TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball heads across town on Tuesday to battle rival University of Puget Sound in the Battle of the South Sound for the first Northwest Conference game of the season.
Over the weekend the Lutes (1-1) defeated Warner Pacific University 78-65 behind solid performances by junior
Emma Janousek with 19 points, and sophomore
Megan Drake with 15 points.
The Lutes are looking to continue this winning form as they play cross-town rivals UPS on Tuesday.
"This group of women is extremely competitive, and we make that known every time we set foot on the court, not only for games, but also for our practices", said Janousek.
"Heading into our first conference game holds a lot of excitement, but also a huge focus on controlling what we do and playing to our full potential. Even though it's probably expected this early in the season, we have not played even near to our best basketball yet, which is frustrating at first until you realize that we have so much untapped potential that we are just around the corner from reaching. That being said we're hungry for our first go with UPS this year."
Janousek is in her junior year and is enjoying life as a Lute.
"My favorite part about the team is the amazing women and coaches that I get to work with every day that bring me so much joy. I truly love them and going to battle with them is such an honor and privilege. I'm so thankful for their support, trust, and friendship, both on and off the court."
Janousek is also really excited for her junior year off the court. She is a biology major and Hispanic studies minor, with future plans on getting her teaching certification and enrolling in a master's program for education so she can teach high school biology and coach girls' basketball.
"I really have just always loved school, which sounds so nerdy, but I just really find joy in learning about the world. Also understanding why things happen and how they connect, and then being able to pass on the new information I get to someone else. Biology is a great field for this. I will come home after class in awe about some of the things that I learned that day, inclined to share them with someone because they just make so much sense."
Even with a busy school and basketball schedule, Janousek finds time to have fun outside of her responsibilities.
"Really if I'm not playing basketball, working out in some way, or studying, I'm spending time with my loved ones. I have such a great support system with my family and boyfriend, who bring so much light to my life. I absolutely love a good laugh, and I can count on them for that anytime. My cheeks will ache from smiling so much after a weekend at home! I truly cherish their company more than they know."
Janousek and the rest of the team have a clear goal set for the season.
"I'm just so ready this year to let our hard work show for itself. Really nobody outside our support circle has much faith in us, and I'm so eager to change that. We have so much trust and love for each other which is very powerful. I have a lot of confidence in what we can do once we iron out the early-season wrinkles."
The team will begin Northwest Conference action this week as they travel across town to play University of Puget Sound on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before facing Linfield College on Friday at 6 p.m.
Nov. 27: PLU vs. Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington (6 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Loggers have met 79 times on the hardwood with UPS enjoying a 55-24 advantage in the all-time series.
About the Loggers: Puget Sound (2-1) heads into league play fresh off an 83-69 victory over Warner Pacific on Friday. Jamie Lange saw her first action of the year against WPU, scoring 18 points and hauling in nine rebounds. Elizabeth Prewitt adds 17.7 ppg while Giavanna Sorn is the third Logger averaging in double figures, chipping in 16.0 ppg along with 7.3 rpg.
Nov. 30: PLU vs. Linfield in McMinnville, Oregon (6 p.m.)
Series History: PLU and Linfield have met 78 times since the 1980-81 season with the Lutes owning a 48-30 edge in the series.
About the Wildcats: Linfield (1-4) dropped the opening four games of the season before rolling Walla Walla University 77-48 on Nov. 18. Molly Danielson leads the Wildcat scoring attack, averaging 22.4 points per game and a team-best 10.6 rebounds per game while Kory Oleson adds 16.8 ppg and a 7.8 rpg.
