'I think we've got a very competitive squad': Breaking down the 2023-24 UWGB women's basketball roster
GREEN BAY – The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball team won its first Horizon League championship last year since its string of 20 straight titles ended in 2019.
The Phoenix was picked to finish at the top of the 11-team league again in 2023-24 in the preseason poll, which isn’t a surprise considering the veteran talent returning.
“I think it’s better to be picked at the top than the bottom,” longtime UWGB coach Kevin Borseth said. “I think we’ve got a very competitive squad. I told the players at the beginning, ‘I don’t know if you will win one game, but I do know one thing. When the other team leaves the gym, they are going to have some battle scars to go along with it.’
“I think we are talented. I think we are battle-tested. I think we are working hard. The players are confident. We have a lot of people out there that can make things happen, it’s just a matter of trying to get the right players in at the right time playing at the right pace."
Borseth offered comments on each of his 13 players entering the season, which starts Monday at Northern Iowa.
Cassie Schiltz, jr., 5-11
The former Luxemburg-Casco standout guard has become a fixture in the Phoenix lineup the last two seasons, starting 60 games during that span.
Schiltz averaged a career-high 9.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season.
“Cassie has been around for a long time,” Borseth said. “She has a lot of drive, a lot of will. She understands Green Bay basketball. She is just really all-in. A great leader. I expect great things from her.”
Caelan Givens, jr., 5-10
This is Givens’ fourth season in the program, but the guard has played only 11 career games after redshirting her first year and taking a medical redshirt last season.
She shot 5-for-12 in 29 minutes in 2021-22 and offers the Phoenix some upside.
“Caelan is kind of an unseen gem,” Borseth said. “She does a lot of really good things on the court. Probably as good of a defensive player as we’ve got. Understands the game. Extremely smart player. We will use her in roles this year.”
Marin Westin, fr., 5-8
The incoming guard was a standout at Becker High School in Minnesota.
She averaged 16.1 points, 6 rebounds and 3.4 assists for a team that went 27-4 last season.
“How do I describe Marin?” Borseth said. “She is a cross between (former UWGB standout) Jen Wellnitz and (current Phoenix guard) Natalie McNeal. Very talented. Very good player. Very smart. Obviously, doesn’t have the experience right now. But I think she is a player you keep a really good eye on and be impressed with her abilities.”
Sophie Lahti, fr., 6-1
The forward played her prep ball at Pine City in Minnesota, although she missed her senior season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
She was a two-time all-conference selection and an all-state honorable mention during her career while helping lead her team to three straight conference championships without a loss.
“She is still learning the game right now, it’s been a transition,” Borseth said. “She missed her senior year of high school last year and is just getting back into the swing of things right now.”
Natalie McNeal, jr., 5-8
Coming off a strong season with the Phoenix after transferring from St. Louis University.
McNeal played in all 34 games as a reserve and averaged 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 17.9 minutes.
She had some notable games the final part of the season, including 16 points and 16 rebounds against Wright State in February and 18 points and 13 rebounds against Cleveland State in March.
“She is in the starting lineup,” Borseth said. “She is a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. She is one of those kids that is just pedal to the metal. That’s my biggest concern about her. She doesn’t really know how to rest. She does not take plays off. She just literally goes from start to finish and goes pedal to the metal. Is going to be a really instrumental player for us.”
Callie Genke, jr., 6-0
The former Freedom guard made 18 starts and played in 34 games last season.
Genke averaged 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and shot 44.1% in 20.1 minutes.
“Callie is strong,” Borseth said. “She is very solid in all of her roles. Defends extremely well. Can rebound. Shoots the ball well. I don’t know if she will be our answer to (former standout) Sydney Levy, but she will let the ball fly this year quite a bit. Expect her to be very significant in contributions this year.”
Kendall Renard, jr., 6-3
The former Green Bay Preble forward was hit hard with injuries in 2022-23 and played just seven minutes in two games.
Renard has appeared in 20 contests, including one start, in her first three seasons at UWGB.
“She had a back injury and was very ginger with that,” Borseth said. “And, of course, she broke her toe at the beginning of the year. She is just getting back into the swing of things as well. Injuries have really prevented Kendall from moving forward, but she is working hard, and we will see what happens this year.”
Jasmine Kondrakiewicz, jr., 6-1
The forward has been a key contributor in each of her first three seasons with the Phoenix.
Kondrakiewicz averaged a career-high 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds and shot 45.8% in 34 games last season, including 23 starts.
She has scored 581 career points while playing in 82 games.
“Kind of a fan favorite, kind of a kid favorite,” Borseth said. “She has got a lot of energy. A vocal leader. Has experience. It’s going to be an interesting year for her. She is a post kid that’s really been misplaced a little bit the last couple years and has gotten a whole lot better at it. Will play significantly into things this year.”
Bailey Butler, jr., 5-7
One of the best players in the Horizon last season. The guard averaged 8.5 points and 3.9 rebounds and was named both second-team all-conference and to the league’s all-defensive team.
Butler averaged 30.5 minutes per game and was first in the Horizon in assists (140) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3).
“Probably as good a guard as you will ever have,” Borseth said. “Just strong physically. Strong-willed. Great leader. Great defender. She is kind of going to be the person that makes us go, because the ball is going to be in her hands a lot. I look for really good things from Bailey.”
Natalie Andersen, sr., 6-0
Joined UWGB as a graduate transfer in the offseason after playing for fellow Horizon member IUPUI during her career.
She started all 30 games for the Jaguars last season while averaging 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2 assists.
“Somebody we are excited to get back here,” Borseth said. “We recruited her out of high school from Mukwonago, and we got her back for her fifth year. It’s going to take a little while for her to get going because it’s a new landscape for her, but very talented. Very skilled, very smart player. Will play significantly into any success we have this year.”
Jenna Guyer, so., 6-2
The forward-center had a promising first season after sitting out her freshman year.
Guyer averaged 14.1 minutes in 26 games. She shot 51.4% overall (76-for-148) and 93.8% from the line (15-for-16).
“She is in the post position,” Borseth said. “Left, right-handed. I’m not sure which Jenna is, but very crafty with both hands. Extremely efficient offensively. We have got to make her a little bit better rebounder, a little bit better defender, but she is working hard and will serve in her role of helping Jaz in the post spot for us.”
Maddy Schreiber, jr., 6-0
UWGB might have made the NCAA Tournament had the guard-forward not missed the last two months of the season with an upper body injury.
Schreiber averaged 9.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17 games while shooting 53.4% (71-for-133).
“She’s back and healthy, and that’s really good,” Borseth said. “I think Maddy last year was arguably our best player and significant contributor when she went down. It’s been a tough offseason from the standpoint that you are not able to play, but she’s back and doing well. Playing with a lot of energy and back in the starting lineup. Look for really good things from her.”
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Meghan Schultz, fr., 6-4
The forward-center was one of the best seniors in the state last season while at New Berlin West.
Schultz was a finalist for Ms. Basketball after averaging 22.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.3 blocks while finishing with 17 double-doubles.
She completed her prep career with 1,666 points and 861 rebounds.
“I think Meghan Schultz has the ability to be as good a player as we’ve ever had here in terms of ability to play beyond college,” Borseth said. “She is a big, strong player that has got great feet. Right now, is learning the game. In high school she was double- and triple-teamed so many times she never got an opportunity to play in her real position. When she gets her feet under her and figures things out, she is going to be a really tough player for us.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Kevin Borseth breaks down the 2023-24 UWGB women's basketball roster
