The 2022-23 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) women's basketball season has all three teams competing for a conference championship. In addition, they will also play corresponding games in the NIAC (Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) this year.
The Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers seek to defend their MCAC championship won in 2021-22 and capture a fifth consecutive title. The other two MCAC women's basketball teams will battle for the conference title on the hardwood court during this upcoming season.
Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers
Head coach: Joe Di Curzio, 9th year
Keys for the team:
Key Additions: Zia Dacara (wing player from St James Collegiate), Grace McKay, (guard from Oak Park Collegiate)
Key Returnee: Shirliz Apiyo (guard from Fort Richmond Collegiate), Anna Pyne, (guard from Jean Sauve)
Key Losses: Julia Shatkowsky and Annika Goodbrandson (both playing at University of Winnipeg), Maizy Lawson (from JH Bruns) - all three were starters last year
Number of total team members to start the season: 12
Record and MCAC championship history:
2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 12-0; 1st place in regular season in MCAC standings; MCAC Champions (won championship final over PUC)
Last MCAC championship: 2021-22
Total MCAC championships (since 1999-2000): 7 (2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22)
Season Preview with head coach comments:
- How was the off-season for your team "The off-season was filled with a lot of injuries plus a lot of players were able to transfer and play at USPORTS schools."
- What games does the coach look forward to most "We are looking for the very tough competitive games."
- What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "We look forward to all of our games and there have been so many changes in player personnel in our team and other teams it should be very interesting."
- What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "We are expecting a very competitive league."
- What are the challenges they expect with the season "Staying away from injuries seems one of the toughest challenges this year."
- What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "We are expecting to improve every game and hopefully we are playing our best at the end of the year."
- Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why Anna Pyne – "Anna is an outstanding floor leader with excellent court vision plus she is a terrific shooter."
- Who is your team captains this year Anna Pyne and Shirliz Apiyo
- A comment/quote from team captain "We are looking forward to accomplishing all of our goals this year and capturing another MCAC championship. We also looking forward to achieving great success in the classroom and on the court." – Anna Pyne
- A comment/quote from the head coach "We are really excited about our team this year. We are very happy with the amount of work our athletes put in during the off-season and this should pay off great dividends on the court."
Providence University College (PUC) Pilots
Head coach: Joel Coursey, 11th year
Keys for the team:
Key Additions: Claire Grislis, Amver Navarro, Emma Wiebe, Raiza Manlulu, Alex Patterson, Jazmine Horwood, Jackie Penner, Rachel Neufeld
Key Returnee: Trinity Blair, Megan Wiebe, Anna Cushon, Abby Matuszewski, Kishi Rioferio, Makenna Van Muyen, Kate Hanson
Key Losses: Natalya Reimer
Number of total team members to start the season: 15
Record and MCAC championship history:
2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 5-6; 2nd place in regular season in MCAC standings; MCAC Finalist (lost championship final vs. CMU)
Last MCAC championship: 2005-06
Total MCAC championships (since 1999-2000): 6 (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06)
Season Preview with head coach comments:
- How was the off-season for your team "We had a great off-season adding eight players and returning seven. We practiced a number of times and look to have improved on last season."
- What games does the coach look forward to most "Most looking forward to the championship weekend."
- What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "November 19. Our home opener and alumni appreciation day."
- What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "I expect CMU to be a challenge as usual and USB to have grown heading into their second season."
- What are the challenges they expect with the season "The main challenge faced this season, is the number of teams in our conference. Red River's absence from the MCAC has a deep impact on our league, especially in the sport of basketball. It's a grind playing two teams over and over again. I hope there is more parody among the three teams this year. Fortunately, Providence has a full schedule against teams across the USA, that will provide games against different teams on a regular basis."
- What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "Our goal is to win an MCAC championship. My expectation is that we work hard this season, each and every game."
- Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why Anna Cushon – "She has USPORTS size and a lot of potential, when the game clicks for her, she can become a game changer."
- Who is your team captains this year Trinity Blair (point guard)
- A comment/quote from team captain "Our team is really looking forward to playing in the MCAC this year. We're excited to see how our new style of play will compete against the other teams. We've been working hard during the preseason and can't wait to start playing." – Trinity Blair
- A comment/quote from the head coach "It's exciting getting back into the gym. We are looking forward to playing in front of full crowds and experiencing sports at their fullest once again. We are really excited about our full travel schedule playing in the NIAC and nationally in the NCCAA. We have eight USA road trips this season and will travel as far as Kansas City and Dubuque, IA in conference play this semester. Our robust travel schedule is what sets us apart from our competition and makes us such an attractive program to play for. My hope is that there is less gaps between MCAC opponents this season. Last season was hard on all three teams. All in all, we are in a great place and couldn't be more excited about Providence Pilots basketball!."
Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) Les Rouges
Head coach: Christian Mouné (2 years coach), Annick Svistovski
Keys for the team:
Key Additions: Gabrielle Boyd, Cassie Schmidt, Annika Moïns, Miatta Dukuly, Annika Laurin
Key Returnee: the entire team
Key Losses: N/A
Number of total team members to start the season: 16
Record and MCAC championship history:
2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 0-11; 3rd place in regular season in MCAC standings; MCAC Semi-Finalist (lost championship semi-final vs. PUC)
Last MCAC championship: none – second season in MCAC
Total MCAC championships (since 2000-01): none – second season in MCAC
Season Preview with head coach comments:
- How was the off-season for your team "Full of frustration for the players and some of them worked hard on their games."
- What games does the coach look forward to most "All the games will be very challenging."
- What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "All the games will be very challenging."
- What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "I expect the League to be very hard for us this season again but with us getting better at the same time."
- What are the challenges they expect with the season "Getting used to play at this level, the physicality, the efforts, staying focused and motivated."
- What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "Improving every game and playing good basketball."
- Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why "All the players."
- Who is your team captains this year Jade Costa and Gabrielle Boyd
- A comment/quote from the head coach "We're looking forward to a new season. It's another important step for our young program. Getting the team to compete and understand this level. Big challenge but we're up for it."