PLATTEVILLE - Kim Wellnitz worked hard to earn the starting center job with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team.
Once she accomplished that goal, Wellnitz said she worked even harder.
"It was really an honor to get that starting spot, and I just had to prove to coach that I could keep it," Wellnitz said.
The 6-foot sophomore certainly proved her point to Pioneers coach Megan Wilson and the rest of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches. On Monday, she was named an honorable mention member of the league's honor squad.
UW-Platteville junior guard Liz Lawinger, a former Mineral Point athlete, also earned honorable mention status. UW-Stevens Point junior guard Sam Barber was named the league's player of the year.
Wellnitz averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds in 25 minutes per game for the Pioneers (8-17, 4-12 WIAC), who doubled their league victories total from last season. Her averages were slightly higher in league play - 10.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.
The all-league recognition "is a really big accomplishment," Wellnitz said. "I try to work hard and I love the game - that's why I do it."
She learned about the honor at a recent end-of-the-season team meeting.
"I was really surprised and proud of myself at the same time," Wellnitz said. "I knew I could play (in the WIAC). It's a big accomplishment and it really motivates me to work hard for next year and get (first-team) all-conference - push it one more step."
The Pioneers lost last season's starting center to graduation, and Wellnitz said she was determined to earn that spot.
"I really wanted to prove that I could be a part of this team and help us win games," Wellnitz said. "I worked out (last) summer; I knew I wanted to get better. Every day going to practice, I just told myself, 'You want to be starting.
"It really helped boost my confidence when I got more playing time (as a starter). The more I loved it, the more I wanted to work hard."
Wellnitz said playing strong defense was her top priority.
"(Wilson) really counted on me to be a defensive factor against all the great posts in the WIAC," Wellnitz said, adding that she played "timid" at times as a freshman. "I really wanted to show myself that I could shut them down."
Wellnitz had her two best offensive games against UW-Oshkosh, scoring 22 and 23 points as the Pioneers swept the Titans. She went 3-for-6 from 3-point range in those two games, further motivating her to be a dual-threat post player.
"I've really been working on my outside shot," Wellnitz said. "I want to be the kind of post that's not just an inside presence, but also an outside threat."
Wellnitz led the Pioneers in scoring five times, including four times in WIAC play.
She said one of her main goals as she prepares for her junior season is increasing her physical play. At 6-foot, she often faces taller opposing post players.
"I'm not as tall, but I can be just as physical and that's what I have to keep working on," Wellnitz said. "I'm going to get in the weight room and practice this summer to increase that physicality."
Once she accomplished that goal, Wellnitz said she worked even harder.
"It was really an honor to get that starting spot, and I just had to prove to coach that I could keep it," Wellnitz said.
The 6-foot sophomore certainly proved her point to Pioneers coach Megan Wilson and the rest of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches. On Monday, she was named an honorable mention member of the league's honor squad.
UW-Platteville junior guard Liz Lawinger, a former Mineral Point athlete, also earned honorable mention status. UW-Stevens Point junior guard Sam Barber was named the league's player of the year.
Wellnitz averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds in 25 minutes per game for the Pioneers (8-17, 4-12 WIAC), who doubled their league victories total from last season. Her averages were slightly higher in league play - 10.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.
The all-league recognition "is a really big accomplishment," Wellnitz said. "I try to work hard and I love the game - that's why I do it."
She learned about the honor at a recent end-of-the-season team meeting.
"I was really surprised and proud of myself at the same time," Wellnitz said. "I knew I could play (in the WIAC). It's a big accomplishment and it really motivates me to work hard for next year and get (first-team) all-conference - push it one more step."
The Pioneers lost last season's starting center to graduation, and Wellnitz said she was determined to earn that spot.
"I really wanted to prove that I could be a part of this team and help us win games," Wellnitz said. "I worked out (last) summer; I knew I wanted to get better. Every day going to practice, I just told myself, 'You want to be starting.
"It really helped boost my confidence when I got more playing time (as a starter). The more I loved it, the more I wanted to work hard."
Wellnitz said playing strong defense was her top priority.
"(Wilson) really counted on me to be a defensive factor against all the great posts in the WIAC," Wellnitz said, adding that she played "timid" at times as a freshman. "I really wanted to show myself that I could shut them down."
Wellnitz had her two best offensive games against UW-Oshkosh, scoring 22 and 23 points as the Pioneers swept the Titans. She went 3-for-6 from 3-point range in those two games, further motivating her to be a dual-threat post player.
"I've really been working on my outside shot," Wellnitz said. "I want to be the kind of post that's not just an inside presence, but also an outside threat."
Wellnitz led the Pioneers in scoring five times, including four times in WIAC play.
She said one of her main goals as she prepares for her junior season is increasing her physical play. At 6-foot, she often faces taller opposing post players.
"I'm not as tall, but I can be just as physical and that's what I have to keep working on," Wellnitz said. "I'm going to get in the weight room and practice this summer to increase that physicality."
