Last year, women’s intramural basketball took a break because not enough people signed up. This year, it’s back and more competitive than ever.

by Trey Anderson

The bright lights of the Sports and Recreation Center shine down on new faces this fall, as Bethel University welcomes back its women’s intramural basketball league.

After a year’s absence, the women’s league is back in action. Female students at Bethel are excited to be back on the hardwood competing again. A lack of teams signing up in 2016 led to the cancellation of the women’s intramural season. This year however, seven women’s teams will take the court, and try to bring home a championship title.

Female students at Bethel were frustrated last year because, despite interest, not enough girls signed up to justify the creation of a league. “We need a minimum of four [teams] just to run the league,” said Josh Carlson, the director of Rec Sports at Bethel University, “Last year we weren’t able to get four.”

This season, with enough teams to run the league, female students are geared up, and excited to play. One team, “The Ranch Dippers” even created a preseason video that of themselves practicing, hoping that their fans would get hyped up after watching them “ball out.” Abbie Anderson, a senior here at Bethel is thankful that the league came back in time for her senior year. “One last hurrah with all the ladies our senior year, no better way to go out than winning the ‘ship,” Anderson said.

Players emphasized their excitement to play in a league of their own. “It’s nice to be able to play on a team, and not to have to worry about being co-ed with boys,” said Mara Balzer, a sophomore on the “Dunking Donuts.” “That isn’t as fun.”

Women’s basketball is the only intramural sport that offers women the opportunity to play exclusively against other women. So this league offers girls the chance to play a sport they love in a safe, fun and less serious environment.

“Overall there’s some really good competition,” Lauren Robertson, another Senior at Bethel and member of the “Hoops There It Is,” said. “It’s fun to just be on a team with your friends.” Although the girls are thrilled about the return of friendly competition, don’t think for a second that they aren’t going to go all-out for the league title.

Despite having no wins so far, Anderson, of the “Ranch Dippers” said, “We’re definitely gonna win the ship.”

The Women’s League plays Monday and Wednesday nights in the Sports and Recreation Center on campus.