By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's basketball team is set to open the 2023-24 regular season on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Cone Field House when the Bearcats will take on Bushnell University at 7 p.m. PST. Willamette finished last season with a 14-12 overall record, a 9-7 mark in the Northwest Conference, and a trip to the NWC Women's Basketball Tournament. Willamette earned a 9-3 record in home games.
This season, the Bearcats return 11 players on the roster. Leading scorer Carolyn Ho (Sr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) tops the list of returning players after averaging 11.2 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Megan River (Sr., G, Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS), who ranked second in the team with 10.8 points per game last season, also returns.
Kaitlin Imai (So., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) begins her sophomore season after leading the Bearcats with 31 three-point baskets in 2022-23. Ho scored on 29 three-points shots, while River hit 22 three-point attempts. The Bearcats made 144 three-pointers overall, while holding opponents to 117 three-point baskets.
Danielle Morgan (Sr., F, Lompoc, CA/Lompoc HS/California Lutheran Univ.) contributed 3.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Emma Floyd (So., F, Camano Island, WA/Stanwood HS) earned 3.2 points per game and connected on 17 three-point shots.
Returning to action after missing last season due to injuries are Ava Kitchin (Sr., P, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) and Maggie Sawyer (So., G, Boise, ID/Borah HS). Kitchin averaged 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for the Bearcats in 2021-22.
Newcomers to the team are Elyse Waldal (Jr., Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS/Linfield University), Syd Shoemaker (Fy., F, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS), Jaydin Lutu (Fy., G, Beaverton, OR/Beaverton HS), Addie Hiler (Fy., F, Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS).
Willamette Head Coach Peg Swadener is in her 12th season with the Bearcats. She has guided the Bearcats to two NWC Tournament berths, including 2017-18 when Willamette reached the NWC Championship game.
