2005-06 DSU Lady T's Basketball NAIA Division II Elite Eight/DAC Champion Team
The members of the 2005-06 Dakota State University Lady T's basketball squad will become the 16th team to be inducted into the 26th annual Hall of Fame.
The 2005-06 DSU Lady T's basketball team shared the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) regular-season title and advanced to the NAIA Division II Elite Eight round for the second time in program history. Members of the team include Tricia Boldt, Angela Carr, Stacy Dunklau, Maria Gengler, Nicole Geraets, Angie Gottsleben, Jill Hansen, Steph Kaup, Amber Malvin, Sara Nelson, Laken Nedved, Casey Simpson, Laura Tewes, and VanLoy. They were guided by Head Coach Jeff Dittman and assisted by Judy Dittman, Jenny Brown, and student assistant Matthew Trotter.
Prior to the season, the Lady T's were tabbed to finish second in the DAC behind the near unanimous winner from Jamestown (N.D.). Dakota State was also ranked as No. 16 in the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national rankings, the highest preseason ranking ever prior to this season.
Dakota State started the 2005-06 season with a crushing defeat of in-state rival Sioux Falls (S.D.) by the score of 78-46 at DSU Fieldhouse on Nov. 1, 2005. The Lady T's suffered their first defeat of the season with a 62-41 setback to another in-state rival team, Mount Marty (S.D.) on the road on Nov. 8.
DSU continued its challenging non-conference schedule in the Minot State (N.D.) Classic on Nov. 11-12, playing a pair of NAIA Division I teams. Dakota State dropped the tournament opener against nationally ranked No. 10 Carroll (Mont.) but rebounded to salvage the weekend with a 54-42 win over Rocky Mountain (Mont.).
The Lady T's returned home and fell short in a NAIA Division II Top 20 match-up with No. 17 ranked Northwestern (Iowa) on Nov. 16.
Dakota State started a four-game winning streak with two wins in an NCAA Division III tournament hosted by Presentation College (S.D.). The Lady T's downed Minnesota-Morris 82-59 win on Nov. 18, then followed up with a nail-biting victory over the host-team Saints 63-61 on Nov. 19.
The Lady T's kept rolling with an 84-52 road victory at NCAA Division III Martin Luther (Minn.) before opening the DAC conference schedule with a 61-52 win over No. 8 Jamestown on Dec. 1.
Dakota State stepped outside of their DAC conference play with a slim 79-73 road loss to NCAA Division II Bemidji State (Minn.) on Dec. 4.
DSU returned to conference action with a weekend split, winning at Minot State by the score of 53-34 on Dec. 9 but dropping a 62-49 contest at Dickinson State (N.D.) on Dec. 10.
The Lady T's remained perfect at home in Dakota Athletic Conference play with a pair of routs, rolling past Mayville State (N.D.) 93-57 on Dec. 16 and Valley City State (N.D.) 86-55 on Dec. 17.
After Christmas break, Dakota State captured the TeamMakers tournament title at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. The Lady T's won the opening round with a 74-59 victory over Sioux Falls on Dec. 29 and won the tournament with an 83-58 victory over rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Dec. 30.
Dakota State stretched its winning streak to five games as they kicked off the New Year in 2006 with a 64-58 road victory over No. 15 ranked Black Hills State (S.D.) on Jan. 6. South Dakota Tech halted the Lady T's winning streak the next day by the score of 75-64., finishing the first half of the DAC conference schedule with a 5-2 record.
DSU re-established itself with a five-game winning streak, starting on Jan. 14 with a 66-62 home victory over the University of Mary (N.D.) in a non-conference game (Mary left the DAC conference after the 2004-05 season to transition to NCAA Division II).
The Lady T's continued their winning streak by remaining perfect at home with another weekend sweep, routing Dickinson State 70-42 on Jan. 20 and defeating Minot State 70-58 on Jan. 21. Dakota State recorded another weekend sweep the following weekend, winning at Valley City State 59-44 on Jan. 27 and coming back from 33-19 was a both deficit to beat Mayville State 54-50 on Jan. 28 and inch closer to winning the DAC conference regular-season title.
South Dakota Tech halted Dakota State's five-game winning streak on Feb. 3 by the score of 77-68. It was the first home DAC defeat of the season for the Lady T's. DSU answered with a 78-67 victory over Black Hills State the next night to clinch at least a share of the Dakota Athletic Conference regular-season title. The title was their thirteenth overall conference regular-season championship in program history. Those championships were recorded in the SDIC, the DAC-10 and the DAC conferences.
The victory over Black Hills, coupled with SD Tech's same day loss at Jamestown, also gave the Lady T's the No. 1 seed and home court advantage for the Dakota Athletic Conference postseason tournament. In addition, it was the Dittman's 200th career victory at Dakota State.
DSU closed out their regular-season home schedule with a 68-53 victory over Dordt (Iowa) in a non-conference contest on Feb. 6. The Lady T's concluded their non-conference schedule with a 61-52 setback at Mary on Feb. 10. With 7.7 seconds remaining on the clock, Jamestown nailed a pair of free-throws to defeat Dakota State 65-63 in the DAC regular-season finale on Feb. 16. The loss dropped DSU into a first-place tie for the regular-season title with Minot State with matching 10-4 records.
Top-seeded Dakota State kicked off the Dakota Athletic Conference postseason play by holding off eighth-seeded Valley City State 69-62 on Feb. 21. The Lady T's fell in the DAC semifinals round three days later (Feb. 24), losing to fifth-seed Black Hills State 63-49, finishing DSU's home schedule with an impressive 10-3 record.
DSU had to wait to hear from the NAIA national office to see if they received an at-large invitational to the NAIA Division II National Tournament at Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The Lady T's were ranked No. 18 in the final national poll with an overall record of 20-10, which gave them a slim chance to receive the at-large bid.
Dakota State was the last team invited to the national tournament and was seeded No. 6 in one of the four pods (Quarter 2 bracket). The Lady T's opened the national tournament against third-seeded and No. 10 ranked Shawnee State (Ohio). Shawnee had a 25-7 overall record and eam who had been in the national tournament for many years.
The first game of the NAIA Division II National Tournament kicked off on March 8 between DSU and Shawnee State. The Lady T's ended on top in a close contest, winning 59-55, and advancing to the second round (Sweet Sixteen). The highlight of the game saw 62 rebounds (26 offense) pulled down by DSU.
DSU's next opponent at the NAIA Division II National Tournament was second seed and No. 4 nationally ranked Tabor (Kan.) of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference on March 10. The Lady T's shot nearly 50 percent in the first half for a 39-31 lead and never looked back for a 77-58 victory over the Bluejays, advancing to their second ever Elite Eight round in program history (2000).
Dakota State's season came to an end in the national quarterfinals round (Elite Eight) to eventual national champion Hastings (Neb.) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference on March 11. The Broncos won by the score of 55-41, ending DSU's season with an overall record of 22-11. DSU's 22 victories tied for fifth most overall victories in program history (tied with the 1981-82 squad).
The Lady T's of 2005-06 added a number of accomplishments to the school record book. The squad was listed in 20 different records (career, single season, single game), highlighted by Maria Gengler's single season record of 56 blocked shots. Sara Nelson finished fourth in career blocked shots with 42.
Dakota State racked up 2,179 points during the 2005-06 season, which was the fourth most points in a single season that time.
Jessica VanLoy, who was coming off her season-ending ACL injury in 2004-05 was named to the Dakota Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team, as well as the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball All-America Honorable Mention Team. She led the Lady T's in rebounding, assists, and steals.
Angela Carr was selected as third-team All-Conference, where she finished as the team's leading scorer and was second in assists and steals. She was also one of the top three-point shooters in the league in accuracy and shots made.
Nelson received NAIA Academic All-America honors, maintaining a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
| 2005-06 Dakota State University Lady T's Basketball Schedule |
| Date |
Opponent |
Result/Score |
Location |
| Nov. 1 |
SIOUX FALLS (S.D.) |
W, 78-46 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Nov. 8 |
@ Mount Marty (S.D.) |
L, 41-62 |
Yankton, S.D. |
| Nov. 11 |
vs. (10) Carroll (Mont.) |
L, 62-80 |
Minot, N.D. |
| Nov. 12 |
vs. Rocky Mountain (Mont.) |
W, 54-42 |
Minot, N.D. |
| Nov. 16 |
(17) NORTHWESTERN (IOWA) |
L, 72-81 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Nov. 18 |
vs. Minnesota-Morris # |
W, 82-59 |
Aberdeen, S.D. |
| Nov. 19 |
@ Presentation (S.D.) # |
W, 63-61 |
Aberdeen, S.D. |
| Nov. 22 |
@ Martin Luther (Minn.) |
W, 84-52 |
New Ulm, Minn. |
| Dec. 1 |
(8) JAMESTOWN (N.D.)* |
W, 61-52 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Dec. 4 |
@ Bemidji State (Minn.) |
L, 73-79 |
Bemidji, Minn. |
| Dec. 9 |
@ Minot State (N.D.)* |
W, 53-34 |
Minot, N.D. |
| Dec. 10 |
@ Dickinson State (N.D.)* |
L, 49-62 |
Dickinson, N.D. |
| Dec. 16 |
MAYVILLE STATE (N.D.)* |
W, 93-57 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Dec. 17 |
VALLEY CITY STATE (N.D.)* |
W, 86-55 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Dec. 29 |
vs. Sioux Falls (S.D.) ! |
W, 74-59 |
Mitchell, S.D. |
| Dec. 30 |
@ Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) ! |
W, 83-58 |
Mitchell, S.D. |
| Jan, 6 |
@ (15) Black Hills State (S.D.)* |
W, 64-58 |
Spearfish, S.D. |
| Jan. 7 |
@ (21) South Dakota Tech* |
L, 64-75 |
Rapid City, S.D. |
| Jan. 14 |
MARY (N.D.) |
W, 66-62 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Jan. 20 |
DICKINSON STATE (N.D.)* |
W, 70-42 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Jan. 21 |
MINOT STATE (N.D.)* |
W, 70-58 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Jan. 27 |
@ Valley City State (N.D.)* |
W, 59-44 |
Valley City, N.D. |
| Jan. 28 |
@ Mayville State (N.D.)* |
W, 54-50 |
Mayville, N.D. |
| Feb. 3 |
SOUTH DAKOTA TECH* |
L, 68-77 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Feb. 4 |
BLACK HILLS STATE (S.D.)* |
W, 78-67 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Feb. 6 |
DORDT (IOWA) |
W, 68-53 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Feb. 10 |
@ Mary (N.D.) |
L, 52-61 |
Bismarck, N.D. |
| Feb. 16 |
@ Jamestown (N.D.)* |
L, 63-65 |
Jamestown, N.D. |
| Feb. 21 |
(8 seed) VALLEY CITY STATE (N.D.) & |
W, 69-62 |
Madison, S.D. |
| Feb. 24 |
(5 seed) BLACK HILLS STATE (N.D.) & |
L, 49-63 |
Madison, S.D. |
| March 8 |
vs. (10) Shawnee State (Ohio) % |
W, 59-55 |
Sioux City, Iowa |
| March 10 |
vs. (4) Tabor (Kan.) % |
W, 77-58 |
Sioux City, Iowa |
| March 11 |
vs. (3) Hastings (Neb.) % |
L, 41-55 |
Sioux City, Iowa |
|
*Denotes Dakota Athletic Conference Conference game
$ Minot State (N.D.) Classic
# Presentation (S.D.) Tournament
! Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) Innovative Systems/TeamMakers Tournament
& Dakota Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament
(higher seed host - DSU No. 1 seed)
% NAIA Division II National Tournament - Sioux City, Iowa (No. 6 seed in Quad 2)
|
Joe Backus - Men's Basketball
Joe Backus came to the Dakota State University men's basketball program after a successful high school career at Chester Area High School. He was one of the first recipients of the Seizing South Dakota Boys' Basketball scholarship. This program was intended to bring South Dakota athletes to Dakota State to continue their athletic careers in the men's basketball program. The Seizing South Dakota scholarship started while Tim Schuring was head basketball coach (2001-05).
Backus still holds several all-time men's basketball records at DSU. He came to Dakota State University in 2004-05 and helped the Trojans finish second in the Dakota Athletic Conference regular-season standings with their program best 12-6 record.
DSU's season came to an end in the DAC postseason tournament semifinals with a heartbreaking home loss to Mayville State (N.D.) 77-76, ending the Trojans bid to the NAIA Men's Basketball Division II National Tournament.
Backus finished that season with 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game for the Trojans. He shot 59.4 percent from the field (57-of-96 field goals) and registered 12 blocks.
In his sophomore season (2005-06), Joe increased his scoring average to 12.2 points per game for Dakota State. Backus led the team with 173 rebounds (6.0 rebounds per game) and 17 blocked shots. As a result, he was selected to the DAC Men's Basketball Third Team All-Conference squad.
Backus poured in 574 points and racked up 223 rebounds in the 2006-07 season. His 574 points ranked ninth most in single season points in the DSU men's basketball record book. He led both the DSU team and the Dakota Athletic Conference in scoring (19.8 points per game) and rebounding (7.7 rebounds per game). He finished sixth in the record books for single season free throws (142 free-throws) and fourth overall for single game free throws with 14 free throws versus Dana (Neb.) on Nov. 3, 2006.
He landed on the DAC All-Conference First Team and was listed on the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball All-America Honorable Mention Team in 2006-07. The Dakota State University Athletics Department voted Joe the Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.
Backus wrapped up his stellar four-year career at DSU in 2007-08 when he averaged 16.8 points per game (486 total points). He led the DAC conference with 7.7 rebounds per game (222 total rebounds). He was voted as the Most Valuable Senior by the league's head coaches and was named First Team All-Conference for the second straight year. He was also named to the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball All-America Honorable Mention.
Overall, Backus was a three-time DAC Men's Basketball All-Conference selection (Third Team and First Team twice). Additionally, he was a two-time NAIA Division II Men's Basketball All-America Honorable Mention recipient.
Backus finished his career with 1,564 points, 680 rebounds, and 62 blocks at Dakota State. He is seventh all-time in scoring, third all-time in rebounding, and third all-time in blocks. Backus was 596-of-1150 from the field for a 51.8 career field goal percentage accuracy. His 596 field goals rank seventh all-time in Trojan men's basketball program history. He also made 354 free throws, ranking him fifth all-time.
Joe and his wife Jayna (Ackerman, who was a former Trojan softball player for three seasons) have two children, Boston (5 years old) and Brystal (3 years old). They are expecting their third child in June or July. They enjoy all activities that go along with a growing family. Joe is the manager at Piedmont Plastics in Sioux Falls.
Brian Kern - Contributor
Brian Kern, a successful Madison businessman, will be recognized as a contributor in the Hall of Fame, after making numerous donations and providing support to the Dakota State Athletic program. In 2014, he donated $50,000 to the DSU Athletics Department for upgrades to the athletic weight room. Brian's goal for this gift was to benefit all DSU athletes by making a significant impact in the quality of workouts that can be provided, both in- and out-of-season.
Additionally, DSU hired a strength and conditioning coach during the summer 2014 who assisted with the development of in- and out-of-season workouts for all sports teams. The combination of improved facilities and a full-time strength and conditioning coach continues to benefit the 471 student-athletes at Dakota State today.
Recently, Kern announced the donation of $5 million to Trojan athletics for the new athletics facility. His gift is the largest ever received from within the Madison community. His generosity secured the necessary funding for the completion of the football stadium, which will feature the field named for former coach George Blankley.
"Brian has been a long-time supporter of the athletes at Dakota State. He was the person who helped us develop our current weight room that benefits every athlete at DSU and has helped us become a North Star Conference power. We are very thankful for all he has done for us. Brian continues to be a transformational supporter of Dakota State Athletics," said DSU Athletics Director Jeff Dittman.
Kern continues to inspire others through his support at Dakota State and has a history of supporting football at DSU. He and his brother Dan established the Leslie Grayson Kern Memorial Endowed Scholarship, in memory of his wife Leslie Grayson Kern, who lost her battle to cervical cancer in September of 1997. The scholarship is awarded to DSU student-athletes, with preference given to football players.
Brian played football at DSU in 1986 and 1987 under head coach Larry Traetow. As a linebacker for the Trojans, he showed the determination and drive that has made him a successful businessman.
This most recent donation from Kern will help fund the multi-phase athletics complex for Dakota State. DSU received legislative approval to build Phase I, composed of a new athletics events center, football stadium and track and soccer complex. On May 2, ground was broken for the start of this construction. Kern's donation will also continue to provide resources for scholarships annually, and to the Leslie Grayson Kern Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Kern stated that the new events center will bring more students to Dakota State University, more commerce to town, and provide top-notch facilities that high school athletics will use.
The events center will include team locker rooms, coaches' offices, training facilities, a weight room, an esports arena, indoor gathering spaces, a biomechanics lab and classrooms, hospitality and concession spaces, VIP suites, Athletics Hall of Fame spaces, and restrooms.
That passion for Dakota State Athletics has Kern excited for the athletics events center to come to fruition. "It's going to be a facility and field that rivals any in the state and beyond," stated Kern.
Kern, the owner and president of Rosebud Wood Products, is also a local developer, expanding Madison's Lake Area Townhomes in 2020 with a 21-unit building. He is also a hotelier and a developer of the Best Western GLÅ at Dawley Farm Village in Sioux Falls in 2020. That year he was also named the Developer of the Year by Best Western Hotels.
Carla Sudenga - Contributor
Dakota State University Athletics will be inducting their first ever senior secretary into the Athletics Hall of Fame
Carla Sudenga was a senior secretary at Dakota State for 36 years, with 34 years working in the Athletics Department. She began her career at DSU in 1986 in the Registrar's Office. One year later, she moved to Athletics and stayed there for three years before leaving to work at Farm Credit Services.
Sudenga returned in 1988 and worked with athletics until 2003. She moved to the Business Office for one year before returning and spending her last 15 years in the Athletics' office, retiring in spring 2020.
Over the years, Sudenga worked with over 5,000 athletes and coaches, overseeing athletic eligibility, purchasing equipment, coordinating bus and van travel, contracting officials, and being a friend to everyone. Sudenga worked with six different athletic directors at Dakota State during her 34-year tenure.
She was a three-time Terry Ryan Distinguished Service Award recipient in 2010, 2017, and 2020. This award is given to those people who go above and beyond to help DSU Athletics. In her years with Dakota State, she has served on various committees including: DSU Golf Classic, Barn Dance, Dakota Jam, Parking, Caring, Athletic Hall of Fame, Institutional Effectiveness, Title IX, and numerous Search and Screens.
She also served as president of the Career Service Association (CSA) on campus and was a member of the Campus Community Emergency Response Team in 2004.
The Trojan Athletics Club fans also know that Sudenga is the chef who prepared the great food at the VIP Suite for home athletic events in football, as well as the hospitality room for all volleyball and basketball games.
Not only did she work at the Dakota State Athletics department, Sudenga had been actively involved with the community of Madison, working on election boards for local elections, and managing the Baughman's concession stand for softball for eight years during the summers, and managing and running the Field of Dream baseball concession stand for the past three years.
Sudenga keeps busy with her family, sons Mike (Becky), Matt (Stephanie), and the late Mark Sudenga and daughter-in-law Laura Sudenga. She attends various activities with her six grandchildren, Sean, Sophia, Emma, Danny, Tristian, and Ella.
Now that she has retired, she can often be found in her flower garden, planting something new and taking care of those special plants already there. She also loves watching the birds that frequently visit her yard. She has also worked part time at Lewis Drug for the past 11 years, mostly in the garden shop.
Dr. Jerald Tunheim - Contributor
Dr. Jerald Tunheim was appointed as the 20th President of Dakota State University in 1987. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Oklahoma State and prior coming to Dakota State, he was an administrator and professor of physics at South Dakota State University, and a dean at Eastern Washington University. Tunehim served as Dakota State's President for 17 years before retiring in 2004 after more than 35 years serving for the state of South Dakota. He is listed in Who's Who in America Educations, American Men and Women of Science, and Oxford's Who's Who.
Tunheim became President at Dakota State shortly after the 1984 mission change to include computer and information systems technology, and he faced numerous challenges with enrollment, financial crises, accreditation issues, curriculum development, technology infrastructure, and more.
Because of Tunheim's work in the early years after the mission change, much of the credit for the university's successful transformation can be traced to his leadership. The university focused on technology or computer integrated instruction in all academic areas and saw dramatic growth in their student enrollment.
During his tenure as Dakota State's president, the word 'College' was changed 'University'. Dakota State University also saw a 236 percent increase in enrollment, to a total of 2,263 students in 2003 (compared to 970 students when he began presidency in 1987). The number of declared computer majors also grew from 109 to 973 students.
Computer-related majors accounted for about one-half of Dakota State's degree-seeking students, a rate approximated nationally only by the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Dakota State was credited with the diversification of programs and degrees to all offering students the latest in technical innovations in business, industry, health services, education, and science-related professions.
Other achievements during Tunheim's presidency at Dakota State included becoming one of the most wired campuses in the nation.
There were more accomplishments added to Tunheim's list during his presidency at Dakota State University. The physical facilities on campus were vastly improved by the constructions of new buildings, the refurbishing of old buildings, and by the overall improvement in the physical appearance of the campus.
Tunheim helped grow the athletic programs after the mission change as well. DSU had numerous achievements, with conference titles and national tournament appearances. In men's basketball, the Trojans won seven consecutive playoff games in a row and made to the NAIA Division II National Tournament's Final Four, guided by head coach Brian McDermott.
Head coach Buzz Stevenson guided the Trojan men's and women's cross country and track & field to numbers of conference team titles. The Lady T's basketball took conference championships in 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2001. DSU appeared in the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Tournament's Elite Eight in 2000, led by Jeff Dittman. The Trojan baseball team also advanced to the NAIA's Super Regionals by the end of the 2002-03 academic year.
Tunheim has been an outstanding scholarship supporter of Dakota State University athletes, establishing the Nancy and Dr. Jerald A. Tunheim Endowed Scholarship and the Tunheim and Friends Garden Co-op Endowed Scholarship which is given to athletes with financial need and DSU women's basketball athletes, respectively.
Jessica VanLoy - Women's Basketball
Jessica VanLoy was a dual-sport athlete at Dakota State University, playing basketball and softball for the Trojans. From Wabasso, Minn., she came to DSU for the 2004-05 season with the Lady T's basketball team. Her season suddenly came to a halt where she suffered a season-ending ACL injury at Valley City State (N.D.). She started in 20 games and averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.1 steals per game for DSU.
VanLoy returned to full strength the following season in, paving the way for the Lady T's with a co-Dakota Athletic Conference regular-season title with Minot State (N.D.) with 10-4 record. Despite a setback in the conference postseason tournament's semifinals, Dakota State made a run at the national tournament and advanced to the NAIA Elite Eight round (national quarterfinals) for the second time in program history, ending the season with a defeat to eventual national champion Hastings (Neb.).
VanLoy was selected to the DAC All-Conference Second Team as well as the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball All-America Honorable Mention team for the Lady T's. She led the team in assists with 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game. She also averaged 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as DSU went 22-11 overall on the season.
The Lady T's rolled to their second straight DAC regular-season title in 2006-07 with a 10-4 record after facing a challenging non-conference schedule. The highlight of the season came when DSU opened the season with an 82-78 victory over defending NAIA Division II national champion Hastings (Neb.) in the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Classic.
VanLoy was one of the integral members of the Lady T's basketball team that swept the regular-season and tournament postseason titles in 2006-07 before falling to Taylor (Ind.) in the opening round of the national tournament. DSU finished that season with an overall record of 21-11.
The DAC head coaches selected VanLoy as First Team All-Conference, and she was listed on the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball All-America Honorable Mention for the second straight year. She led the team with 3.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game for the Lady T's. She averaged 9.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
VanLoy wrapped up her stellar women's basketball career by being selected to Dakota Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Most Valuable Senior, DAC First Team All-Conference, and NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Second Team All-America. The Lady T's earned their three-peat DAC regular-season title with an 11-3 record.
After defeating Ohio Dominican in the opening round, Dakota State's season came to an end with a 70-67 defeat to Bethel (Tenn.) in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2008 NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Tournament and finished with an overall record of 21-11.
VanLoy led the 2007-08 Lady T's squad with 13.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
She finished her four-year career with 1,162 points, 723 rebounds, 494 assists, and 305 steals. VanLoy is listed in numerous records in the DSU women's basketball record book, where her 305 all-time steals a school record today. She is also second in the all-time assists, fifth-all time in rebounds, and 11th all-time in scoring.
She is listed three times in the 'Top 10' for single season assists, dishing the second-most with 158 assists in 2007-08. VanLoy is listed with ninth-most assists with 127 in 2005-06 and 126 in 2006-07. She is third in single season steals with 100 steals in 2006-07.
VanLoy played her first season with the Trojan softball team in the spring 2006, fueling a 20-26 overall record. She batted .315 on the season (23-of-73 at the plate) with 21 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .425.
VanLoy added DAC Softball Second Team All-Conference honor in the spring 2007, leading the team with .326 batting average and a slugging percentage of .609. She was 30-of-92 at the plate with nine doubles, four triples, and smashed three home runs after leading DSU to a 19-24 overall record.
VanLoy, who played mostly center field, wrapped her athletic career in spring 2008 in softball where she batted .294. She finished with a career batting average of .311 (83-of-267 at-bats), 19 doubles, 9 triples, and 7 home runs. She drove in 49 runs and registered a slugging percentage of .528. Her nine triples are still an all-time school record in total triples with four other players.
The Dakota State University Athletics Department voted VanLoy as the Most Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year in 2008.
Overall, she fueled the Lady T's to three consecutive DAC Women's Basketball regular-season titles, a postseason tournament title, and advanced to the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Tournament for three consecutive years. She was a three-time NAIA Division II Women's Basketball All-America (Honorable Mention twice, Second Team), three-time DAC All-Conference selection in women's basketball and Second Team All-Conference in softball.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in exercise science at Dakota State in 2008, VanLoy went to Hastings as a graduate assistant coach for one season. She then went to Iowa Lakes Community College to complete her graduate studies and served as an assistant softball coach and housing director/assistant.
VanLoy received her master's degree in educational leadership and policy studies in higher education from Iowa State University in May 2011.
VanLoy returned to Dakota State for the 2011-12 academic year to become the assistant volleyball and softball coach. She then took the head softball coaching job at Iowa Lakes Community College later that season.
She moved to central Minnesota to be closer to her family and started her career with the Department of Corrections, where she is currently employed. She has three dogs with her wife Jessica Hinnenkamp, and they like to spend time outdoors as much as possible, hiking, kayaking, biking, gloving, and traveling. They currently live in Rice, Minn.
