Women's Basketball Opens MVC Season With Drake on Saturday
12/30/2011 2:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Drake Bulldogs (6-5, 0-0 MVC) at Creighton Bluejays (6-5, 0-0 MVC)
Game #12 • Saturday, Dec. 31 • 2:05 pm
Ryan Athletic Center & D.J Sokol Arena (2,500) • Omaha, Neb.
Series History: DU leads 35-21
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Stats | Live Video
Game #12 • Saturday, Dec. 31 • 2:05 pm
Ryan Athletic Center & D.J Sokol Arena (2,500) • Omaha, Neb.
Series History: DU leads 35-21
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Stats | Live Video
• Creighton is 13-6 all-time in MVC openers, including 7-2 under head coach Jim Flanery.
• Creighton is 15-4 all-time in its first MVC home game of the season, including 9-1 in its last 10 and 8-1 under Jim Flanery.
• Creighton concluded non-conference play with the top RPI (49) and strength of schedule (18) in the Missouri Valley Conference. The combined record of the five teams Creighton lost to in non-conference play is 53-5.
• Creighton has won more MVC games (105) since Jim Flanery took over in 2002-03 than any other Valley program.
• Creighton is the top defensive team in the MVC, allowing just 58.6 points per game, just ahead of the 58.8 points per game allowed by Drake.
• Creighton has scored fewer than 60 points in five consecutive games for the first time since the 1981-82 season.
• Drake's Rachael Hackbarth (3) and Creighton's Sarah Nelson (2) have combined for five of the first seven MVC Player of the Week honors this season.
• Carli Tritz was named to the UTSA Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 16 points at the event on Dec. 20-21, including an 18-point, 5-assist game against Colorado.
• Tritz is averaging a team-best 15.3 points and 3.5 assists per game in her last four contests. The sophomore guard is also 6-of-8 from three-point range in that span.
• Sarah Nelson is averaging 14.3 points and 10.0 rebounds in home games this year, shooting 64.9 percent from the field in Omaha.
• Junior Ally Jensen became the 16th player in school history to make 100 career three-pointers, when she drained her 100th three at UTSA on Dec. 20.
Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton once again played the toughest non-conference schedule in the league, with its strength of schedule ranked 18th before the start of Valley play ... CU returns eight letterwinners and two starters from last year's team which finished 18-13, 12-6 (T-2nd) in the MVC ... CU lost three senior starters from last year's team which advanced to the WNIT for the fourth straight season last year, tying a school record for consecutive postseason appearances ... Nine of CU's 12 roster spots are filled by underclassmen ... Carli Tritz, the 2011 MVC Freshman of the Year, leads the team with 12.8 points, 3.0 assists and 78.1 free-throw percentage ... Tritz is averaging 15.3 ppg in her last five outings and she is CU's active career leader in leader in points, steals, assists, free throws and free-throw attempts ... Two-time MVC Player of the Week sophomore Sarah Nelson is averaging 12.8 ppg and leads the team with 7.5 rebounds, 18 steals and four double-doubles ... Nelson leads the team and is second in the MVC, shooting 55.6 percent from the field ... Ally Jensen (9.4 ppg), is one of 16 players in school history with 100 career three-pointers and she leads the team with 21 threes this year.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Drake has won five of its last six games entering its MVC opener ... The Bulldogs are second in the MVC in scoring defense (58.8) and lead the league with a plus-4.7 rebounding margin ... DU ranks last in the MVC in steals and blocked shots ... The Bulldogs shoot 41.3 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from 3-point range and 66.9 percent at the free-throw line ... Rachael Hackbarth has been named MVC Player of the Week three times this year, leads the MVC with 10.1 rebounds and ranks third with 18.8 points per game ... Freshman Kyndal Clark (9.6 ppg) has twice been named MVC Newcomer of the Week and ranks second in the league shooting 50 percent (20-40) from three-point range.
The Coaches
• Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) is in his 10th season as head coach at his alma mater, where he has led his team to seven WNIT postseason appearances and five 20-win seasons. He owns a career record of 176-121 (.593). One of seven coaches in MVC history with 100 league wins, he led the Bluejays to the 2004 WNIT Championship. He is the second-winningest coach in school history. Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade. Flan is 11-11 all-time against Drake.
• Amy Stephens (Nebraska, 1991) is in her ninth season at Drake and her 17th as a collegiate head coach. Stephens is 139-119 at Drake and 336-162 overall. She led Drake to a share of the MVC regular-season title in 2007-08 and the MVC Tournament title in 2006-07. The Nebraska native was previously head coach at Division II Nebraska-Kearney.
Creighton-Drake Series History
Drake owns the all-time series lead with Creighton 35-21 – the most played opponent in CU history. The Jays are 10-13 all-time against the Bulldogs in Omaha, while CU has won seven of the last 10 meetings with Drake in Omaha. Creighton had its longest winning streak in the series snapped at five last year in the regular-season finale at Drake. CU has won six of the last eight meetings with DU.
Individuals against Drake
Carli Tritz scored 15 points and had 5 steals in both meetings with Drake last year, while also averaging 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game against the Bulldogs. Tritz shot 52.4 percent from the field and made 3-of-6 three-pointers against Drake. Ally Jensen scored a career-high 18 points against Drake as a freshman in the MVC Tournament, draining six three-pointers against the Bulldogs. Jensen averaged 11.3 points per game against DU as a rookie and then scored just five points total against the Bulldogs last year, going 1-of-10 from the field in the two meetings against Drake. In her career she averages 7.8 points per game and is shooting 42.3 percent from long range (11-26) in five games against Drake. Sarah Nelson had 10 points and five rebounds against Drake in Des Moines last year after having two points and three boards at home. DaNae Moore has 15 points and is 4-of-9 FG in eight career games against DU.
Last Year Against Drake
Creighton and Drake split the season series last year, with the home team winning each game. CU won 58-51 in Omaha on Dec. 31, led by Sam Schuett's 18 points and 11 rebounds, while the Jays held Kristin Turk 8.6 points under her scoring average. Carli Tritz had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals in her MVC debut. Drake won 65-54 in Des Moines to wrap up the regular-season as Creighton shot just 7-of-32 (.219) from three-point range in the loss. Drake scored the final 13 points of the first half and closed the half on a 17-2 run to take control of the game. Tritz again had 15 points and 5 steals, to go along with 5 assists in the loss. Rachael Hackbarth led all players with 23 points, while DU shot 49.2 percent from the floor in the win.
MVC Opening Information
• Creighton is starting its 20th season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, joining the MVC in 1993. The Jays are 13-6 in Valley openers.
• Creighton opens the MVC season at home for the second straight season after it had opened at home just once in its previous seven years.
• The Jays are 7-2 in their first MVC game of the year under Jim Flanery, with both losses coming at Illinois State.
• CU is 15-4 all-time in its first MVC home game of the season, including 8-1 under Flanery. CU's only loss under Flanery in its home Valley debut came on Jan. 4, 2007, a 56-53 loss to Northern Iowa.
• Creighton has won nine of its last 10 MVC home debuts, with its lone loss coming to Northern Iowa in the 2006-07 season.
• The Jays' average winning margin in their last four MVC home openers is 28.3 points.
• 58-51 vs. Drake (Dec. 31, 2010)
• 89-48 vs. Wichita State (Jan. 7, 2010)
• 92-63 vs. Missouri State (Jan. 8, 2009)
• 83-47 vs. Wichita State (Jan. 4, 2008)
New Year's Eve Basketball
The Bluejays are 5-2 all-time in New Year's Eve games, including 4-1 under Jim Flanery. The Bluejays won 58-51 over Drake last year and topped Indiana State 55-44 on Dec. 31, 2009. Creighton is 2-0 at home on Dec. 31, with a 77-59 win over UMKC on Dec. 31, 1994 and last year's win over Drake.
Closing the Year with a Win
Creighton's game against Drake is its final contest in 2011. The Bluejays have won their final game of the calendar year in each of the last four seasons and have won their last game of the year nine of the last 10 seasons. The only loss in that span came on Dec. 31, 2006 at Indiana State (89-62).
Best RPI and SOS in the MVC
• As it annually does, Creighton again played the strongest non-conference schedule in the MVC. With non-conference play concluded, the Bluejays' strength of schedule (SOS) through Dec. 28 was 18. Only one other school in the MVC had an SOS in the top 100, as Illinois State's SOS was 39 before Valley play began. The average strength of schedule for the nine other MVC teams was 174 – or 156 spots lower than Creighton's.
• Creighton's league-leading RPI was 49 before MVC play began. The Jays were one of four MVC teams in the top 100, with Missouri State (63), Bradley (82) and Illinois State (97) joining them.
No Bad Losses
One reason for Creighton's high RPI and strength of schedule is the fact that the five teams Creighton has lost to this year have a combined record of 53-5. Colorado (11-0), Notre Dame (12-1), Nebraska (11-1), Kansas (11-1) and South Dakota (8-2) are all off to impressive starts, as the Fighting Irish are ranked third and the Cornhuskers are ranked 23rd in this week's AP poll.
Five Three Streak
Creighton has made at least five three-pointers in all 11 games this year, its longest streak since making five threes in 12 straight games between Jan. 8 – Feb. 20, 2004. The Bluejays ended last season having made at least five three-pointers in their final eight games, meaning the Jays have set a school-record with 19 consecutive games with at least five threes. The longest single-season streak is 17 games during the 2002-03 season.
On Top of the Valley
Creighton has won more MVC games in the last nine years than any other program in the league. With 105 victories since the 2002-03 season, the Bluejays are the only Valley team to eclipse 100 conference wins in that span. All 105 wins have come since Jim Flanery took over, making him just the seventh coach in league history to win 100 MVC games.
MVC Records Since 2002-03
(through games on Dec. 29)
School W-L Pct.
Creighton 105-57 .648
Northern Iowa 99-64 .607
Indiana State 97-65 .599
Illinois State 97-65 .599
Missouri State 92-71 .564
Drake 89-73 .549
Bradley 72-91 .442
Evansville 64-98 .395
Wichita State 55-108 .337
Southern Illinois 42-120 .259
Flan Makes History With 100th MVC Win
Head coach Jim Flanery won his 100th career MVC game against Wichita State on Jan. 29, 2011, becoming the seventh coach in league history to reach that milestone.
Most MVC Coaching Wins (league games)
Name, School Wins Years
Cheryl Burnett, MSU 201 1988-02
Cindy Scott, SIU 199 1983-98
Jill Hutchison, ILS 170 1983-99
Tony DiCecco, UNI 117 1996-07
Lisa Bluder, DU 116 1991-00
Connie Yori, CU 109 1992-02
Jim Flanery, CU 105 2002-pr.
Tritz Named All-Tournament
Carli Tritz was named to the UTSA Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team following her play at the event in San Antonio Dec. 20-21. Tritz scored 14 points against UTSA and followed with a game-high 18 points and five assists against Colorado to average 16 points per game at the tournament.
Carli's Comeback
After a slow start to the season, Carli Tritz will enter MVC play as Creighton's leading scorer with 12.8 points per game. Tritz has raised her scoring average over the past four games, averaging 15.3 points per game in that span. The sophomore guard has also made 6-of-8 (.750) three-pointers in her last four games after starting the year 3-for-14 (.214) from long range. She also has at least three assists in her last four games to reclaim the team-lead with 30 assists on the year.
How's That Van Halen Song Go?
The song was “I Can't Drive 55”, but for the Bluejays, they've had trouble scoring more than 55 points lately. The Bluejays have not scored more than 55 points in each of their last five games, their longest sub-60 streak since the 1981-82 team ended the season scoring fewer than 55 points in its final six games. The Jays did not score 60 points in either of their meetings with Drake last year.
Trail to Win
In five of Creighton's six wins this year, the Bluejays have fallen behind in the opening minutes, only to come back and own a lead before halftime. Creighton never trailed in its win at Wyoming, has led at halftime in all six of its wins and trailed at halftime in all five of its losses. A quick glance at CU's deficits overcome for wins this year:
• Nov. 11 at UND, CU trailed by 6 just 90 seconds into the game, but led 34-28 at halftime and won 72-54.
• Nov. 13 at NDSU, CU trailed by 8 six minutes into the game, but led 28-24 at halftime and won 71-51.
• Nov. 27 vs. NCST, CU trailed by 4 three minutes into the game, but led 33-30 at halftime and won 74-67.
• Dec. 18 vs. BGSU, CU trailed by 10 with 9:15 left in the first half, but led 26-25 at halftime and won 49-47.
• Dec. 20 at UTSA, CU trailed by 6, six minutes into the game, but led 23-18 at halftime and won 54-53.
Home is Where the Wins Are
Creighton went 12-2 at D.J. Sokol Arena last year, and is now 26-7 (.788) at its new home. The Bluejays are 98-32 (.754) at home under Jim Flanery, including 64-17 (.790) in MVC play at home under Flanery, including a 15-3 (.833) league mark at D.J. Sokol Arena.
Defending D.J.
The Bluejays are 26-7 all-time their new home. In those 33 games, the Bluejays have allowed less than 60 points points 23 times and under 50 points eight times. Only one MVC opponent has scored more than 60 points in the last 13 Valley games played in Omaha. Bluejay opponents are averaging just 56.1 points per game in the 33 games played inside D.J. Sokol Arena.
Ally Jensen Joins the 100 3FG Club
Junior Ally Jensen became the 16th player in school history to reach 100 career three-pointers when she hit her third trey at UTSA on Dec. 20. Jensen leads the team with 21 triples this season.
Creighton Career 3-Point Field Goals
1. 309 Kathy Halligan 1988-92
2. 294 Dayna Finch 2000-04
3. 261 Kelsey Woodard 2007-11
4. 250 Laura Spanheimer 2001-05
5. 187 Missy Miller 1992-96
6. 174 Holly Sivesind 1993-97
7. 169 Sam Schuett 2006-11
8. 154 Ally Thrall 2004-08
9. 151 Melissa Sanford 1989-92
10. 137 Krissie Spanheimer 1997-01
11. 134 Chevelle Herring 2005-10
134 Angela Timmons 1997-01
13. 132 Kristi Woodard 2002-06
14. 102 Christy Neneman 2000-04
15. 101 Michelle Kaus 2005-09
16. 100 Ally Jensen 2009-
Second Half Efforts
Creighton has proven to be a second-half team this season, averaging 7.0 more points per game in the second half than the first half. Take a look at the statistical breakdown between halves for Creighton.
Statistics 1st Half 2nd Half
Points/game 25.7 32.7
FG% .350 .427
3FG% .320 .360
Rebounds/game 16.2 18.8
Rebound margin -2.3 +2.5
Assists/game 5.3 7.2
Turnovers/game 9.4 8.0
Nelson Having Fun at Home
Omaha native Sarah Nelson has put up big numbers in Creighton's first four home games this year, averaging a double-double with a team-leading 14.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Nelson has posted a double-double in three of her four home games and is shooting 64.9 percent from the field at home.
Concussions are Contagious?
Well no, but two Bluejay freshmen recently missed time with concussions. Taylor Johnson missed Creighton's last three games with concussions symptoms, due to a concussions suffered in practice the week before playing Bowling Green on Dec. 18. Sammy Jensen then suffered a concussion while taking a charge in Creighton's game at UTSA. Both freshmen have been cleared to play and will dress in CU's MVC opener.
Bluejays Lose Norman Again
For the second straight season Riley Norman will not appear in a regular-season game for the Bluejays. The Des Moines native suffered a torn ACL during preseason practices prior to her freshman year in 2010-11 and missed the year. The forward underwent surgery for a separate knee injury on Dec. 22 and will miss all of the 2011-12 season because of the injury.
Freshman Makes History
Taylor Johnson became the first freshman in school history to make at least four three-point field goals in consecutive games earlier this year when she drained four against both NC State (Nov. 27) and at Wyoming (Dec. 1). The rookie has found her shooting touch, as she has gone 11-of-27 (.407) from long range after starting her career 1-of-14 (.071) from beyond the arc. She was the first Bluejay to make at least four threes in consecutive games since Kelsey Woodard did so in the final two games of the 2008-09 season.
Ally Jensen Returns From Rib Injury
Junior Ally Jensen suffered an injured rib in Creighton's win over NC State (Nov. 27) and the injury forced her to miss a game for the first time in her career, sitting at Wyoming (Dec. 1). The guard appeared to be back in fine form against No. 3 Notre Dame (Dec. 4), leading the team with 12 points, while making 3-of-5 three-pointers. Jensen then scored a season-high 17 points, making 3-of-6 three-pointers in at win at UTSA on Dec. 20.
Road Winning
Creighton went 4-2 on the road in non-conference action this season after posting a combined 2-8 record in non-conference road games over its previous two seasons. Creighton captured its first winning record on the road in non-conference play since Jim Flanery's first season in 2002-03 when the Bluejays went 6-2 in non-conference road games (3-2 in the regular-season and 3-0 in the WNIT). The Jays were 2-2 in non-conference road games in 2004-05 and 4-4 on the non-con road in 2003-04.
Flan Schedules the Big Boys (or Girls)
Creighton played five games against teams from BCS conferences this season, continuing a trend head coach Jim Flanery started when he took over in 2002-03. The Bluejays have played 66 games against BCS schools in that span, 26 more than the next closest MVC school – Drake (40). Flanery's 19 wins against BCS schools in that span are nine more than the next closest MVC school in that span – Illinois State (10). In fact, Flan has more wins against BCS conference (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) schools since he took over than Bradley has games played (17) against BCS schools.
MVC vs. BCS since 2002-03
School Games Wins
Creighton 66 19
Illinois State 32 10
Drake 40 9
Missouri State 32 7
Indiana State 20 6
Northern Iowa 37 4
Wichita State 21 4
Evansville 20 3
Bradley 17 3
Southern Illinois 22 0
The Ally Way Doubles
Junior Ally Jensen scored 12 points against No. 3 Notre Dame (Dec. 4) for her fourth double-figure scoring game in her first six games played this year. She has now scored in double figures five times in 10 games played this season after a season-high 17 points at UTSA on Dec. 20, after she scored in double figures just four times in 31 games all season.
Nelson: 2-Time MVC Player of the Week
Whatever the opposite of a sophomore slump is, Sarah Nelson is doing it. The sophomore was named the MVC Player of the Week twice in the first three weeks of the season, earning the honor on Nov. 28 following a week in which she averaged 16.5 points and 13.5 rebounds and set career-highs for rebounds and points in a game. Nelson turned in a career-high 17 rebounds against South Dakota (Nov. 22) and followed with a career-high 22 points against NC State (Nov. 27). She made 9-of-10 shots against the Wolfpack and to finish the week 14-of-20 (.700) from the field.
• Nelson also earned MVC Player of the Week honors after the opening week of the season when she averaged 14.5 points per game and made 12-of-16 shots (.750) from the field in road wins at North Dakota and North Dakota State.
• Nelson is the first Bluejay two be named MVC Player of the Week twice in one season since Megan Neuvirth in 2008-09.
• Nelson is the first Bluejay to be named MVC Player of the Week twice in the same month since Christy Neneman in February 2002.
• Nelson scored in double figures in her first six games this year after never scoring 10+ in consecutive games at all as a freshman.
Tritz Scores Career-High 23 at Kansas
Sophomore Carli Tritz poured in a career-high 23 points at Kansas on Nov. 16, also setting career-high marks by going 9-for-18 from the field. Her previous career best of 21 points also came against a Big 12 school, scoring 21 against Nebraska at home last year.
Tritz Reaches 400 Points Rapidly
With 13 points against South Dakota (Nov. 22), sophomore Carli Tritz eclipsed 400 career points in just her 35th career game. She became the fastest Bluejay to reach 400 points since Becky Flynn scored her 400th career point in her first game as a sophomore in 1993. Flynn reached 400 points in her 29th career game. If you're curious about other recent Bluejays to quickly reach 400 – Christy Neneman (37), Kelsey Woodard (38) and Laura Spanheimer (39) – were all edged out by Tritz.
Double-Double-Double
Sarah Nelson posted back-to-back double-doubles against South Dakota (Nov. 22) and NC State (Nov. 27). Nelson is the first Bluejay to post consecutive double-doubles since Sam Schuett did so on Jan. 2 & 7, 2010. The sophomore has three double-doubles on the year after logging just one double-dime all of last season.
Nelson Grabs 17 Rebounds
Sarah Nelson had the best rebounding game by a Bluejay since 2003 on Nov. 22 when she pulled down 17 rebounds against South Dakota. The 17 boards were not only a career-high, but they were also a D.J. Sokol Arena record. The 17 caroms were the most by a Bluejay since two-time MVC Player of the Year Christy Neneman snagged 17 rebounds against Indiana State on Feb. 27, 2003. The 17 rebounds are tied for the 10th-most in a single game in school history.
3s by the Dozen
Creighton made a season-high 12 three-pointer in its 74-67 win over NC State (Nov. 27). The game marked the 20th time under Jim Flanery the Bluejays have made at least 12 triples in one game, moving Creighton's record to 16-4 (.800) under Flan when making at least 12 threes. The Jays are now 33-11 (.750) under Flan when making 10 or more three-pointers in a game.
Career Highs All Around
The Bluejays had four players score career-high point totals in their 74-67 win over NC State (Nov. 27), led by Sarah Nelson's 22 points. Taylor Johnson entered the NC State game with 13 points scored in her first four collegiate games before snapping out of her shooting funk by hitting 4-of-10 three-pointers and finishing with 15 points. Junior Jasmin Corbin scored a career-high nine points, making a career-best 6-of-6 free throws, and sophomore Jordan Garrison finished with a career-high nine points by making 3-of-5 three-pointers in her first career start. Junior Ally Jensen dished a career-high seven assists – three more than her previous career-best – while she also equalled her career-high with six rebounds against the Wolfpack.
Garrison Returns to Form
Sophomore Jordan Garrison missed the first 12 games of her freshman season and played in just 16 due to a stress fracture in her left leg. The three-point sharp-shooter made 4-of-20 (.200) shots from long range in her 16 games played last year. Turn the page to this season and she has made 14-of-42 (.33) three-point shots in her first 11 games, which included her first career start against NC State (Nov. 27). Garrison made 3-of-5 threes for a career-best nine points against NC State.
Flan's Movement
Creighton opened the season with a 72-54 win at North Dakota, earning head coach Jim Flanery his 171st career victory. That win moved him ahead of his predecessor Connie Yori (170) alone into second place on the CU career victories chart. He now trails only Bruce Rasmussen's (currently Creighton's AD) 196 wins for tops in school history.
Creighton Coaching Wins
Name Wins Seasons
Bruce Rasmussen 196 12
Jim Flanery 176 10
Connie Yori 170 10
Gaye Kinnett 33 3
Eddye McClure 26 3
Howard Faber 11 1
Not So Rocky Road
The Bluejays won their first two road games of the season for the first time since 1995. Creighton opened the season with consecutive road wins in its first two games for the first time in school history. Prior to its 72-54 win at North Dakota to open the year, Creighton had not won its first road game of the season since 1999 and had not won a season-opener on the road since 1998.
Bluejays Blowout Bison
Creighton blasted North Dakota State 71-51 on Nov. 13, the Bluejays' first 20-point non-conference road win since a 78-56 win at Colorado State on Nov. 24, 2007. It marked just the third non-conference road win of at least 20 points under head coach Jim Flanery, with the first coming on Dec. 20, 2002 – 80-57 at UC Irvine.
Exhibition Recap
Creighton cruised to an 83-26 win over Rockhurst in its only exhibition of the season on Nov. 2. The Bluejays forced 34 turnovers and had 18 steals in the game, with four steals each from sophomore Alyssa Kamphaus and freshman Alexis Akin-Otiko. Four Bluejays scored in double figures, led by Ally Jensen's 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting from long range. McKenzie Fujan, Jordan Garrison and Kamphaus each added 10 points. Akin-Otiko also led the team with six rebounds, as CU outrebounded RU 45-32. The Bluejays shot 46.9 percent from the field and 43.5 percent (10-23) from three-point range, but just 50 percent (13-26) at the free-throw line. Sarah Nelson blocked six shots and added nine points in the win. Fujan, Nelson and freshman Taylor Johnson tied for team-high honors with four assists.
Preseason Picks
The Bluejays have been picked to finish fourth in the MVC preseason poll as voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. Sophomore Carli Tritz was named to the five-member preseason all-MVC team after her outstanding freshman campaign. Missouri State captured 36 first-place votes and are the preseason favorites, while UNI received the remaining four votes and is picked to finish second. Wichita State is the only other team picked above Creighton this year.
We're Still Young
One season after half of the roster was made up of freshmen, the 2011-12 roster consists of 12 players, nine of which are underclassmen. The Bluejays have one senior (DaNae Moore), two juniors, five sophomores, three true freshmen and one redshirt freshman on the roster.
Creighton's Sister Act Continues
One of the three freshmen on this year's team is Sammy Jensen, the younger sister of junior Ally Jensen, continuing the recent trend of sisters playing for the Bluejays. Last year, Kellie and Sarah Nelson played alongside each other. Before the Nelson's played together, the last recorded sister duo to play on the same Bluejay basketball squad was Peggy and Patty Bierle during the 1978-79 season. Kelsey Woodard (2007-11) followed older sister Kristi (2002-06) and Laura Spanheimer (2001-05) followed in the steps of her older sister Krissie (1997-01) to solidify this basketball program as true family environment.
Nebraska Natives
Five of Creighton's 12 players on this year's roster are from Nebraska – Omaha products Jasmin Corbin (Millard West) and Sarah Nelson (Westside), Seward High graduate Alyssa Kamphaus, Wahoo Bishop Neumann product McKenzie Fujan and Alexis Akin-Otiko out of Bellevue West.
The Bellevue Bloodline
Freshman Alexis Akin-Otiko continues a trend at Creighton which began in 2002-03. Akin-Otiko attended Bellevue West, following in the footsteps of former Bluejays and fellow Bellevue West Thunderbirds Kristi and Kelsey Woodard. Kristi played for the Jays from 2002-06 and Kelsey played from 2007-11, meaning one T-Bird has been on the roster every year since 2002-03 – with the exception of 2006-07. CU has had at least one player from Bellevue on the roster every season for the last decade, as Chevelle Herring, a Bellevue East product, played from 2005-10.
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