Concordia finishes at the top of MIAC Women’s Basketball standings
The Cobbers women’s basketball team just finished off a sensational season and playoff run, thanks in part to two freshmen from Hancock, Kaitlyn and Karleigh Rohloff. With the Rohloff twins, Concordia made a run to the Elite Eight in the Division III National Tournament.
Before the MIAC Tournament, Concordia finished the regular season 22-3 overall and 16-2 in the conference to earn the top seed in the MIAC Tournament. Concordia then beat Saint Mary’s in the first round and lost to Bethel for the third time this season in the championship game.
The Cobbers received an invite to the Division III Women’s Basketball Championship and Concordia went on a run. They beat Wisconsin-Superior in the first round and took down Ripon the following day to advance to the Sweet Sixteen a week later. The run was not over as they took down Johns Hopkins to advance to the Elite Eight where they fell to Scranton, who lost in the championship game, to end their season. “I don’t think anyone had the expectation of us making it to the Elite Eight this year, but when you have a team and a coaching staff that works that hard and invest so much in each other, it’s kind of hard to not have a successful season,” Kaitlyn Rohloff said. “It’s been an amazing experience being part of such a competitive team and continuing to learn and grow every day,” Karleigh Rohloff added.
Both Rohloffs came into the Cobber program knowing it was a competitive season and were eager to contribute in any way they could during their freshman season. The Cobbers lost two key contributors from a season ago, but added 10 new faces to the roster this season, including the Rohloffs, which created real competition every day. “Our team has so much talent, so it was so much fun being a part of a team where every practice felt like we were competing with each other,” Kaitlyn Rohloff said. “And then when game time came, it just made us that much better of players and competitors.”
As sisters on the same team, family is a big part of the Rohloffs’ lives and the Cobber program helps them feel right at home. “I’d say it’s been such a great fit for both of us. It’s really special being part of a team and program that feels like family. Coming from a small, close-knit community, Concordia has truly felt like home,” Karleigh Rohloff said. “You can really see how much the coaches and everyone around you care and want the absolute best for you.”
Kaitlyn played in all 31 games for the Cobbers, coming off the bench and averaging just over 14 minutes per game. She scored 166 points this season with 58 rebounds, 54 assists and 23 steals while shooting 45 percent from three-point land, which was second on the team.
Karleigh got onto the floor in five games this season and scored 13 points this season with 14 rebounds, six assists and four steals.
With three more years of eligibility, the Rohloffs are prepared to continue their Cobber career and have an even bigger impact next season. Both Rohloffs are not satisfied with one deep run in the NCAA tournament and are looking forward to running it back with Concordia next season in their sophomore season.
