The women's basketball team has been on a roller coaster ride this season. We can only hope that they are preparing another climb up the MIAC standings.

The women have had emotional and inspiring winning streaks followed by disappointing outcomes in some key games. Despite the thrill ride that the team has been on this season, they were still in the playoff picture at 7-10 (9-11 overall) heading into their match up with the Blazers of College of Saint Benedict last week.

The team entered the game riding an impressive three game winning streak, but the Blazers proved to be too powerful on offense for the Oles. The Blazers shot an astounding 70% from behind the arc on 9-13 shooting, and an overall field-goal percentage of 52%. The Blazers played aggressive stingy defense which never allowed the Oles to get comfortable in their offensive set, shooting a mere 24% from the field.

Sophomore Sara Erickson led the women with nine points and Amanda Renneke added seven for the Oles, while Lori Enlund led the way on the boards with eight. A valiant effort by the women proved to be too little as the Blazers cruised to an 80-46 victory. On Saturday the girls traveled to the University of St. Thomas in need of a win, as the number of remaining games had shrunk to four. That win did not come against the Tommies who are now tied at 15-2 for the lead in the MIAC. Enlund described them as "a very strong and aggressive team."

The Oles handled the Tommies full court pressure well and shot 42% from the field, with Renneke leading the way with nine points and senior Elisa Hatlevig adding seven. In the end the Tommies up tempo game proved to be just to much as the women fell to the Tommies 85-51.

So what will it take to get back on the winning side? Lori Enlund believes that "we need to put the whole package together, offense and defense, when we have done that we have won some big games." Unfortunately, the women couldn't do that on Tuesday when they dropped their final home game to Augsburg College.

The only senior on the team, Hatlevig set the pace for St. Olaf with twelve points. Both teams struggled from the free throw line as the Auggies hung on for a two point victory, 58-56.

Sophomore Lisa Eidenschink had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The loss also ended the women's hopes of reaching the playoffs.

Yet a win in their season finale at Carleton would be a victory that this team would savor as they look to next season.