BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team opens the NCAA Championships Friday as the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Division II Championships West Regional in Carson, California.

 

Coming off regular-season and postseason Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles, the No. 7 nationally-ranked Vikings are 24-3 overall entering Friday's game vs. No. 7 seed and No. 14 nationally-ranked Azusa Pacific. Tip-off vs. the Cougars is scheduled for 2:30 pm from the Torodome on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills. All games during the eight-team West Regional will feature a live and free webcast available via the CCAA Network.

 

For the 19th time in 24 possible seasons since joining the NCAA Division II level, and third consecutive, the Vikings have advanced to play in the NCAA postseason. WWU has advanced to the postseason (conference, regional, NCAA) in 48 of 51 possible seasons of program history. The Vikings are the defending West Regional champions after making a historic run to the national title game in 2021-22 and have won at least one game in 11 of 17 previous trips to the regional tournament (did not play in 2020).

 

The eight-team West Regional features three GNAC programs, four from the CCAA and one from the PacWest. Cal State Dominguez Hills (28-2) is the No. 1 seed and will serve as the regional host. Behind the No. 2 seed Vikings is No. 3 Cal State San Marcos (23-5), No. 4 Montana State Billings (24-7), No. 5 Cal State LA (20-9), No. 6 Central Washington (21-8), No. 7 Azusa Pacific (25-4) and No. 8 Cal Poly Pomona (18-10) round out the regional field.

 

The Vikings carry an 11-1 record away from Bellingham into regional play and will be facing an Azusa Pacific squad that handed the Vikings one of their three losses on the season. WWU fell to APU 59-58 in the season opener in the West Region Crossover Classic held at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham.

 

The Vikings are led by GNAC Championships Most Outstanding Player and unanimous all-conference selection junior forward Brooke Walling, who is averaging 13.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 blocked shots per game. Senior guard Avery Dykstra was selected as the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and is averaging 7.8 points per game. WWU features a deep and balanced lineup with nine players averaging at least 5.0 points per game and all 11 players logging at least 8.0 minutes per game.

 

WWU heads into the postseason ranked 2nd nationally in both assists (19.6) and blocked shots (6.0) per game, 3rd in field goal percentage (.488/763-for-1565) and 17th in scoring offense averaging 75.8 points per game.

 

The NCAA Division II Championships features a 64-team field with eight teams from eight regions across the country. The winner of each region will converge in St. Joseph, Missouri for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the Elite Eight March 20-22, with the national championship game played April 1 in Dallas, Texas.

 

 

Here are some handy links on how to follow the 2023 NCAA II Championships West Regional:

 

• CCAA Network: All games will feature a live and free webcast on the CCAA Network. Links are available via wwuvikings.com/Liveand you can search for the CCAA Network application on various OTA apps like Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
• Live Stats: Statistical updates will be provided for each game with direct links to WWU games available at wwuvikings.com/Live.
• NCAA Championships: The updated tournament bracket, box scores and more can be found online via the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball home page.
• Ticket & Parking Information: Ticket and parking information for West Regional games at Cal State Dominguez Hills can be found online at GoToros.com.

 

Here is a player-by-player rundown of the Vikings roster heading into the NCAA Championships:

 

• #1 - Avery Dykstra (Sr., G, 7.8 ppg, 2.9 apg): Started all 27 games…GNAC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-GNAC…tops on team averaging 28.5 minutes per game…from free throw line is 44-for-54 (.815), including 24-for-32 in the final three minutes of games…scored 21 points in two GNAC Tournament games…second player in GNAC history to win back-to-back DPOTY honors…five-year member of the program appearing in 121 career games (98 starts)…727 career points, 290 assists, 119 steals in career…four-time GNAC All-Academic selection.
• #3 - Riley Dykstra (So., G, 7.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 apg): Started all 27 games…averaging 7.2 points per game while scoring double-digits nine times…shooting .365 from three point range (31-for-85)…season-high 18 points at CWU (1/5) and vs. Dominican (11/25)…2022 GNAC Freshman of the Year…All-GNAC Academic.
• #12 - Steph Peterson (Jr., G, 3.1 ppg, 1.1 apg): Transfer from Cameron appearing in all 27 games with 2 starts…minutes have grown over the course of the season…hit go-ahead late three-pointer vs. MSUB (2/16)…season-high 9 points at UAA (1/28) and vs. UAF (12/31)…2022 Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
• #13 – Monique Fierke (Sr., G, 2.1 ppg): Shooting guard who is 13-for-31 from three-point range this season and 44-for-134 (.328) in her career…career-high 10 points vs. Dominican (11/25)…three-time All-GNAC Academic.
• #15 - Brooke Walling (Jr., F, 13.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg): Unanimous First Team All-GNAC…GNAC Tournament MVP…leads team in scoring (13.6), rebounds (9.2), assists (3.4), steals (1.5) and blocked shots (1.8)…2nd in the GNAC with .584 FG Pct. (149-for-255)…recorded 10 double-doubles to rank 2nd in GNAC and most by a Viking since 2009-10 season…scored in double-digits in 21 of 27 games with three 20-point performances…All-GNAC Academic in first year eligible and All-District Academic…2022 West Regional and Elite Eight All-Tournament selection…second year at WWU after transferring from Fresno State.
• #20 - Katrina Gimmaka (Sr., F, 9.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg): Second Team All-GNAC…started all 27 games…averaging 9.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game…top shooting percentage in the GNAC at .589 (119-for-202)…twice during season made 11 consecutive field goal attempts to fall one short of WWU record…scored in double-digits in 13 games with team-high four 20-point games…season/career-high 24 points at Western Oregon (2/9).
• #21 - Truitt Reilly (So., F, 7.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg): Appeared in all 27 games as a reserve…averaging 7.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game…second on the team and tied for 3rd in the GNAC with four double-doubles…career-high 16 points vs. UAF (12/31)…shooting .497 from the field (73-for-147)…6th in the GNAC in rebounding and 10th in blocked shots (0.8/game).
• #23 - Mason Oberg (R-Fr., G, 8.6 ppg, 1.3 apg): Third year freshman after tearing ACL during 2021 shortened COVID season…appeared in 21 of 27 games averaging 8.6 points per game…ranked No. 2 in GNAC in three-point field goal percentage going 42-for-98 from beyond the arc…season/career-high 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting (6-for-8 3FG) vs. WOU (1/14)…missed six consecutive games Jan. 28-Feb. 16 with knee soreness.
• #25 - Maddy Grandbois (So., G, 5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg): Appeared all 27 games…has shown to be defensive specialist that can also score…31-for-74 from three-point range (.419) and 12-for-13 from the free throw line (.923)…scored 10 points in GNAC Championship game with pair of three-pointers and 4-for-4 FT…All-GNAC Academic and Academic All-District…mother, Shannon, played at WWU from 1992-97, scoring 1,335 points and father played football at WWU.
• #32 - Mollie Olson (Sr., G, 5.9 ppg, 3.2 apg): Appeared in 22 of 27 games with 21 starts…averaging 19.3 minutes per game…dished out 3.2 assists per game, including seven in GNAC Championships final…scored in double-digits six times…322 career assists in 113 games as a Viking to rank 16th in program history GNAC All-Academic selection…younger brother, Keith, plays football at the University of Utah.
• #34 - Carley Zaragoza (Sr., F, 7.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg): Appeared in all 27 games…averaging 7.8 points per game overall, but scoring at a 10.3 per-game clip over last 12 games (since 1/21)…scored career-high 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting on senior night vs. SFU (2/23)…grabbed career-high 8 rebounds in GNAC Championships final vs. MSUB, nearing double-double with 12 points…top 15 in GNAC in free throw pct. (.779/60-for-77)…three-time GNAC All-Academic…Academic All-District selection in 2023.

 

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2022-23 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 – Enters NCAA Tournament 24-3 overall and went 16-2 in GNAC play.
• Always Dancing – Making 19th NCAA Championships appearance in 24 seasons.
• GNAC Tournament Champs – Won the GNAC tournament title with a come-from-behind 76-71 win over Montana State Billings…three-day tournament was hosted by WWU in Carver Gym March 2-4.
• GNAC Champions – Won 2022-23 GNAC regular-season title, winning back-to-back conference titles.
• GNAC Tournament MVP – Brooke Walling earned GNAC Tournament MVP honors averaging 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in wins over SPU and MSUB.
• Comeback Kids – Defeated MSUB in GNAC Final after trailing by 17 points late in the first half…biggest comeback win for the Vikings since overcoming 19-point deficit vs. Northwest Missouri State in November 2006.
• National Polls – Enter postseason ranked No. 7 (WBCA) and No. 9 (D2SIDA) in NCAA II.
• Winning in Carver – Went 12-1 on WECU Court in Carver Gym in 2022-23 (32-4 last 4 seasons).
• Defensive Player of the Year – Avery Dykstra selected as GNAC Defensive Player of the Year for second consecutive season.
• Double Doubles – Brooke Walling has recorded 11 double-doubles, the most by a Viking since Jessica Summer had nine in 2009-10.
• On the Mark – Leads the GNAC and rank 3rd in NCAA II with .488 overall field goal percentage…also 3rd in NCAA from beyond the arc with .381 three-point field goal percentage.
• All Around Brooke – Brooke Walling leads the team in scoring (13.9), rebounds (9.2), assists (3.4), steals (1.5), blocked shots (1.8) and 2nd in minutes played (28.3), and field goal percentage (.584).
• Postseason Brooke – In 11 career postseason games with WWU (GNAC-5, NCAA-6), Brooke Walling is averaging 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game…shooting .588 (77-for-131) in the postseason.
• Distribution – No. 2 in NCAA II averaging 19.4 assists per game.
• 20 Win Seasons – Reached 20-win mark for 37th time in 52-year history of program (23rd under Dolfo).
• Road Warriors – 11-1 away games this season, completing GNAC season winning eight of nine away from Bellingham…over last two seasons are 30-5 in away/neutral site games.
• High Scoring – 2nd in the GNAC averaging 75.1 points per game to rank 17th nationally…reached 100-point mark in back-to-back games Dec. 29 (UAA) and Dec. 31 (UAF).
• Defensive Lockdown – Holding teams to 58.4 points per game to rank 44th in NCAA II.
• Postseason Pulse – Played in the postseason (conference, regional, NCAA) in 48 of 51 possible seasons, including 2023 having already clinched spot in GNAC Championships.
• Balanced Offense – Seven players are averaging at least 7.0 points, led by 13.6 from Brooke Walling.
• Student-Athletes – Tied program record with eight selections to GNAC All-Academic Team…also had four selections to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
• Coach Dolfo – Head Coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 32nd season leading the program…all-time record of 667-254 (.724)…23 seasons with 20+ wins.

 

Here are some facts on the Vikings heading into the NCAA II West Regional Championships:

 

• Won the program's sixth GNAC regular-season title, winning the league in back-to-back seasons.
• Defending West Regional Champions defeating Cal State East Bay last year on the road to punch ticket to third Elite Eight…played in the national championship game falling to Glenville State.
• Ranked No. 7 nationally in the WBCA NCAA II Coaches Poll and No. 9 in D2SIDA Media Poll…ranked in each of last 33 national polls, with 22 of those weeks in the national top 10.
• Won GNAC Tournament with 76-71 win over Montana State Billings, overcoming 17-point deficit.
• Making 19th trip to the NCAA II Championships in 24 possible seasons.
• Dropped season opener to No. 21 Azusa Pacific before going on 14-game winning streak.
• Ranks No. 3 in the nation in both field goal percentage (.488) and three-point field goal percentage (.381).
• Out-scoring opponents by 16.7 points per game to rank 10th in NCAA Division II.
• Roster features 11 active players, with 10 averaging at least 13 minutes per game (leading minutes is 28.5).
• Recorded 525 assists on 763 made field goals, for a .688 assist-to-field goal ratio…2nd in NCAA averaging 19.4 assists per game.
• Features three starters that hail from small town of Everson, Washington (Dykstra's, Gimmaka) situated in North Whatcom County near the Canadian border, which has a population of 2,967 (2021 census).
• Over last four seasons (since 2019-20) the Vikings have combined to go 77-18 (.811).

 

Here is a look at the West Regional bracket, with a link to the Field of 64 NCAA II Championships Bracket by clicking on the image.

The Vikings will be making their 19th NCAA Championships appearance in 24 possible seasons (since 1998-99) and are the defending West Regional Champions. Advanced to play in the national title game last season, falling to Glenville State. WWU advanced to the NCAA Championships in 15 of 16 seasons from 1999-2014 and is making its third consecutive trip to the NCAA postseason. Has won three regional championships to advance to the Elite Eight in 2000 (Pine Bluff, Arkansas), 2013 (San Antonio, TX) and 2022 (Birmingham, AL). The Vikings own an all-time 20-17 record in NCAA tournament play, recording at least one win in 11 of 17 prior regional appearances (with a game played). Below is a game-by-game listing of WWU in NCAA Tournament play with the regional host site listed next to the year:

 

1998-99 (Davis, CA): 

Defeated Seattle Pacific, 77-69 (OT) 

Lost to Montana State Billings, 70-48 

 

1999-2000 (Pomona, CA):

Defeated Alaska Anchorage, 78-59 

Defeated Cal Poly Pomona, 84-66 

Defeated Slippery Rock, 84-67 – Elite Eight

Lost to Northern Kentucky, 80-74 – Final Four 

 

2000-01 (Pomona, CA): 

Defeated Central Washington, 74-66 

Lost to Cal Poly Pomona, 91-85 

 

2001-02 (Pomona, CA):

Defeated Sonoma State, 71-60 

Lost to Cal Poly Pomona, 71-70 

 

2002-03 (Seattle, WA):

Lost to Northwest Nazarene, 83-79 

 

2003-04 (Seattle, WA):

Defeated Sonoma State, 85-71 

Lost to Seattle Pacific, 80-66 

 

2004-05 (Seattle, WA):

Defeated CSU Dominguez Hills, 82-74 (OT) 

Lost to Chico State, 85-75 

 

2005-06 (Bellingham, WA):

Defeated Northwest Nazarene, 66-54 

Lost to Seattle Pacific, 70-50 

 

2006-07 (La Jolla, CA):

Lost to UC San Diego, 78-45 

 

2008-09 (Seattle, WA):

Lost to Humboldt State, 74-64 

 

2009-10 (Seattle, WA):

Lost to Chico State, lost 79-68 

 

2010-11 (Pomona, CA):

Lost to Alaska Anchorage, 55-48 

 

2011-12 (La Jolla, CA):

Defeated Cal State Monterey Bay, 65-58 

Lost to UC San Diego, 81-66 

 

2012-13 (Bellingham, WA):

Defeated Academy of Art, 70-50 

Defeated Cal State Monterey Bay, 71-63 

Defeated Simon Fraser, 75-58 

Defeated Nova Southeastern, 80-76 (OT) – Elite Eight

Lost to Ashland, 66-54 – Final Four 

 

2013-14 (Pomona, CA):

Lost to Simon Fraser, 77-70

 

2016-17 (Anchorage, AK):

Defeated Cal State East Bay, 74-48

Lost to Cal Baptist, 80-68

 

2019-20 (Honolulu, HI):

vs. Alaska Anchorage, DNP (COVID-19)

 

2021-22 (Hayward, CA):

Defeated Alaska Anchorage, 76-64

Defeated Central Washington, 64-58

Defeated Cal State East Bay, 73-59 – West Regional Final

Defeated Valdosta State, 58-55 – Elite Eight

Defeated North Georgia, 74-68 – Final Four

Lost to Glenville State, 85-72 – National Championship Game

 

2022-23 (Carson, CA):

vs. Azusa Pacific

 

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference is represented by three teams at the West Regional in Carson, California, with No. 2 WWU, No. 4 Montana State Billings and No. 3 Central Washington. WWU had four teams advance to the NCAA Championships last season. The GNAC has had three or more teams qualify for the NCAA West Regional in 13 of the conference's 22 years.

Here is a list of Vikings current national and West Region rankings heading into the postseason, with WWU listed No. 7 in the WBCA Coaches poll and No. 9 in the D2SIDA Media poll. The Vikings were listed at No. 2 in the NCAA West Regional rankings leading up to Sunday's selection, where they were awarded the No. 2 seed. WWU has appeared in 33 consecutive national polls dating back to the start of the 2021-22 season, with 22 weeks in the national top 10.

 

• NCAA Regional Ranking: #2 in West (awarded No. 2 seed)
• WBCA NCAA II Coaches Poll: #7
• D2SIDA NCAA II Media Poll: #9

Here is a look at the series history between the Vikings and NCAA West Regional Field. WWU played four of the seven teams in the regional during the 2022-23 regular season, going 4-3 in those games:

 

• #1 Cal State Dominguez Hills – Own 2-1 all-time record vs. the Toros…last meeting came in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, an 82-74 overtime victory in the quarterfinals in Seattle.
• #3 Cal State San Marcos – Leads series 2-0, winning games vs. nationally-ranked Cougars in each of the last two seasons in the West Region Crossover…earlier this season defeated CSUSM 63-46 in the second game of the season, played at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham.
• #4 Montana State Billings – Defeated MSUB 76-71 in the GNAC Championships final…went 0-1 vs. the Yellowjackets during the regular season…WWU leads all-time series 29-17 with 0-1 record in NCAA Tournament.
• #5 Cal State LA – Leads series 6-0 with last meeting in 2004-05 season, a 79-51 WWU victory.
• #6 Central Washington – Went 2-0 vs. CWU during the regular season, an 82-70 win on the road in Moses Lake and 78-60 win in Carver Gym…WWU has won last three meetings, including 64-58 West Regional semifinal victory last March in Hayward, California. Vikings are 101-17 all-time vs. CWU.
• #7 Azusa Pacific – Faced APU in first game of the season, falling 59-58 in the West Region Crossover Classic at Whatcom CC…answered with 14-game winning streak after season-opening loss…APU leads series 7-5.
• #8 Cal Poly Pomona – Trails series 7-9 vs. CPP…Vikings are 4-1 vs. the Broncos in the last five meetings, last meeting in 2008…faced three times in NCAA Tournament with CPP 2-1 in those postseason games.

 

Here is a look at the national rankings of the eight teams that make up the West Regional field:

 

 

WWU improved to 17-8 all-time in the GNAC Championships by winning its third conference tournament title, and first since back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014. WWU has advanced to play in the GNAC postseason tournament in 11 of 12 possible seasons and played in nine championship games. Carver Gym and WECU Court hosted the event for the second time, also welcoming 12 teams to campus in the 2018-19 season. No. 1 seed WWU defeated No. 5 Seattle Pacific (58-53) in the semifinal and overcame a 17-point deficit to down No. 2 Montana State Billings in the championship game to become the first team to win the postseason tournament on its home court – men or women – in the 12-year history of the event.

Junior forward Brooke Walling was selected as the GNAC Championships Most Outstanding Player averaging 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 72.2-percent from the field (13-for-18). Walling becomes the third Viking to earn the GNAC Championships MVP award joining Trishi Williams (2013) and Jenni White (2014).

WWU won the GNAC regular-season title with a 16-2 conference record. The Vikings have won back-to-back regular-season titles for the first time since the conference was formed in 2001-02 and the sixth time overall. Western also has won a trio of conference tournament titles in 2013, 2014 and 2023. WWU has now won GNAC regular-season titles in 2001-02, 2005-06, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2021-22 and 2022-23.

 

The GNAC champion WWU women's basketball team has three players selected to the 2022-23 All-Conference team, led by a pair of first-team selections and the Defensive Player of the Year. Senior guard Avery Dykstra became just the second player in conference history to repeat as the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors as a unanimous selection. Junior forward Brooke Walling was a unanimous First Team All-GNAC pick and senior forward Katrina Gimmaka earned second-team honors.

Here is a look at the final GNAC standings from the regular season and updated records heading into the NCAA Championships. WWU won the regular-season title with a 16-2 conference record to earn the No. 1 seed for the GNAC Championships held March 2-4 in Bellingham and won the tournament to receive the conference's automatic bid to the West Regional. Montana State Billings and Central Washington also advanced to the NCAA postseason.

 

 

Here is where WWU ranks in the NCAA Division II statistical rankings (as of 3/7), with the Vikings ranking 2nd in blocks (5.9) and assists (19.4) per game and 3rd in both field goal pct. (.488), three-point field goal pct. (.381) and rebound margin (+11.1). WWU is also 10th in scoring margin (+16.7), 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2), 17th in scoring offense (75.1) and 44th in scoring defense (58.4).

 

 

The Vikings are 11-1 in games played away from Bellingham this season, after going 19-4 on the road last season. Over the last two seasons the program has combined to go 30-5 in away games. WWU went 12-1 in Carver Gym this season and 1-1 at Whatcom Community College for the home record breakdown.

 

WWU leads the GNAC and ranks 3rd in NCAA II with a team .488 field goal percentage, connecting on 763 of 1565 shots from the field. Current field goal percentage would rank 2nd in program history if the season concluded. Western is also ranked 2nd in the nation with a .381 three-point field goal percentage (191-for-501). Katrina Gimmaka (.589/119-for-202) and Brooke Walling (.584/149-for-255) are ranked No. 1-2 in the GNAC in field goal percentage.

 

WWU utilizes its entire 11-player active roster, with 10 players averaging at least 13 minutes per game and all 11 players over 8.0 minutes per game. WWU's balanced scoring attack features seven players averaging at least 7.0 points per game.

 

The Vikings are 24-3 overall, reaching the 20-win mark for the 37th time in the 52-year history of the program, and 23rd time in 32 seasons under head coach Carmen Dolfo.

 

Dating back to the start of the 2019-20 season, the Vikings have combined to go 77-18 (.811) with a 40-12 record in GNAC play (.769). WWU went 25-6 during the Elite 8 2021-22 season and are 24-3 so far during the 2022-23 season.

 

WWU celebrated its five seniors Avery Dykstra, Mollie Olson, Monique Fierke, Carley Zaragoza and Katrina Gimmaka prior to the final regular-season home game vs. Simon Fraser on February 23 in Carver Gym. The five seniors have combined to play in 549 games.

 

Four Vikings were selected to the 2022-23 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognizing the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. Student-athletes that were nominated had to have at least a 3.50 GPA and be a significant contributor on their team. Each program was allowed to nominate four student-athletes.

 

The Vikings matched their program record with eight selections to the 2022-23 GNAC All-Academic Team, with four-time award winner Avery Dykstra and 4.00 student Maddy Grandbois leading the way. WWU's eight selections matched the program record set in 2021-22, with the prior record six GNAC Academic All-Stars. Seniors Monique Fierke and Carley Zaragoza were also three-time selections.

 

Junior forward Brooke Walling has been filling the stat sheet this season ranking amongst GNAC leaders in several categories. Here is a look at where Walling is listed in the GNAC and NCAA II this season:

 

• Blocked Shots: 1.8 blocks per game (2nd in GNAC, 18th in NCAA II)
• Scoring: 13.6 points per game (9th in GNAC)
• Rebounding: 9.2 rebounds per game (2nd in GNAC, 37th in NCAA II)
• FG Pct: .584/149-for-255 (2nd in GNAC, 10th in NCAA II)
• Assists: 3.4 assists per game (5th in GNAC)
• Steals: 1.5 steals per game (12th in GNAC)
• Double-Doubles: 11 (2nd in GNAC, 32nd in NCAA II)

 

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2022-23 season results and schedule heading into the NCAA Championships. The complete 2022-23 WWU women's basketball schedule and season results to this point can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/22-23_WBB.

 

 

Here is a listing of individual honors for Viking players during the 2022-23 season:

 

Brooke Walling:

• West Region Crossover Classic MVP
• Lynda Goodrich Classic MVP
• Preseason All-GNAC
• GNAC Player of the Week (Jan. 2-8)
• GNAC All-Academic
• CSC Academic All-District
• First Team All-GNAC (unanimous)
• GNAC Championships MVP

Avery Dykstra:

• Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament

• Preseason All-GNAC
• GNAC All-Academic
• CSC Academic All-District
• First Team All-GNAC (unanimous)
• GNAC Defensive Player of the Year

Mason Oberg:

• Hoops in Hawai'i Classic All-Tournament

Maddy Grandbois:

• Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament
• GNAC All-Academic
• CSC Academic All-District

Mollie Olson:

• Preseason All-GNAC
• GNAC All-Academic

Riley Dykstra:

• Preseason All-GNAC
• GNAC All-Academic

Katrina Gimmaka

• GNAC Player of the Week (Jan. 30-Feb. 5)
• Second Team All-GNAC

Carley Zaragoza

• GNAC All-Academic
• CSC Academic All-District

Monique Fierke

• GNAC All-Academic

Truitt Reilly

• GNAC All-Academic

 

The Vikings established a single-game program record making 18 three-pointers on January 26 vs. Alaska Fairbanks. Seven different players hit a trey in the 99-62 win over the Nanooks to pass the old record of 15 set against Cal Poly Humboldt (Humboldt State) twice during the 2005-06 season. The Vikings also attempted a single-game program record 35 three-pointers for a .514 shooting performance from beyond the arc (14th-best in program history with min. 10 made threes). For the season WWU ranks among the national leaders in three-point shooting, listed No. 3 in 3FG shooting percentage (.381/191-for-501).

 

Separated by just 20 months, the Dykstra sisters – Avery (older) and Riley (younger) – are the latest in a long line of Dykstra family members that have had a big impact on WWU Athletics. Uncle Grant was a Division II Basketball All-American in 2005-06 and won the 2006 V Foundation Comeback award. Uncle Greg was an all-conference football player, and Greg's wife, Aunt Kelly, was an all-conference basketball player. The Dykstra sisters are local products that prepped at Lynden Christian, playing two years in high school together. Avery won a state championship in basketball at Lynden Christian in 2016, exactly 20 years after mom Shannon won one, and exactly 40 years after grandfather Glen Dykstra won one. Avery and Riley played together on a state championship team in 2018, and Riley won another in 2020. Avery is a two-time GNAC Defensive Player of the Year (2022 & 2023) and Riley was the 2022 GNAC Freshman of the Year.

 

The Vikings had their 14-game winning streak snapped in the road contest at MSUB on January 21. It marked the 26th double-digit winning streak in program history and enters the record book as the 10th-longest in program history and the longest since a 16-game winning streak spanning the 2020-21 and 2021-22 season. 

 

 

WWU entered the 2022 NCAA Division II Championships as the No. 3 seed in the NCAA II West Regional, but went on a five-game winning streak – knocking off four higher seeded teams – to play for the national championship. The Vikings battled Glenville State in the championship game at the CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama, falling 85-72 to earn national runner-up honors. Marked the Vikings third trip to the Elite 8 and first since 2013. Including the 2022-23 season, WWU has advanced to the NCAA II Championships in 19 of 24 possible seasons.

 

Head coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 32nd season leading the program, owning an all-time record of 667-254 (.724) to rank amongst the active and career leaders at the NCAA Division II level for career wins and winning percentage. Entered the 2022-23 season, Dolfo ranked 13th all-time in NCAA II in wins. Dolfo has led the Vikings to 18 trips to the NCAA Championships and a trio of Elite 8 appearances, including playing in the national championship game in 2022. 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 22 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 2022-23 coaching staff includes 11th-year assistant head coach Stacey Turrell, assistant coach Bobbi Westendorf, volunteer assistants Annalisa Fish and Mike Li, and student assistant George Irwin.

 

Two WWU women's basketball coaches have more than 400 career victories, with current head coach Carmen Dolfo amassing 667 wins and Hall of Fame coach Lynda Goodrich totaling 411 wins leading the Vikings for 19 seasons from 1971-1990. The program owns a record of 1099-389 for a career winning percentage of .738.

 

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in 10 of the last 13 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 667 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 and played in the 2022 national championship game. The program has 1,099 all-time wins in the 52-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.