VERMILLION, S.D.—The University of South Dakota women's basketball team opens its 1980-81 campaign Tuesday, Nov. 18, hosting Northwestern of Iowa at 8 p.m. at the DakotaDome.
 
South Dakota, with four starters and seven letterwinners returning, will field its most experienced ballclub ever. The Coyotes are relying on that fact, plus the addition of three talented freshmen, to improve upon last year's 14-15 record.
 
"We recognized that the experience we would gain last year – our first in Division I – would be invaluable," professes USD coach Mary Zimmerman. "Armed with that experience, we look with anticipation towards the upcoming season. We know what we must do to win. We now must execute that knowledge.
 
"Senior leadership plays an important role in the success of any team. This season, we are fortunate to have three seniors – Mary Joneson at center and guards Renee Steeve and Gloria Suntken. This represents the greatest number of seniors we've ever had in our program. But more importantly, they all feature great talent and experience.
 
"It's exciting to have such great, experienced depth. This is the first year we've had more than just freshmen depth. We have 12 players all battling each other for playing time. That kind of intense competition is bound to make us stronger.
 
"I foresee the greatest benefit from that competition to be evidenced in our inside play. Very few people stopped us from the outside last year. We hope to make the same hold true for our inside game this season."
 
The Coyotes are expected to start seniors Renee Steeve (5-4) and Gloria Suntken (5-8) at the guard slots. Steeve led the club in scoring last season (13.7 points per game) and was among the nation's leading free-throw shooters for much of the year. Suntken needs just 15 points to become USD's all-time leading scorer and is only 62 shy of reaching the 1,000 point plateau for her career. She is also regarded as one of the Midwest's premier defensive players.
 
Another senior, 6-0 Mary Joneson, will fill the center position. Joneson already owns all of the USD rebounding records. She set the single-game mark with 29 as a freshman; the single-season total, snaring 279 as a freshman and again last year; and has pulled down 960 over the course of her career.
 
Sophomore Deb Petersen is the likely candidate to join Joneson on the frontline. Petersen came off the bench to place second in scoring (10.4 ppg) and third in rebounding (7.0 average) last season. And, at 6-4, she is the tallest Coyote ever.
 
Jo Haase, the only junior on the club, will start at the wing forward. Haase averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per outing last year. And early-season workouts indicate that she has improved her shooting, quickness and defensive play.
 
Sophomores Carol Finley (6-2), Mary Huber (5-7), Kerri Martin (5-11), and Pam Olerich (6-3); along with freshmen Carlene Robinson (5-6), Rita Seymour (5-8) and Karrie Wallen (5-9) round out the roster.
 
USD owns a 3-0 lead in the series against Northwestern, escaping with a narrow 65-62 decision at Orange City, Iowa, a year ago.
 
"I expect a very tough, fast-paced game," analyzes the Coyote mentor. "Northwestern has a talented, experienced ballclub. I believe they only lost two players from last year's team. And they always play well against us.
 
"They like to fastbreak on offense and use a pressure defense. And they try to get you to play their ballgame. If we can control the tempo of the game – something we have the ability to do – I believe we'll get out of the starting blocks successfully."
 
After facing Northwestern, the Coyotes travel to Iowa on Friday, Nov. 21 for a 7:30 p.m. contest and then meet a vastly-improved Notre Dame ballclub at 5 p.m. Saturday in South Bend, Ind. Those two road games will be broadcast on KBCM Radio in Sioux City, Iowa.
 
Probable Starters (1979-80 stats)
South Dakota
Forward – 44 – Jo Haase, 7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg
Forward – 54 – Deb Petersen, 10.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Center – 50 – Mary Joneson, 8.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg
Guard – 32 – Gloria Suntken, 9.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Guard – 24 – Renee Steeve, 13.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg
 
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – vs. Northwestern, 8 p.m., The DakotaDome, Vermillion, S.D.
Friday, Nov. 21 – at Iowa, 7:30 p.m., Iowa Field House, Iowa City, Iowa
Saturday, Nov. 22 – at Notre Dame, 4 p.m. (CST), Atheltic Convocation Center, South Bend, Ind.