Webster athletics photo

By Brian Lester
D3sports.com

Addison Beussink can’t help but feel as if Webster is still being overlooked as it prepares for its first NCAA tournament trip since 2019.

Never mind that the Gorloks are undefeated or that they just won the SLIAC tournament for the fifth time in program history, beating the team (Westminster, Mo.) that was picked ahead of them in the preseason poll.

There’s still that seemingly inescapable feeling of being overlooked as far as Beussink, the reigning SLIAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, is concerned.

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And in some ways, that feeling has been there all season for a squad that is in the midst of its best season in program history.

“We’ve kind of had that underdog mentality all year after being picked second, and that’s motivated us,” Beussink said. “I feel like even though we are undefeated, I feel we get looked at as ‘oh their schedule wasn’t hard’ or ‘yeah, they are undefeated, but look who they are playing.' I’m excited to go out and show that we are a good team.”

Webster is one of three unbeaten teams in the NCAA Tournament, and first up for the 25-0 Gorloks is a date with Mary Hardin-Baylor in the opening round Friday night in Memphis.

This is a moment the team has been waiting two years for since last playing in the NCAA tourney in 2020 when they lost 71-45 to DePauw in the opening round.

There was no tournament last season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, though the Gorloks finished as the SLIAC tourney runner-up that year and would have had to hope for an at-large bid had there been a postseason.

So, now that the chance to dance is finally reality once again, third-team all-conference pick and all-defensive team selection Hannah Cottrell is thrilled.

“Coach always brings up the three seasons (regular season, conference tournament and NCAA tournament), and we’ve done a good job staying the course and getting through the first two, and now we have a chance to make a run in the tournament,” Cottrell said. “It’s awesome for all of us. We’re excited and prepared for it.”

SLIAC Coach of the Year Jordan Olufson believes the experience of two years ago will benefit his team.

Most of the players are back from that squad, including Naomi Johnson, an all-defensive team pick in the conference, as well as Julie Baudendistel, a junior who was the conference player of the year last season.

Olufson added that the work that’s gone into running through the regular season and conference tourney without a loss is a credit to the players.

“The kids have shown up and gotten better every day,” Olufson said. “All the credit goes to them for putting the time and effort into games and practices. It’s been a fun season and we hope we can keep the journey going.”

What has helped Webster put together another memorable year is not just depth, but the ability of each player to do her job.

“Everyone knows their role and they play really it well,” Buessink said. “That’s played a big part in our success.”

Cottrell agrees.

“We’re all unique and talented in individual ways, and by us staying true to that and to our roles, it has helped us have success,” Cottrell said.

Seven players average at least five points per game, with Buessink leading the way at 18.4 points per outing. She’s also grabbing 8.4 rebounds per game and has come up big defensively with 49 steals and 22 blocks.

Johnson is second on the team in scoring (12.2 points per game) and is among the best on the team in steals (66) and assists (59). She’s also knocked down a team-high 59 shots from beyond the arc while Baudendistel is pouring in 11.5 points per outing to go along with 38 steals.

Cottrell has had a big impact as well, leading the team in assists (92) and steals (73) while averaging 8.0 points per outing. Lauryn Freeman has been a force on defense as well, tallying 59 steals.

“None of the kids are the same from a skill or talent standpoint,” Olufson said. “We have kids that do a lot of different things. You have to pick your poison. We do a really good job of getting offensive rebounds and making the extra passes. This is a fun group that is dangerous in a lot of areas.”

Olufson also notes his team has remained even keel through the ups and downs of a long year.

“We’ve had games where we play really well from the tip and games that haven’t gone so well at the start, but we have never given in to the pressure moments,” Olufson said. “They’ve stayed composed all year and have stayed the course, and that’s a testament to the entire team.”

Olufson knows it’s going to take a team effort to have success against a UMHB team that is 22-4 and was the runner-up in the ASC tournament this season.

“Everyone has to play their game,” Olufson said. “We have to rebound well, be efficient and make good decisions. “And there are things that we do well that we’ll have to do even better in the tournament.”

Still, no matter how things go, just playing in the NCAA tournament again is a big deal, especially after the way last year went where the team had to navigate its way through a shortened year because of the pandemic.

This will be the fourth tournament appearance in program history for the Gorloks.

“We’re excited life is getting a little more back to normal and I couldn’t be happier for the players about this weekend. They are ready to go out and compete and try to make a run,” Olufson said.