Season Preview: 2021-22 Women’s Basketball

MILLIGAN UNIVERSITY, Tenn. (October 28, 2021) – The Milligan University women's basketball team enters the 2021-22 season looking to take another step forward in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings under second-year head coach Kylie Russell Greer.

Visual Preview | Preseason Interview: Coach Kylie Russell Greer

The Buffs begin their season at the Rio Grande's RedStorm Classic in Ohio this weekend.

2020-21 Season Review: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 14 AAC schools that competed last season between 14 and 22 conference games. Milligan went 8-11 in nineteen league contests to finish ninth in terms of winning percentage in the AAC standings. The Buffs fell in the first round of the AAC Tournament at eighth-seeded CIU, 93-78.

"Due to injuries and constant changes with covid we played a lot of young players' last season," said Greer. "It was challenging in the moment, but it increased our maturity and bench depth significantly. I know the challenges from last season are going to pay off for us this year."

The Buffs' regular season was highlighted by AAC wins over Point, a season sweep of Brenau and a victory over Tennessee Wesleyan.

The Buffs were one of the most prolific three-point shooting teams in the AAC last season, ranking third in three-point makes per game (6.9). Milligan also ranked third in the AAC with 13.7 free throw makes per game.

Milligan bid farewell to three 2021 graduates in guards Teal Davis, Bailey Berry and forward Cali Weddle.

Key Returners: The Buffs return their four leading scorers and seven players who averaged double-digit minutes last winter.

"I am so excited about who we have returning to the court this season," said Greer. "We have an outstanding mix of experienced upperclassmen with blossoming young talent."

Sophomore forward Jaycie Jenkins returns after an standout debut season for the Buffs in 2020-21. The Gray, Tenn. product captured AAC Freshman of the Year honors, along with All-AAC First Team and AAC All-Freshman Team laurels after averaging 17.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Jenkins led the conference in free throws made (122) and offensive rebounds (82). She ranked fourth in points per game and free throw percentage (83.0 percent), sixth in rebounding, 10th in field goal percentage (48.1 percent) and 11th in blocks (15). In the Buffs' AAC Tournament matchup with CIU, Jenkins poured in 34 points and snagged 17 rebounds.

"Jaycie was outright one of the best players in the conference last season," said Greer. "She has already improved her game in multiple ways. It will be exciting to see how she leads and makes the people around her better."

Senior guard Lily Griffith returns as Milligan's second-leading scorer after averaging 10.0 points per game last winter. She ranked 12th in the AAC with 51 assists and led Milligan with 2.1 assists per game. Griffith had the second-highest free throw percentage in the AAC among qualifiers at 84.0 percent at over three attempts per game. She posted 13 double-digit scoring outings last year, including four games of 20 points or more.

"Lily is a great leader, encourager, and teammate," said Greer. "The energy and effort she brings to each game and each practice is remarkable. It will be fun to see her continue to contribute at a high level."

Senior forward Halie Padgett is just two years removed from starting 29 games and averaging 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 2019-20. In 19 games last year, Padgett averaged 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds and scored in double-figures three times.

"Halie is healthy for her senior year, and looks better than ever," said Greer. "We are excited to see her excel as she finishes her career at Milligan."

Senior guard Malarie Tallent led Milligan with 1.6 three-point makes per game at 26.9 percent in 2020-21. She had six games where she knocked down three or more three-pointers and ranked 14th in the AAC in three-pointers made. Tallent averaged 7.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in nearly 20 minutes of action per night. She scored a season-high 15 points against Union last December.

Junior guard Kaylee Hendrickson found her footing in the second semester of the 2020-21 season as she averaged over 20 minutes per game in January and February. Over half of her made field goals last season were three-pointers as Hendrickson chipped in 2.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Sophomore forward Erin Larkin averaged 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in nearly 14 minutes per game in her freshman season last winter. A three-point threat, Larkin shot 31.5 percent from deep and had three games in which she scored in double figures.

Junior forward Stacia Wilson contributed 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds off the bench for the Buffs last season.

Sophomore guard Madi Runnels played double-digit minutes in 11 games and appeared in 24 games total as a freshman. She recorded 2.2 points and 2.3 rebounds last season.

Junior guards Kayla Romines saw her role expand over the second half of last year and she ultimately started in the Buffs' AAC Tournament game at CIU. She averaged double-digit minutes over the final two months of the season and averaged nearly three points per game during that stretch.

Junior guard Shayla Stewart appeared in 16 games last season. In seven January games, she averaged 3.0 points and 14 minutes.

Newcomers: Milligan women's basketball welcomes six newcomers, three freshmen and three transfers, into the mix for 2021-22

Kristy Galea and Lauren Longmire are expected to make an impact for the 21-22 season.

Junior guard Kristy Galea joins the Buffs from NCAA Division II Alderson Broaddus. The Malta native averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and helped the Battlers qualify for the Mountain East Conference Tournament for the first time in program history. Additionally, Lauren Longmire comes off an All-State Senior season and multiple trips to the State Tournament at Grainger County Highschool.

Looking at the Schedule: The Milligan women's basketball team is set to play a 30-game schedule with home-and-home series with the other 14 AAC women's basketball teams and an exhibition against NCAA Division II Alabama Huntsville (Nov. 29).

Milligan opens its season at the RedStorm Classic with games against host Rio Grande and Indiana East on Oct. 29-30. The Buffs head to Alice Lloyd on Nov. 2 for their final tune-up before AAC play begins at Montreat on Nov. 6.

Steve Lacy Fieldhouse will be the site for four home games in November, one in December, five in January and two in February.

"Being part of the AAC means conference games start quick," said Greer. "Therefore, we are excited to play these first 3 non-conference games to get the season started and see where we match up at the national level.

The AAC Women's Basketball Tournament features the top 10 teams in the AAC standings with two play-in games at home sites with the quarterfinals and beyond played Feb. 23-26 at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport.

The AAC has three automatic bids to the NAIA National Championship Tournament that are awarded to the regular season champion, regular season runner-up and tournament champion. If the regular season champion or runner-up also takes home the tournament title, the third-place regular season finish would receive the third berth.

Last Word: "After many challenges last season we are stronger and better," said Greer. "We want to be one of the top three teams in the conference, as always. Beyond wins and losses, we looking forward to playing the game we love in front of our friends, family, and fans. We are grateful for the continued support of Buff Nation."