- DMACC returns seven sophomores from its 2024-25 team
- Four of the seven sophomores have starting experience
- Bears will rely on quickness and shooting
Minnesota West Community and Technical College (MWCTC) will provide the opposition when the DMACC women's basketball team begins the 2025-26 season November 2 at Worthington, Minn.
Jocelyn Kovarik, beginning her fourth season as the women's basketball head coach, welcomes seven sophomore returnees from last season's team that compiled a 21-10 record, including a 12-6 record in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC).
Kovarik said one of her goals to begin the season is to improve quickness and defense and that she has seen that in preseason scrimmage games.
"We got what we wanted out of that," Kovarik said. "We don't know for sure yet who will be our starters but there are some freshmen in the mix. It could be one of those things where it changes from game to game due to the situations.
Kovarik does have seven sophomores back from last season, including five who have starting experience. The returnees include guard Aunasia Dunn of Kansas City, Mo., center Aniston Clayton of Waukee, guard Whitney Jensen of Remsen, guard Chloe Costello of Northwood, forward Reagan Wheeler of Cedar Falls, center Breeley Clayburg of Coon Rapids and center Missy Evezic of Council Bluffs. Jensen got 26 starts last season, Clayburg started 20 games, Evezic had 11 starts and Costello received seven starts. Dunn didn't start any of the Bears' 31 games but appeared in all of them and had the inside track to starting at that position this season before suffering a concussion so she will miss the opener.
Incoming freshmen Jordan Valley and Brooklyn Valley, both of Waverly, are vying to start in Dunn's place.
"Jordan is more of a point guard and Brooklyn is more of an off guard but they can both shift to either position," Kovarik said. "Both are crazy quick and would full court press the whole game if you would let them. There's a lot of energy in those two."
Freshman Jaxy Knight of Tingley is also getting a look at guard as are Costello and Jensen.
"We are expecting a ton of out (Costello and Jensen) this season," Kovarik said. "Chloe is a knock-down three-point shooter and she has only gotten better over the summer. She can also drive up and through that contact in the paint so she's more of a dual threat.
"Jensen is on top of it. She's pretty much a dual threat because she can shoot that outside shot but one of her biggest things is she can get to the inside. She can keep that ball movement going."
Freshman Jalyn Beran of Riceville, whose sister Joy, was a two-year starter for DMACC before using up her eligibility last season, is being looked at in kind of a guard/forward role.
"She can do that," Kovarik said. "She knows the game really well and we appreciate her flexibility."
Kovarik said freshman Abriya Watkins of Omaha is also being considered at guard, adding that she is athletic and has the ability to get to the rim.
Other forward candidates include Clayburg and freshman Alivia Carr of Bettendorf.
"Clayburg is strong and has to be one of the best offensive rebounders we've ever had," Kovarik said. "We want to average 15 offensive rebounds a game and she will be a big part of that. Carr has amazing footwork around the rim and she loves to shoot the three."
Wheeler, who also plays volleyball for DMACC, will miss the early part of the basketball season and will join the team when volleyball officially ends.
Kovarik likes her team's speed and its ability to shoot.
"Our speed is going to be a huge strength for us and none of the girls are afraid to shoot," Kovarik said. "We'll be able to put up points quick, but are we putting up those shots at the right time? We'll have to try to find a nice balance with that."
Kovarik said her main concern is making sure the shot selection is what it should be.
"Our guards are crazy quick and we've got some inside players who can run too, but we have to make sure they can get rim to rim as our guards come down the court," Kovarik said. "We've had a few injuries and that is always a concern, but so far we've been remained fairly healthy."
Kovarik has enough confidence in her freshmen that she won't be afraid to inset them into the game whenever the need arises.
"I think we have a really great bench and that is something we've really kept an eye on," Kovarik said, adding that she has experimented in scrimmage games with how deep she can go.
"I think we have some great options and sometimes it might be a substitution situation where our emphasis is defense," Kovarik said. "They may not be the highest scoring group that we have in there but if they can get a few stops in a row that will be a great thing."
DMACC begins the season ranked 25th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll and is pegged for third place in the ICCAC.
"I always appreciate being ranked, but you're in spot 25 and you can drop out or move up anytime," Kovarik said. "We'll see how it goes, but we always appreciate the ranking."
Following its game with WMCTC, DMACC will play a road game against Black Hawk-Moline College (BHC) before opening the home season against Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) Nov. 6 inside the DMACC gymnasium