BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 17 Western Washington University women's basketball team returns home to WECU Court in Carver Gym this week opening a four-game homestand against Seattle Pacific University and No. 9 nationally-ranked Montana State University Billings.

 

WWU carries a five-game winning streak into the final two games of the first half of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule. The Vikings are 14-3 overall and in 2nd place in the conference standings with a 6-1 mark. 

 

Western will entertain the Falcons and Yellowjackets in a pair of 7 pm GNAC contests in the heart of the WWU campus inside Carver Gym, with the Vikings owning a perfect 8-0 in home games this season. The Vikings have won their last 12 games on WECU Court dating back to last season, with the last defeat a 66-64 loss in overtime to MSUB on February 16, 2023.

 

Tickets are available online via wwuvikings.com/Tickets and the Carver Gym Box Office opens one hour prior to tip-off for all games. Free parking is available on campus in the 19G lot for general fans and season ticket holders can park in 9G with their dedicated pass. More info at wwuvikings.com/Parking.

 

The Vikings are coming off a pair of road victories last week, defeating Saint Martin's (52-49) and Western Oregon (77-61) to remain one game back of MSUB heading into the week. WWU is listed No. 17 in the WBCA coaches poll and No. 15 in the D2CSC media poll. MSUB is at No. 9 in the WBCA poll and No. 7 in the media poll, with the 'Jackets and Vikings holding the top two spots in the D2CSC West Region Poll.

 

Thursday's game vs. SPU will feature the first of two WECU Night's, with WECU members receiving free admission and up to three guests to watch the GNAC contest. A Victor the Viking Bobblehead will also be given out to the first 250 fans in attendance. Saturday's game features a battle between the two teams in the conference standings and a rematch of the 2023 GNAC Championship game won by WWU 76-71 in an instant classic in Carver Gym.

 

WWU remains one of the top defensive teams in the nation holding opponents to 57.2 points per game and limiting teams to a 34.2 field goal percentage. The Vikings offense has surged averaging 80.6 over the last five games and rank 3rd in the GNAC averaging 72.6 points per game.

 

Senior All-American Brooke Walling continues to lead the Vikings averaging 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, and paces the GNAC with nine double-doubles. Sophomore guard Mason Oberg returned to the court last week and is averaging 11.4 points per game. Junior forward Aspen Garrison (10.4) and junior guard Riley Dykstra (10.0) are also averaging double-digits in scoring. The Vikings balanced offensive attack features six players averaging at least 6.0 points per game, with the team leading the league in shooting at 46.8-percent. Senior guard Steph Peterson has been running the offense averaging 4.1 assists per game to rank 2nd in the GNAC and is 3rd in the league with 2.3 steals per game.

 

 

The Vikings are perfect at home this season in Carver Gym, sporting an 8-0 record on WECU Court. WWU has won 40 of its last 44 games on WECU Court combining to go 40-4 since the 2019-20 season.

 

WWU will hold the first of two WECU Nights planned for the 2023-24 basketball season this Thursday when the nationally-ranked WWU women's basketball team hosts Seattle Pacific University. To celebrate WECU's partnership with WWU Athletics, credit union members will receive up to four free tickets to watch the nationally-ranked Vikings take on the Falcons. WECU members will need to redeem their free tickets at the WWU Box Office (opens at 6 pm) by showing their WECU card. Additionally, the first 250 fans through the doors in Carver Gym will receive a limited edition WWU Viking bobblehead courtesy of WECU. A Nintendo Switch will also be the student raffle prize for the SPU game courtesy of Pepsi and Walton Beveridge.

 

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. Parking for all WWU home events in Carver Gym is also free and now located in the 19G Lot by the Student Recreation Center. Season ticket parking will be in the 9G lot. A parking map is available at wwuvikings.com.

 

Parking for all WWU home events in Carver Gym is free and now located in the 19G Lot by the Student Recreation Center. Season ticket parking will be in the 9G lot. A parking map is available at wwuvikings.com.

 

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 14-3 start to the season (6-1 in GNAC play) with 2-1 record against ranked opponents.

·         Home Sweet Home – Perfect 8-0 record on WECU Court in Carver Gym this season…over last five seasons (since 2019-20) WWU is 40-4 in home games.

·         Home Winning Streak – Vikings have won last 12 home games dating back to last season.

·         National Polls – Current national rankings of No. 17 (WBCA) and No. 15 (D2CSC).

·         West Region Ranking – Holds No. 2 spot in D2CSC West Regional Poll.

·         All Around Brooke – Brooke Walling leads the team in scoring (16.5), rebounds (9.5), blocked shots (2.4) and field goal percentage (.636/119-for-187)…paces the GNAC with nine double-doubles while ranking 4th in scoring average, 1st in rebounding, 1st in field goal pct., and 2nd in blocked shots.

·         Double Doubles – Brooke Walling has recorded nine double-doubles through the first 17 games of the season to lead the GNAC and tie for 7th in NCAA II…25 double-doubles during WWU career, including 11 in 2022-23.

·         Brooke Nearing 1000 as a Viking – Brooke Walling has already reached the 1,000-point mark for her collegiate career (1115 counting time at Fresno State), but is now 26 points shy of becoming the 29th players in program history to score 1,000 points as a Viking.

·         Steph's Steals and Assists – Senior Steph Peterson ranks 2nd in the GNAC averaging 4.1 assists per game and is listed 3rd with 2.3 steals per game, both team-leading marks.

·         3 for THREE – Junior Riley Dykstra is shooting 45.8-percent from three-point range (27-for-59) to rank 2nd in the GNAC…also 9th overall in the conference with a .511 field goal pct. (68-for-133) and 8th with 3.1 assists per game…also 21st averaging 10.0 points per game for the season.

·         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.

·         That's a SWAT – 2nd in the GNAC and 4th in NCAA II averaging 5.7 blocked shots per game (97 total blocked shots).

·         Defensive Lockdown – Ranks 10th in NCAA II in opponent field goal percentage holding opponents to .342 from the field…also limiting teams to 57.2 points per game to lead the GNAC and rank No. 25 in NCAA II.

·         On the Mark – Leads the GNAC and ranks No. 8 NCAA II with .468 field goal percentage (456-for-975).

·         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 681-258 (.725)…23 seasons with 20+ wins.

 

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

 

 

The Vikings return home to Carver Gym to play four consecutive and six of their next eight games on WECU Court. WWU hosts Seattle Pacific (Jan. 25) and first-place Montana State Billings (Jan. 27) this week, followed by games against Alaska Fairbanks (Feb. 1) and Alaska Anchorage (Feb. 3) to open the second half of the conference schedule. All GNAC home games this season feature a 7 pm tip-off. The complete 2023-24 WWU women's basketball schedule can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/23-24_WBB.

 

Senior All-American forward Brooke Walling leads the GNAC and ranks tied for 7th in NCAA II recording a double-double in nine of 17 games this season. Walling is nearly averaging a double-double with 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while also shooting a GNAC-best 63.6-percent from the field (119-for-17). Here is a look at the GNAC leaders in double-doubles in 2023-24:

 

 

The Vikings rank 3rd in the GNAC averaging 72.6 points per game, a mark that is also No. 50 in NCAA II. Over the last five games Western's offense has surged averaging 80.6 points per game, including a 100-point output against Central Washington.

 

WWU leads the GNAC and ranks in the top 10 in NCAA II (No. 8) with a team field goal percentage of 46.8, connecting on 456-of-975 total shots. Here is a look at the national top 10 for shooting efficiency:

 

 

Here is a look at the series history between WWU and opponents this week:

 

·         Seattle Pacific: WWU went 3-0 vs. SPU last season, sweeping the regular season series with a 58-53 win on the road and 69-52 victory in Carver Gym…defeated the Falcons 58-53 in the GNAC Championships semifinal round in Bellingham…the Vikings have won 10 consecutive games against SPU dating back to the 2018-19 season…WWU leads the all-time series 71-33.

·         MSU Billings: Saturday's game features the top two teams in the standings this season…MSUB swept the regular-season series last year with a 73-61 win in Billings and 66-64 overtime win in Carver Gym…WWU got some revenge winning the GNAC Championship game on its home court 76-71, overcoming a 17-point deficit…WWU leads the all-time series 29-18 with a 22-11 conference record and 16-6 mark in games played in Bellingham…the Vikings are 7-4 vs. MSUB over the last 11 games.

 

WWU's home games this week will feature a live webcast on YouTube provided by Vikings TV. All live links to watch the Vikings throughout the season are available at wwuvikings.com/Live. All home games during the 2023-24 season will stream live on YouTube via Vikings TV and 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: WWU 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 10th in NCAA II limiting opponents to a .342 field goal percentage and listed No. 4 averaging 5.7 blocked shots per game. The Vikings are also listed No. 25 in the nation holding opponents to 57.2 points per game.

WWU enters this week ranked No. 15 in the D2CSC (College Sports Communicators) National Poll, No. 17 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, and No. 2 in the West Region. The Vikings have appeared in each of the last 45 national rankings dating back to the 2021-22 season.

 

Brooke Walling was a guest on KPUG 1170 for a Western Wednesday interview last week on The Zone with Allan Fee. Walling talked about the Vikings great start to the season, how the team is consistently looking for the extra pass and was even asked about her thoughts on the transfer portal. Fans can listen to a replay of the interview at KPUG1170.com.

 

Junior guard Riley Dykstra earned the GNAC Player of the Week award averaging 19.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and shooting 71.4-percent from the field (15-for-21) in wins over CWU and NNU (two weeks ago). The impressive week of shooting including hitting 7-of-10 shot from three-point range. Dykstra opened the award-winning week scoring 15 points on five three-pointers in a 100-75 win over Central Washington and concluded with a career-high 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting in an 88-60 win over Northwest Nazarene. For the season, Dykstra is averaging 10.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while ranking 2nd in the GNAC shooting 45.8-percent from beyond the arc (27-for-59).

 

Senior Brooke Walling crossed the 1,000-point mark for her collegiate career with a three-pointer at the 6:05 mark in the second quarter in WWU's Dec. 16 game at Cal State East Bay. Walling has combined for 1,115 points in 130 collegiate games, with 974 in 74 games with the Vikings (13.2 ppg). She is now just 26 points shy of reaching 1,000 career points as a Viking, which will make her the 29th player in program history with 1,000 points…She began her collegiate career at Fresno State totaling 141 points in 56 games for the Bulldogs.

 

Here is an updated look at the 2023-24 GNAC Women's Basketball standings heading into this week's action:

 

 

Junior forward Aspen Garrison returned home to Bellingham as a transfer from Saint Mary's College…getting the chance to play for her Mother, longtime head coach Carmen Dolfo. Aspen is a product of Sehome High School and spent two seasons at SMC prior to transferring back home for the 2023-24 season. In 17 games this season she is averaging 10.4 and 4.9 rebounds per game, with an 11.6 points per game average in GNAC play. The Cascadia Daily News published a great story on the family connection that is worth a read by clicking on the photo below:

The WWU roster once again shows a pair of Dykstra's, but this year it features cousins Riley (junior guard) and Demi (freshman guard). Riley teamed with her older sister Avery (graduated last year) the last three years playing together in a pair of NCAA Championships appearances. Riley and Demi 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. Demi's father, Greg, was an all-conference football player, and mother, Kelly, was an all-conference basketball player. The Dykstra cousins are local products that prepped at Lynden Christian, playing two years in high school together.

 

Over the last four seasons (since 2019-20), the Vikings have combined to go 91-22 for a .805 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) reached 1,000 career collegiate points in mid-December and Steph Peterson (transfer from Cameron) is nearing the milestone scoring mark. Here is a look at their collegiate points nearing the scoring milestone:

 

·         Brooke Walling (1115 points – 974 in 74 games at WWU, 141 in 56 games at Fresno State)

·         Steph Peterson (962 points – 199 in 45 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 & Dec. 11-19)

Stephanie Peterson:

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

Riley Dykstra: 

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Jan. 8-14)

·         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 home games this week vs. SPU and MSUB:

 

 

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. WWU is six wins away from another 20-win campaign in 2023-24.

 

Head coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 33rd season leading the program, owning an all-time record of 681-258 (.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 ranked 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 681 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 1113-393 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 681, 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 1,113 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.