BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The top-15 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women's basketball team takes back to the road with a three-game trip to California to complete the non-conference portion of the season schedule. 

 

WWU returns to action for the first time since opening GNAC play with a 64-57 win over Simon Fraser on December 2 and carries a five-game winning streak into games at Dominican (Thursday, Dec. 14, 5:30 pm), Cal State East Bay (Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 pm) and Cal State San Bernardino (Monday, Dec. 18, 1 pm). The Vikings are 7-1 overall and ranked No. 9 in the D2CSC media poll and No. 13 in the WBCA coaches poll. WWU is also listed No. 1 in the West Region heading into the final games of 2023.

 

Western's season record includes a perfect 6-0 home record in Carver Gymnasium. The Vikings return to California for the second time this season going 1-1 at the Azusa Pacific Cougar Shootout during the second week of the season.

 

The Vikings have built their 7-1 record with the help of one of the top defenses in the nation limiting opponents to 54.1 points per game (15th in NCAA II) and a 31.5 field goal percentage (2nd in NCAA II). WWU is the national leader averaging 7.2 blocked shots per game.

 

Senior forward Brooke Walling continues to make an early-season case to repeat as an All-American averaging 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocked shots per game. Walling leads the GNAC with five double-doubles and has the top shooting percentage in the conference connecting on 62-of-92 shots (.667). Sophomore guard Mason Oberg is averaging 13.1 points per game to rank ninth in the conference and junior forward Aspen Garrison is also scoring in double-digits averaging 10.5 points per game and is 13th with 6.4 boards per game.

 

WWU is among the top assist leaders in the nation averaging 16.6 per game (29th in NCAA II) and is led by junior guard Riley Dykstra (4th in GNAC, 3.9) and senior guard Stephanie Peterson (5th in GNAC, 3.6). Peterson also leads the team and is tied for ninth in the GNAC with 1.8 steals per game.

 

Following the three-game trip to California, WWU will take a break for the holidays and return to the GNAC schedule with the remaining 17 games of conference play. The Vikings remain on the road to open the 2024 portion of the schedule capping a stretch of five consecutive road games taking on Alaska Anchorage (Jan. 4) and Alaska Fairbanks (Jan. 6). 

 

 

Senior forward Brooke Walling enters the week just 17 points shy of reaching the 1,000-point milestone for her collegiate career. Walling started her career at Fresno State University, totaling 141 points over 56 games in two seasons. She has flourished at WWU with 842 points in 65 games (12.9 points/game), adding up to 983 career points in 121 games. 

 

WWU's three road games in California will feature a pay-per-view webcast with direct links available at wwuvikings.com/Live. All home games during the 2023-24 season will stream live on YouTube via Vikings TV. Additionally, every away GNAC game contest will feature a webcast on YouTube produced by the visiting team. To watch WWU home matches on your Smart TV, navigate to the YouTube application and search for WWU Athletics, or for away games search for the opposing school's YouTube channel (example: Western Oregon Athletics). All WWU links to follow the Vikings online can be found online, but be sure to bookmark the following links for easy access:

 

·         Vikings TV (WWU home matches)

·         GNAC Live Streams

·         Direct Link to watch WWU games (wwuvikings.com/WBB_Watch)

·         Direct Link to follow WWU games via live stats (wwuvikings.com/WBB_Stats)

 

WWU heads into the week as one of the top defensive teams in the nation, ranking second in NCAA II limiting opponents to a .315 field goal percentage and recording a national-best 7.2 blocked shots per game. The Vikings are ranked No. 15 in the nation holding opponents to 54.1 points per game.

WWU enters the sixth week of the 2023-24 regular season ranked No. 9 in the D2CSC (College Sports Communicators) National Poll, No. 13 in the WBCA Coaches Poll and No. 1 in the West Region. The Vikings have appeared in each of the last 37 regular-season national rankings.

 

The Vikings have held opponents to single-digit quarter scoring outputs seven times this season, including five-point opening quarter of an 80-44 victory over November 25. The four-quarter system was adopted for the 2015-16 season.

 

Western completes the 2023 portion of the schedule on the road with a trio non-conference games against West Region programs Dominican (12/14), Cal State East Bay (12/16) and Cal State San Bernardino (12/18). The Vikings next home game will be in the new year January 11 hosting in-state rival Central Washington. The complete 2023-24 WWU women's basketball schedule can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/23-24_WBB.

 

Here is a look at the series history between WWU and its upcoming opponents:

 

·         Dominican: WWU defeated Dominican 84-40 last season in the only meeting between the two schools.

·         Cal State East Bay: Vikings are 7-0 all-time vs. Cal State East Bay (formerly Cal State Hayward)…last meeting between the schools was a 73-59 WWU victory in the West Regional Final on March 14, 2022.

·         Cal State San Bernardino: First recorded meeting between the two schools.

 

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2023-24 season:

 

 

If you don't read anything past this portion of the preview on the Vikings, you should find out everything you need to know on the Vikings in the following bullet points:

 

·         The Record – Off to a 7-1 start to the season with 2-1 record against ranked opponents.

·         National Polls – Current national rankings of No. 9 (D2CSC) and No. 13 (WBCA).

·         Best in the West – Holds No. 1 spot in D2CSC West Regional Poll.

·         Streaking – Winners of last five games heading into three-game road trip to California.

·         Double Doubles – Brooke Walling has recorded five double-doubles through the first eight games of the season to lead the GNAC…21 double-doubles during WWU career, including 11 in 2022-23.

·         Home Sweet Home – Perfect 6-0 record on WECU Court in Carver Gym this season…over last five seasons (since 2019-20) WWU is 38-4 in home games.

·         Always Dancing – Made 19th NCAA Championships appearance in 24 possible seasons in 2022-23.

·         Back-to-Back GNAC Champions – Won 2021-22 and 2022-23 GNAC regular-season titles.

·         All Around Brooke – Brooke Walling leads the team in scoring (18.6), rebounds (9.6), blocked shots (2.8) and field goal percentage (.667/62-for-93)…also paces the GNAC with five double-doubles.

·         That's a SWAT – Leads all of NCAA II averaging 7.2 blocked shots per game (58 total blocked shots).

·         Defensive Lockdown – Ranks 2nd in NCAA II in opponent field goal percentage holding opponents to .315 from the field (157-for-499)…also limiting teams to 54.1 points per game to lead the GNAC and rank No. 15 in NCAA II.

·         On the Mark – 2nd in the GNAC and ranks No. 36 NCAA II with .444 overall field goal percentage.

·         Postseason Pulse – Program has played in the postseason (conference, regional, NCAA) in 48 of 51 possible seasons.

·         Coach Dolfo – Head Coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 33rd season leading the program and 40th overall associated with WWU Basketball as a student-athlete and coach…all-time record of 674-256 (.725)…23 seasons with 20+ wins.

 

Here is an updated look at the 2023-24 GNAC Women's Basketball standings through the first week of conference play, with the Vikings at 1-0 to open league play:

 

 

Over the last four seasons (since 2019-20), the Vikings have combined to go 84-20 for a .808 winning percentage. WWU is the two-time defending GNAC regular-season champions and played in the 2022 NCAA II National Championship Game.

Seniors Brooke Walling (transfer from Fresno State) and Steph Peterson (transfer from Cameron) are approaching 1,000 career collegiate points. Here is a look at their collegiate points nearing the scoring milestone:

 

·         Brooke Walling (983 points – 842 in 65 games at WWU, 141 in 56 games at Fresno State)

·         Steph Peterson (896 points – 133 in 36 games at WWU, 763 in 73 games at Cameron)

 

Here is a listing of individual honors for Viking players during the 2023-24 season:

 

Brooke Walling:

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic MVP

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC & GNAC Player of the Year

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Nov. 6-12)

Stephanie Peterson:

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

Riley Dykstra: 

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC

Mason Oberg:

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC

Aspen Garrison:

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic All-Tournament Team

WWU is coming off a double GNAC Championship season in 2022-23, winning both the regular season and postseason conference titles. WWU won its sixth GNAC regular-season title, adding to championships won in 2001-02, 2005-06, 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2021-22. WWU also won back-to-back GNAC Tournament titles in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and again last season.

 

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2023-24 season heading into the three-game California road trip:

 

 

The Vikings reached the 20-win mark (24-4) in 2022-23, marking the 37th 20-win season in the 52-year history of the program, and 23rd in 32 seasons under head coach Carmen Dolfo.

 

Thanks to a partnership with WECU and The Foundation for WWU & Alumni, all current WWU students will receive free admission to all regular-season athletic events in Carver Gym and at Harrington Field. Students just need to show their W card at the door and then head over to the WECU Student Section to cheer on the Viks.

 

The two-time defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion WWU women's basketball team will open the 2023-24 season picked to finish runner-up in the annual preseason coaches poll. The Vikings are coming off an impressive 24-4 season, winning the league title with a 16-2 record and claiming the GNAC Tournament title with an instant-classic 76-71 win over Montana State Billings in the final on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Making its third consecutive trip to the NCAA postseason, Western was upended in the first round of the West Regional by Azusa Pacific. MSUB was picked to finish just ahead of WWU in the GNAC preseason poll with 94 points and five first-place votes. Western was just back of the Yellowjackets with 91 points and four first-place votes. Alaska Anchorage picked up the final first-place vote in the No. 3 spot with 75 points. Simon Fraser (68) and Central Washington (66) round out the top five.

 

 

Head coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 33rd season leading the program, owning an all-time record of 674-256 (.725) to rank amongst the active and career leaders at the NCAA Division II level for career wins and winning percentage. Entering the 2023-24 season, Dolfo is 11th all-time in NCAA II in wins. Dolfo has led the Vikings to 19 trips to the NCAA Championships and a trio of Elite 8 appearances. She became the winningest coach in WWU Athletics history when she collected victory No. 519 on Dec. 3, 2015 vs. Alaska to pass former men's basketball coach Brad Jackson (518-279). Dolfo tallied her 600th career victory on January 11, 2020 vs. Seattle Pacific, in her 840th career game. Dolfo became the 36th active NCAA women's head coach across all divisions to join the 600-win club and is one of 73 women's coaches all-time in NCAA history to reach the milestone. WWU has recorded 23 seasons with 20-or-more wins under Dolfo. She was named the 2021-22 GNAC Coach of the Year. That was her fifth GNAC honor and 12th Coach of the Year accolade overall. Dolfo was also a volleyball and basketball student-athlete at WWU in the 1980s.

 

The 2023-24 coaching staff includes 12th-year assistant head coach Stacey Turrell, assistant coach Bobbi Westendorf, volunteer assistant Mike Li, and student assistants George Irwin, Ben Allen and Grant Brewer.

 

Two WWU women's basketball coaches have more than 400 career victories, with current head coach Carmen Dolfo amassing 674 wins and Hall of Fame coach Lynda Goodrich totaling 411 wins leading the Vikings for 19 seasons from 1971-1990. The program owns an all-time record of 1106-391 for a career winning percentage of .739.

 

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in 10 of the last 14 full seasons, and 37 times in the 52-year history of the program. WWU has 23 seasons of 20 or more wins under head coach Carmen Dolfo, who is the winningest coach of any sport at WWU and ranks among Division II active and all-time coaching leaders in wins with 674, winning percentage and 20-win seasons. The Vikings have reached the NCAA II Tournament in 19 of 24 possible seasons at the Division II level with three trips to the Elite Eight (last in 2022) and played in the 2022 national championship game. The program has 1,106 all-time wins in the 53-year history of the program, and according to available records, is one of less than 20 women's college basketball team across all divisions and levels to reach the 1,000-victory milestone.