’s Head Coach Kevin Borseth announced his retirement from coaching the Women’s team after having coached since 2012 and previously from 1998 to 2007. Totaling 821 wins over 21 combined seasons at Green Bay, Borseth led the organization to 14 NCAA tournament berths and was a model of consistency. “It’s not easy, it’s something I really loved to do,” said Borseth, who fought back tears several times. “If I had to do anything else, I don’t think I would have been able to have half the success that I was able to have on the basketball floor. It’s been a thrill. It really has been,” said Borseth in his retirement speech Wednesday. Less than two weeks later, Kayla Karius was announced as Borseth’s successor. Karius had previously played for the Phoenix as Kayla Tetschlag from 2007-2011, and is “thrilled” to return to her Alma Mater.
The Phoenix look to build for more playoff berths, meaning they will be the top six for the next tournament, and success with recruiting, the transfer portal, and developing players who are staying in Green Bay. With Natalie Andersen graduating and the surprise retirement of the highly successful coach Kevin Borseth who coached for more than 40 years between four schools, led teams through 14-time Horizon League Champion, and 16-time regular season championships. He ranks 19 in all-time career wins in women’s college basketball and 16 in all of Division 1 basketball. Next season for the Phoenix will have challenges, but like their namesake, they are determined to rise from the ashes of defeat and soar to victory.
