The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/495628
BY BRANDON BROWN W hen the 2014‑15 season began for the Michigan w o m e n ' s b a s k e t b a l l team, confidence was running high. After going 20‑14 over‑ all and 8‑8 in the Big Ten in 2013‑14, Michigan was set to return three se‑ niors and bring in the best recruiting class in program history. The senior class, made up of forward Cyesha Goree and guards Nicole Elm‑ blad and Shannon Smith, was ready to lead the team into the NCAA Tourna‑ ment. Goree was coming off of a sec‑ ond‑team All‑Big Ten campaign, and Smith was the team's leading scorer. Elmblad had been a prominent player in the rotation since her freshman sea‑ son and was a two‑time team captain. The Wolverines looked ready to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. Fast‑forward to early April, and the Wolverines finished the season 20‑15 overall and 8‑10 in conference play, missed the NCAA Tournament and settled for the WNIT. Elmblad, though, had no regrets on how her senior season played out. "It was definitely our goal as a se‑ nior group to make the tournament," Elmblad said. "We had all been there Guard Shannon Smith averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game during her senior season, and she helped U‑M advance to the semifinals of the WNIT. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS