The trials and tribulations of Bobcat Women’s basketball

Working their way through a season riddled with injuries and setbacks, the MSU’s women’s basketball team is picking up steam while heading into the most crucial point of the campaign. 

“We have had a lot of ups and downs with injuries, I feel that our team has done a great job of rallying around each other in times where we have needed it most,” sophomore Marah Dykstra said. 

Having won five out of the last six games, the squad is finding a way to get the job done regardless of the circumstances. 

“We have had a lot of trouble getting wins on the road, this past weekend showed our growth in that area by getting a road sweep,” Dykstra said. 

Facing hardships on the court has led to the team becoming a much more cohesive unit. This includes younger players seeing more playing time than previously expected and making the most of their opportunity. 

“People have had to step up for us and fill in for players regardless of their age or experience. We have gone through a lot of growth to now be playing like a cohesive unit,” Dykstra said. 

“Individually I have had to step into a bigger role. This team is young so it's been fun seeing our development over these past months,” Dykstra said. 

The team isn’t letting their youth and lack of in-game experience slow them down. They have their sights set on finishing the season strong and making a statement at the Big Sky Tournament, which takes place from Mar. 9-13 in Boise, ID. 

“I feel like regardless of the adversity we have faced over this our team is rallying together and overcoming everything we face. Our goal is to win a Big Sky Championship and we have been making serious strides towards that,” Dykstra said.

With the tournament on their minds, Dykstra says the team still has a focus on the games that lay directly ahead. 

“I think right now every game is circled, we all take our opponents seriously and every win and game matters for us,” Dykstra said. 

Having played since a young age, Dykstra is using that lifelong experience along with motivation from her father who played professionally as guidance for her time on the court at MSU. 

“I have been playing since I was five years old, my father played professionally and that's always been a dream and motivator for me to chase,” Dykstra said. 

Regardless of the trials and tribulations the MSU women’s basketball team is going through during the 2023-24 season, they’re keeping the sights set on a good end to the conference schedule and a Big Sky Championship win.