The Buena Vista women’s basketball team finished this year with a record of 17-10. The team has improved the past few years through their effort and teamwork. In 2024-25, the record was 8-17, and the year 2022-23 was 3-20. The women’s basketball team continued to increase their record by entering in the American Rivers Conference.
The coach has led the team for two years, and her effort from last year’s season gave her the skills and lessons to improve her team for the current season. Even with the wins or losses she continued to work with her athletes.
BVU women’s basketball coach, Kylee Boettcher explained that regardless of the losses, they will continue to grow as humans and athletes. “Our one main focus is improving our defense; I think that’s really been the shift from last year to this year,” said Boettcher. “We have a lot of the same girls with new pieces but it’s just the focus we put on the defense side of things that has helped create offense.”
During the offseason, the team continued to work hard. They went to the weight room three times a week and worked on their agility with strength and conditioning coach Shane Maier.“It was either get quicker or get stronger,” said Boettcher. “They know the game of basketball, so it’s a lot of trying to figure out what they do well that’s going to be a good position in the team.”
The team worked well together, celebrating wins and losses and did not stop motivating each other. After a tough loss, they would came together and worked on what they needed to improve as a team and not single out individuals.
Maddy Raveling, a first-year student, explained that with the newcomers the team has been very welcoming. “My teammates are very helpful; they helped me know tips and tricks I should do to stay ahead of grades and be an athlete,” said Raveling. “We do a lot of bonding off the court, and all the girls are super nice.”
“Our biggest motivation after a tough loss has been each other, like pushing each other to do our best, especially those games that we really want and we lose really close to,” Raveling said. “I feel that’s an extra motivation we bring to the team.”
While their conference tournament run ended with a loss to Coe College, the Beavers finished with a 17-9 record — their best in recent years. Overall, the coach and the team improved since their last season due to their team effort, sportsmanship, and determination.
