Without scholarship athletes, corporate sponsorship or broadcasted games, the women’s club basketball team is quietly making a name for itself as one of the top squads in the area. The team was one of the best in the state last year, and according to coach Anna Torricelli, is on its way to similar success this season heading into its biggest tournament of the year.
“In two weeks we’re going to the DePaul tournament, which is the big regional tournament for all club teams from Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan,” Torricelli said. “If you win that, then you go to nationals, so that’s like the big tournament that we need to work for all year.”
Other club teams aren’t the only competition the women’s club basketball team faces, as it also matches up against varsity teams from Division II and III schools and community college teams. Despite the varied competition, the team has managed consistent success.
“We went to the DePaul tournament ranked the No. 1 club team in the state last year, and I think we’re even better this year,” Torricelli said.
Torricelli works in the athletic department at Northwestern after graduating last spring with a degree in social policy. As an undergraduate student, she was a three-year member of the club team. For the last year and a half of that stint she served as the team’s president.
When a coach was needed for this season, she happily offered her services and looked forward to continue working with the team.
The current president of the team is Carling Spelhaug. Spelhaug is a senior history major who joined the team as a sophomore, hungry for competitive basketball.
“My freshman year I just played intramurals, which I didn’t think was that competitive, and that’s why I wanted to look to get involved in (club basketball),” Spelhaug said.
Though the opportunity to keep playing basketball on a competitive level initially attracted Spelhaug to the team, she has since become one of the squad’s leaders on and off the court. As president, Spelhaug has several added responsibilities, including overseeing transportation to road contests and contacting coaches to schedule games.
“But really, just getting to meet new people … that have the same passion for basketball is what’s most rewarding about it,” Spelhaug said.
Morgan Cook, a sophomore studying political science and international studies, also enjoys the social opportunities the club team has afforded her. She tried out for the team upon her arrival as a freshman because she had played basketball throughout her life. Once she made the team, she found the benefits went beyond the court.
“Besides just the obvious exercise and stuff, I’ve met most of my friends through basketball, like my roommate and I met last year and now we’re living together,” Cook said. “It’s just a good social thing as well.”
Though the team seems to genuinely enjoy spending time together off the court, the girls do not neglect the importance of their time on the court. Thanks to hard work at practice, they have – by Torricelli’s count – compiled 16 wins in 19 games and are set to compete for the title in the upcoming
DePaul tournament.
