PGH Minnesota Team Preview: Upsala
The 9th team preview for PGH Minnesota goes to the Upsala Cardinals from the Prairie Conference who were 14-13 last season and look to get even better this season. I had the chance to chat with head coach Nick Klug…
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Continue ReadingThe 9th team preview for PGH Minnesota goes to the Upsala Cardinals from the Prairie Conference who were 14-13 last season and look to get even better this season. I had the chance to chat with head coach Nick Klug about his Cardinals squad and what their expectations are this season.
Cardinals to Watch
Laura Lange, Senior, 2020
Lange as a junior was the top player for the Cardinals of Upsala. Averaged 16 points per contest and was an all-conference player for Upsala. She has had a great career with the Cardinals, as she got her 1000th point last season. Lange should again use her skills to lead the charge for Upsala.
Amber Binek, Senior, 2020
Binek will be another threat for the Cardinals as she averaged about 12 points per contest last year, and like Lange was an all-conference player as well. This Cardinals team will be led by Binek’s as Amber has two sisters, Paige, and Kristine who are on the team as well.
Ali Harren, Senior, 2020
An all-conference honorable mention, Harren will round out this senior leadership of all-conference players for Upsala. Harren will be the 3rd punch in the Cardinals starting lineup, so look for her to produce alongside Binek and Lange.
Abby Ripplinger, Senior 2020
This Cardinals team has a lot of chemistry in this starting lineup as Abby Ripplinger is also back in the starting lineup for Upsala. Ripplinger is a key player on both sides of the ball. That makes four last season starters on this list, which should make for an up and coming season for Upsala.
Other Key Contributors
These players got some good minutes last year for Upsala and will play key roles for the Cardinals this season:
Haley Opatz, Senior, 2020
Paige Binek, Junior, 2021
Kristine Binek, Sophomore, 2022
Taylor Soltis, Sophomore, 2022
Abby Klein, Sophomore, 2022
Team Goals for Upsala
The Cardinal’s goal is to compete for a “conference championship” Coach Klug told PGH Minnesota. After a 14 win season, Upsala should be better in the Prairie Conference as they are returning 90% of their scoring from last season which is another add on they have along with their senior-dominated team.
Conference Rivals the Cardinals Need to Beat
“I think anytime in our conference can compete with anyone any given night” Coach Klug told PGH Minnesota. The Cardinals will need to take care of the ball offensively and defensively to compete. Two teams of mention in the conference are Browerville, who has a young roster but very experienced and Osakis who is “always tough” in the Prairie Conference.
Ways the Cardinals Can Improve This Season
Some of the things the Cardinals can improve on is limiting their turnovers and their scoring droughts. “We had too many games this season where we would go thru long stretches with no scoring” Coach Klug said as Upsala will need to improve that this season. Another improvement is getting better on the boards, which will be a challenge as Upsala has a smaller lineup but a lineup that plays physical basketball. Using their speed with also be another key improvement Coach Klug’s squad would like to make.