UNI intramural team qualifies for national tournament

The University of Northern Iowa has yet another team in the national basketball tournament scene. The Athletes have qualified for the American Collegiate Intramural Sports National Basketball Championships this weekend. The tournament runs from April 30 to May 2 in Raleigh, N.C., on the campus of North Carolina State.

The Athletes won the UNI intramural women’s basketball league this semester with ease and looked for stiffer competition in regional play in Lincoln, Neb. The Athletes dominated UNI intramural play winning by more than 40 points a game and won the championship game by more than 60 points.

The Athletes have a total of seven players who range from a sophomore to the three seniors on the team and players come from all around the state of Iowa. The team is composed of Abby Mohlis, Alexa Mennen, Ashley Eubanks, Kristin Iehl, Macala Mennen, Morgan Funke and Nelia Olson. The Athletes have five former college athletes, with two who played volleyball and three former UNI basketball players.

“It has been a really fun experience to travel and get to play basketball. It has made us all really close. It gives us a chance to play the sport at a competitive level again in a more relaxed environment,” said Alexa Mennen.

The Athletes found some better competition in Lincoln, but still finished 4-0 on the weekend to represent UNI.  The closest game of the weekend was a mere 10 points. Alexa Mennen was named to the All-Tournament team, and Nelia Olson earned MVP honors for the tournament. Winning the regional contest qualified the team for Nationals.

“We are expecting to win. We are excited to see some better competition, but we are still heading into the tournament expecting to win,” said Alexa Mennen about their expectations going into the tournament.

The team flew out Thursday, and play kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. The bracket has yet to be posted, but the team knows they will face stiffer competition and a double elimination tournament with around 20 teams. The opening round games will be played on Friday and Saturday with the ACIS National Champion being crowned Sunday.

The Athletes would like to thank all of the people who have supported them so far including Cindy Klatt and the UNI intramural program and others in the community for helping to fund part of this trip.