Coaches with UW-W Ties Take Center Stage in the NCAA Sweet 16

Nate Oaks
TJ Otzelberger

By Chris Lindeke 
Marketing and Communications Manager
University Marketing and Communications
UW-Whitewater

Two coaches of NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs with ties to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will lead their teams Thursday night in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Nate Oats, who worked as an assistant coach for the Warhawk men’s basketball team from 2000-02, will lead fourth-seeded Alabama against top-seeded North Carolina in a West Region semifinal at 8:39 p.m. in Los Angeles. The game will air live on CBS.

TJ Otzelberger, who played for the Warhawks from 1999-2001 and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university, coaches No. 2 seed Iowa State, which takes on No. 3 seed Illinois at 9:09 p.m. in Boston for an East Region semifinal.

Oats helped the Warhawks win back-to-back Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championships as an assistant coach. He worked under head coach Dave Vander Meulen during the 2000-01 campaign and under Pat Miller for the 2001-02 season.

Otzelberger was a member of the 2000-01 title winning team. He graduated in 2001 with a BBA in general business and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction in 2004.

UW-Platteville’s Cushman Places at WIAC Wrestling Championships

UW-Platteville’s Cushman Places at 69th Annual WIAC Wrestling Championships 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville team successfully hosted the 69th annual Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference wrestling championships Saturday in Williams Fieldhouse. First-year Coach Topher Carton led the host Pioneers to a fifth-place finish, finishing ahead of UW-Oshkosh. Junior David Cushman had two of the most exciting matches, beating UW-Stevens Point’s Easton Hull in sudden victory in the quarterfinals and then falling to UW-Whitewater’s Jermaine Butler in the same fashion in the semifinals at 157. 

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Platteville.

Grundahl Receives ’24 Jostens Trophy – Top Award for Division III Women’s Basketball

Salem, Va. – University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior forward Aleah Grundahl has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Jostens Trophy – awarded to the top player in Division III. 

The Jostens Trophy
This marks the 26th edition of the Jostens Trophy, presented annually by the Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia. The Jostens Trophy is designed to recognize the most outstanding men’s and women’s Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, and service to one’s surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self” by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. 

In addition to the Trophy, the Woolridge Scholarship, a $1,000 donation, will be presented in the names of the winners to their institutions. The scholarship is named after Dan Woolridge, a Salem Rotarian and the retired commissioner that founded the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, for his long-time dedication to Division III athletics. 

The winners were chosen by a 29-person national selection committee composed of current and former athletic administrators and head coaches, past Jostens Trophy recipients, and select members of the Division III media. 

Aleah Grundahl
Grundahl, a native of DeForest, Wisconsin and product of DeForest High School, is the most-decorated basketball player in UW-Whitewater history. She has been a force since she first stepped foot onto the floor in a Warhawk uniform – starting in every game she was available for during her five-year career. Grundahl’s list of accolades and the heights she has led the UWW program to is nothing short of extraordinary. 

“Aleah does it all – it’s not just basketball – she is the total package,” said Head Coach Keri Carollo. “Aleah is not only a phenomenal player, she is a great teammate, a fantastic leader and an amazing person.”

Grundahl, a two-time captain for UWW, has focused on team success throughout her career. She led the Warhawks to three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles (2020, 2022, 2023), a league tournament title (2023) and five NCAA Division III Basketball Tournament appearances (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). Those five appearances include runs to the national title game (2022), the Elite 8 (2024) and the Sweet 16 (2023). 

Individually, Grundahl has accomplished a number of “firsts” and broken several records along the way. She is the first to be named the WIAC Player of the Year three times (2022-24) in league history, the first UWW basketball player to garner six All-America honors, and the first in UW-W history to receive the Jostens Trophy. Grundahl became the all-time leading scorer for UW-Whitewater and the WIAC during the 2023-24 campaign with a career total of 1,952 points. In addition to scoring records, Grundahl holds numerous top 20 marks in the program and WIAC record books.  

The list of individual accolades continued to grow throughout her career despite her humble personality and team-centric mindset. Grundahl was selected as the league’s Newcomer of the Year in 2020 and has been selected to the All-WIAC squads all five seasons. She has earned Region 9 Player of the Year honors twice from D3hoops.com, was the 2022-23 UW-Whitewater Student-Athlete of the Year and was honored as the Athlete of the Year by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. On the national stage, Grundahl is a six-time All-American earning honors from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and D3hoops.com three times each. A two-time WBCA All-Star, Grundahl’s jersey has been hung at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Ring of Honor for the last year. 

Equally as impressive is Grundahl’s list of academic accomplishments. She was named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women’s basketball – an award that also focuses on athletics, academics and community service. Grundahl is a five-time Chancellor’s Scholar, five-year honoree on the WIAC’s Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on the Dean’s List her entire collegiate career. 

In service to the university and surrounding community, Grundahl is a four-year member of the UW-Whitewater Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a volunteer at Fairhaven Senior Services and has been student and substitute teaching this academic year. 

Grundahl will graduate with a degree in Elementary Education with a certification in Adaptive Education in May. 

“Aleah is the epitome of a Division III student-athlete,” noted Athletic Director Ryan Callahan. “Her career accomplishments in basketball – especially while student and substitute teaching this season – along with her success in the classroom, strong leadership qualities and community involvement put her in a class of her own.”

UW-W Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Wins National Championship


By Chris Lindeke, UW-W Communications Manager / Photos courtesy of Southwest Minnesota State University

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s wheelchair basketball team earned its 14th national title in program history by winning the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Men’s College Championship on March 14-16, 2024, at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota.

The Warhawks punctuated a perfect 3-0 record through the tournament with a 74-67 victory against top-seeded Arizona in the final game to pick up the program’s first national championship since 2016.

“We have all worked so hard over the past two years for this moment – the staff and the players,” coach Jake Williams said. “When you reach your goal and actually achieve it, that feels like the most satisfying part.

“We knew the whole Warhawk family was behind us – some of them were actually waiting for us at our practice facility when we got back. It was amazing to have that welcome home.”

Evan Oberst and Thomas Oberst, general business majors from Hartland, combined for 52 points in the championship game. Evan scored 23 points and added five rebounds and five assists, while Thomas finished with 29 points and team highs of 16 rebounds and nine assists.

Thomas Oberst receives the championship game Most Valuable player award from NWBA leadership.

Thomas Oberst was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

UW-Whitewater started its run March 14 with an 81-59 win against Southwest Minnesota State and punched its ticket to the title contest March 15 with a 74-58 triumph against Alabama in the semifinals.

“We really played our best basketball toward the end of the season, which is exactly what we wanted – we peaked at the right time,” Williams said. “We also knew we had great support from our alumni. We know winning means a lot to them, so that helps drive us to give everything.”

AJ Fitzpatrick and his UW-Whitewater teammates celebrate following the Warhawks’ win against Arizona in the NWBA national championship game on March 16, 2024.

The team’s regular season journey – which began with a home tournament on Dec. 1-2, 2023, at Kachel Fieldhouse in Whitewater – helped prepare the team for the tournament.

“We made some big improvements over this past season,” Williams said. “I noticed how well we grew together as a team, formed strong bonds, and learned to play for each other. We also developed mental toughness, which helps in the big games like the ones this past weekend.”

Williams now sets his sights on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which are set for Aug. 28-Sept. 8. 

Five Warhawks competed along with Williams for the gold medal-winning Team USA last summer at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. AJ Fitzpatrick, a human performance major from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Talen Jourdan, a general business major from Deerfield, and Warhawk alums John Boie and Jeromie Meyer were part of that team.

All five hope to be selected for the Paris 2024 roster, which will be announced in early April.

Youth Baseball and Softball Registration Deadline Nears


With the registration deadline fast approaching, Whitewater Parks and Recreation is urging families to sign up for its recreational youth baseball and softball programs, conducted in partnership with the Quad County League.

The Quad County League, consisting of teams from neighboring communities, offers an exceptional platform for young athletes to partake in friendly competition while teaching essential values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill development. The program, designed to nurture both athletic skills and player character, is ideal for children in grades 2 through 8.

As the deadline of April 5, 2024, draws near, interested families are encouraged to register their children promptly to secure their spots in the league. This is an invaluable opportunity for youth to engage in structured physical activity, foster friendships, and learn crucial life skills through the joy of sport.

The league, organized at different grade levels, ensures fair play by assigning each team a dedicated volunteer head coach and evenly splitting teams based on talent, in accordance with league rules. Participants will enjoy a schedule of games on weekday evenings, with makeup games scheduled for Fridays.

Moreover, an end-of-season league tournament in mid-July promises excitement and a chance for players to showcase their skills and teamwork.

To participate, families can visit www.wwparks.org for registration and additional information. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your child’s life through the thrill of baseball and softball. Register now before the April 5 deadline!

About Whitewater Parks and Recreation:
Whitewater Parks and Recreation is committed to providing diverse recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities in the Whitewater community. Through innovative programming and collaborative partnerships, we strive to promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall well-being.

TMJ4: UW-W athletes bring joy and laughter to Fairhaven Senior Services with bingo games

Nancy Cooper enjoying bingo with a football player [Submitted photos]

Only a small representation of the Fairhaven participants is shown in this photo taken after a bingo game with the football players.

TMJ4 broadcast this story on March 1. Please click this link to view the video.

With spring ball on the horizon for UW-Whitewater, the Warhawks football team has been ramping up the competition this offseason.

However, it’s not by getting in extra lifts or field work at Perkins Stadium.

The program spent an afternoon at Fairhaven Senior Services playing bingo with its residents.

“We’ve been doing this since I’ve been a freshman,” senior fullback Drake Martin smiled. “It’s a whole lot of fun. Just, you know, the conversations you have and the people you meet.”

UW-Whitewater’s relationship with Fairhaven’s residents spans more than a decade.

“It’s good to connect with the community because they always come out and support us,” senior defensive end Cole Yocum expressed. “Usually in the fall, they always come out to practice, come watch us practice and they love it. It gives them something to do.”

Over the years, the two groups have participated in a variety of activities together including dog treat making, and various arts and crafts.

“Sitting back and being able to see the interactions between the residents, that’s what it’s all about,” Fairhaven Director of Marketing and Leisure Services Brian Robinson shared. “Whether they’re a student athlete, a student, just being able to see and hear these engagements, it’s what I come to work for, what coach allows them to come here for. It just warms [the heart].”

While the Warhawks Football team has built their program on serving others, bingo is just a small token for the residents who have given them so much in return.

“It just gives you something to play for,” Yocum added. “(It’s a) little extra motivation to have their support and everything.”

Fairhaven’s relationship with UW-Whitewater stretches even farther than just with the Warhawks’ Football team.

More than a dozen different groups stretching from athletic teams to even academic departments engage with Fairhaven’s residents on a regular basis.

For more information on how to volunteer at Fairhaven Senior Services, contact Brian Robinson at robinsonb@fairhaven.org.

Transylvania Extended Streak to 64 over UW-W, But Didn’t Win Title; Warhawk Women Honored

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

In the Elite 8 of the NCAA women’s DIII basketball tournament on March 9, defending champions Transylvania University (KY) extended their winning streak to 64 games with a score of 62-48. The Warhawks entered halftime ahead by one point but seemed to run out of steam in the second half.

Transylvania met its match in the semifinals the following weekend, however, in a battle of the unbeatens. New York University extended their own streak to 30-straight with a 57-42 victory.

On March 16, NYU clinched the DIII title in Columbus, Ohio with a 51-41 win over Smith College (MA). NYU’s last title was in 1997.

Warhawk Women Earn Recognitions

According to press releases from UW-Whitewater: 

Grundahl, Carollo Earn All-America Honors

Aleah Grundahl and Kacie Carollo have earned All-America honors from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association for the second straight season. 

Grundahl was recognized with First Team honors for the second consecutive season. The senior forward is now a five-time All-American after claiming Honorable Mention honors from the WBCA in 2021-22 and adding a pair of honors from D3hoops.com – Second Team in 2021-22 and Third Team in 2022-23. Only two other players in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history have earned five All-America honors. 

The sixth-highest scorer in Division III this season, Grundahl registered 613 points, a UWW record for points in a season. She ranks fifth in the nation in field goals (236) and seventeenth in points per game (20.4). Her average scoring output in 2023-24 also ties a program record. This season, Grundahl broke both the UWW and WIAC’s all-time scoring records. She also holds the UWW record for points in a game, 39, which was also accomplished this season. A finalist for the Jostens Trophy – awarded to the top player in Division III – Grundahl was named the WIAC Player of the Year for the third consecutive season and also garnered the league’s Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor. 

Carollo is now a three-time All-American after securing Honorable Mention honors from the WBCA and Fourth Team recognition from D3hoops.com a year ago. The junior guard ranks among the top 30 in Division III in assists averaging 4.5 per contest with a total of 122 on the season. Her 7.1 defensive rebounds per game is among the top 60 nationally. Carollo is one of just 27 players on more than 400 Division III squads and the only player in the WIAC to have recorded a triple double this season. 

The pair led the league in numerous statistical categories this season including assists, field goals, free throws, total points, scoring per game, defensive rebounds and steals. 

The Warhawks made a run to the Elite 8, finishing the season with a 25-5 record. 

Aleah Grundahl Named Finalist for Jostens Trophy (DIII Player of the Year)

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior forward Aleah Grundahl has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Jostens Trophy. Grundahl is one of ten finalists for the award that will honor the top women’s basketball player in Division III.

The Jostens Trophy honors are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem (Va.) and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men’s and women’s Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess and service to one’s surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self” by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2024 season marks the 26th edition of the Jostens Trophy honors. The winner will be announced on March 18. 

Grundahl is a paragon of the Division III philosophy. The senior has amassed a number of individual accolades that are unsurpassed in Warhawk basketball history while leading UW-Whitewater to team success on the hardwood. In the classroom, she works just as hard earning academic accolades throughout her career that will culminate with a degree in Elementary Education with a licensure in Adaptive Education. Grundahl was the recipient of the highest Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors, both athletically and academically, this season all while student teaching in the fall and substitute teaching this semester. 

This season, Grundahl was named the WIAC Player of the Year for the third consecutive time, becoming the first player in conference history to earn the honor three times. She also garnered WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors which considers academic achievement and community service in addition to athletic accomplishments. 

Grundahl continues to write her name in both UWW and WIAC history. In addition to becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer this season, Grundahl holds every scoring record for UWW including career points, points in a season and points in a single game — all marks she set during the 2023-24 campaign. She is a four-time All-American, two-time All-Region (Player of the Year in 2023) and five-time All-WIAC honoree. 

Despite the numerous individual accolades, UW-Whitewater’s team success has always been the driving factor for Grundahl. The two-time Warhawk captain has led the Warhawks to four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances including a run to the national title game in 2021-22, three WIAC regular season titles and a league tournament championship. 

Off the court, Grundahl is active in the community as a four-year member of the UW-Whitewater Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She has also volunteered with Fairhaven Senior Services throughout her career. 

Just two players representing the WIAC have been awarded the Jostens Trophy since its inception in 1998 — Kay Mikolajczak (UW-Oshkosh) in 2004 and Julia Hirssig (UW-Stout) in 2010. The winners are chosen by a national selection committee consisting of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and selected members of the media. 

Aleah Grundahl Earns WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Aleah Grundahl has been named the recipient of the 2024 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award.

A senior from DeForest, Wis. (DeForest), Grundahl sustains a 3.506 grade point average and is majoring in elementary education with a minor in adaptive education. She is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-Whitewater’s Dean’s List and Honor Roll numerous semesters. She is also a recipient of UW-Whitewater’s Chancellor’s Scholar honor.
 
Grundahl secured WIAC Player of the Year distinction this season for the third consecutive year to become the first individual in conference history to accomplish the feat. She is a four-time All-WIAC first team selection and received Newcomer of the Year distinction in 2020. A two-time D3hoops.com (2022-Second, 2023-Third) and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American (2022-Honorable Mention, 2023-First), she has helped the Warhawks earn NCAA tournament bids four times, including a national championship appearance in 2022 followed by a Sweet 16 showing in 2023. Grundahl was chosen the D3hoops.com Region 9 Player of the Year in 2023, as well as a participant in the WBCA All-Star Game and the UW-Whitewater Athlete of the Year. In 2022-23, her uniform was hanging in the Ring of Honor at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Grundahl set the program’s single-game scoring record with 39 points against UW-La Crosse on Feb. 10, 2024, and owns the WIAC all-time scoring mark with 1,864 points.
 
Grundahl has been a member of UW-Whitewater Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for four years and has volunteered at Fairhaven Senior Services. She has served as an administrative assistant for UW-Whitewater Recreation Sports, as well as a student teacher and substitute teacher.
 
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she was Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from October 1984 – September 1996. Kruckman was the women’s athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974-84, and one of the original representatives to the WWIAC when it formed in 1971. She was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, she must be in her last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.

Aleah Grundahl Named WIAC Player of the Year for Third Time

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior forward Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) has been named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the third consecutive season to headline a contingent of three Warhawks named All-WIAC this season. Junior guard Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) added First Team and All-Defensive Team honors while junior forward Katie Hildebrandt (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) received honorable mention recognition. 

Grundahl is the first women’s basketball player in conference history to be named the league’s top player three times. The feat has been accomplished just one other time in WIAC basketball history with Mike Ratliff (UWEC) earning the honor on the men’s side from 1969-72. This season, Grundahl has paced the Warhawks breaking numerous records along the way. She became the UWW all-time leading scorer in the second game of the season. On February 14, she became the all-time leading scorer in the WIAC, surpassing a mark that had stood since 1995. Her 39 points against UW-La Crosse broke the UW-Whitewater single game scoring record and is the most by a player in the league this season. Grundahl leads the WIAC in scoring this season averaging 20.2 points per game while adding 2.1 steals per outing, ranked second in the league. She adds top 12 marks in total points (525), rebounds per game (6.2), field goal percentage (.520), free throw percentage (.781) and assists per game (1.9). 

Carollo is now a three-time All-WIAC honoree and two-time All-Defensive Team selection with the pair of honors in 2024. She ranks second in the WIAC in rebounding, averaging 8.1 per game. Carollo adds 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals per outing ranked third and fourth in the league respectively. Also, one of the conference’s top scorers, Carollo’s 14.4 points per game is a top-10 mark in the league. The junior hauled in the second-most rebounds by a player in the league this season with 16 at UW-Oshkosh and tops the list for steals in a single game with six against UW-Stout. 

Hildebrandt received honorable mention recognition in her first season as a Warhawk. The junior is one of the league’s top three-point shooters, hitting over 35-percent of her shots from long range. Her 1.4 blocks per game is ranked third in the WIAC this season. Hildebrandt adds top 20 marks in points per game (9.2), rebounds per game (4.7) and field goal percentage (.417). 

Grundahl was also named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season. She is the fourth Warhawk to earn the honor and second under Head Coach Keri Carollo. A full release on the scholar-athlete award will be posted this week. 

Kacie Carollo named all-region

Kacie Carollo, a Integrated Science and Business major from Whitewater, WI, and member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team, has been selected to the All-Region Teams announced by D3hoops.com.

Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) and Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) each garnered first team accolades. Grundahl was named the Region 9 Player of the Year for the second straight season.

The Warhawks’ dynamic duo led UWW to the Elite 8 this season and have combined for five All-Region honors in the last three seasons.

Now a three-time First Team All-Region honoree, Grundahl is also the first player in conference history to earn Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors in her career. The senior forward led the league in scoring averaging 20.4 points per game this season – a mark that ties the UWW record and 13th in WIAC history. Her 613 points in 2023-24 is the most in UWW history and fifth-most in a season in league history. She registered top 10 marks in the conference in rebounding (6.2 per game), field goal percentage (52.9), free throw percentage (76.2), blocked shots (30), steals (64) and minutes played per contest (30.7).

Carollo garnered First Team recognition for the second consecutive season. Also a First Team All-WIAC selection and All-Defensive Team pick, Carollo was consistent on both ends of the floor. The junior guard ranked sixth in the league in scoring averaging 14.7 points per game while hauling in 8.1 rebounds per outing, ranked third. She led the WIAC in assists with 122 on the season and added top 10 marks in free throw percentage (78.9), 3-point percentage (33.8), steals (53) and minutes played per game (31.6). Carollo’s 122 assists ranks seventh in program history while her rebound total, 219, is a top 20 mark.

UW-W Women’s Basketball Falls in Elite 8

The Warhawk faithful cheer in the background after Kacie Carollo hit a three-pointer against Transylvania (Craig Schreiner)

By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information

 The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s phenomenal season came to a close in the Elite 8 Saturday following a 62-48 loss to undefeated Transylvania University. 

The Warhawk faithful showed up in droves and provided a fantastic atmosphere in Kachel Gymnasium for the game Saturday night. As the contest got underway, it was clear the first half was going to be a defensive battle from the opening tip. The stifling defenses on both sides limited scoring through the first two quarters and kept the game close. 

Late in the first, Lunden Alexander knocked down a triple that gave UWW a 12-9 advantage with 3:29 left. The Pioneers hit a layup at the 1:54 mark for the last bucket of the period.

The second quarter went back-and-forth until TU went on a 7-2 run to open up a six-point lead, 22-16, halfway through the period. The Warhawks responded on both sides – the offense put up seven points including four from Aleah Grundahl and another three from Alexander, while the defense blanked the Pioneers for the final 5:46 of the quarter. That 7-0 run gave UW-Whitewater all the momentum heading into the break despite the one-point difference, 23-22. 

A big third quarter run for Transylvania saw the Pioneers build a double figure margin by the midway point. The Warhawks refused to fold and went on a tear late in the quarter. With the score 42-29 in favor of TU, Kacie Carollo fed Grundahl on a beautiful pass for the layin. A quick Pioneer turnover gave the Warhawks the ball under their own basket and Carollo capitalized drilling a three-pointer in the corner in front of the UWW bench. The play was a perfect catch and shoot off the inbounds pass from Renee Rittmeyer and the crowd erupted. 

Less than 30 seconds later, Carollo struck again from long range to cut the margin to five. On the other end, Carollo hauled in a defensive board, one of her nine on the night, and pushed the pace up the court. The ball found its way into Katie Hildebrandt’s hands, and she knocked down a jumper to send Kachel into pandemonium as the UWW had cut the lead to three, 42-39, with less than 30 seconds remaining in the quarter. With all of the momentum going the Warhawks’ way, Transylvania called a timeout. Following the break in action, the Pioneers got off a last second shot to push the lead back to five, 44-39, by the end of the third. 

The margin was still at five at the 6:17 mark in the fourth before Transylvania hit a couple of big shots and the Warhawk offense went cold. TU hit a three and a layup while UWW had multiple shots circle the rim and pop out. The swing had Pioneer advantage back into double digits with less than four to play. The Warhawks were forced to foul, but TU hit their free throws down the stretch for the final. 

Grundahl led UWW with 17 points on 6-12 from the floor. She added six rebounds and tallied three blocks. Hildebrandt posted 10 points while Carollo went 9-9-7 in scoring, rebounds and assists respectively.  

The Warhawks closed the 2023-24 campaign with a 25-5 mark after making the team’s 22nd appearance in the NCAA tournament and fifth trip to the Elite 8.

UW-W Women’s Basketball Advances to Elite 8

Warhawks celebrate late in the game against Hope Friday. (Michael Gouvion)

By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team defeated Hope College 72-61 in Kachel Gym to advance to the Elite 8 for the fifth time under Head Coach Keri Carollo. The Warhawks will host unbeaten Transylvania University Saturday, March 9 with tipoff slated for 7 p.m. and a ticket to the Final Four on the line. 

Doors to Kachel Gym will open at 6 p.m. Tickets (cash only) can be purchased at the ticket window in the Williams Center near the gym entrance. No presale tickets will be available. Parking is free in the Williams Center or Perkins Stadium parking lots.

  • $15 for adults
  • $10 for students with a valid college ID, seniors and youth
  • Free for children 3 years old and under


UWW got off to a good start for the third NCAA postseason game in a row. Late in the first, Aleah Grundahl converted on an offensive board and followed up the bucket with a steal that turned into a Katie Hildebrandt layup to give the Warhawks a 20-11 advantage. Hope made the final basket of the first quarter to cut the margin to seven. 

UW-Whitewater dominated the second quarter shooting 62-percent (8-13) from the floor and 63-percent (5-8) from three-point range to widen the gap to 18, 41-23, by the intermission. Bri McCurdy and Kacie Carollo paced UWW with six points each – both knocked down a pair of threes in the period. 

After an even third quarter, Hope put together a run in the fourth, but the Warhawks held them off. A 7-0 spurt early for HC narrowed the gap to 11, 61-50, with seven minutes left. UWW responded with a 9-2 run bolstered by seven points from Carollo to push the lead back to 19 with four left to play. 

The margin fell to 10 with under a minute to go but Carollo sealed the game from the free throw line for the final. 

A major advantage for UW-Whitewater Friday came on the glass as the Warhawks enjoyed a 41-27 sway in the rebound column. 

Grundahl led the way with 25 points on 12-20 from the floor. She was a single rebound shy of a double-double while adding three assists and three steals. Carollo dropped in 19 with four assists in the game. Lunden Alexander knocked down three clutch triples to get the crowd going. She had 13 points off the bench for UWW. 

Saturday’s Elite 8 matchup with Transylvania will be the first time the two teams meet. The Pioneers (30-0) hold the longest active win streak across all sports in NCAA competition with their 63rd consecutive win earlier Friday – a 63-58 victory over UW-Stout. 

Transylvania President “Extremely Disappointed” That the Defending Champions Have to Travel to UW-W

Editor’s note: The following article appeared in the Lexington [KY] Herald Leader on March 4. The Warhawk Women’s Basketball team is playing Hope College (MI) on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kachel Gymnasium in the Williams Center. Transylvania University plays UW-Stout at 5:00 p.m. See this post for further information. Kachel Gym has a seating capacity of 2495. The Warhawk women would appreciate a great crowd, which also might have an impact on NCAA decisions for home court for future women’s and men’s basketball tournament games.

Extremely disappointed.’ Transy not happy NCAA sent its women’s basketball team packing.

The NCAA revealed on Sunday that Transylvania women’s basketball will travel to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for — and not host — the second weekend of the 2024 Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Pioneers (29-0), the second-overall seed in this year’s tournament, are the only unbeaten team to not receive hosting privileges for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games. Top-overall seed NYU (27-0), which did not host in the opening weekend due to its men’s team hosting the opening weekend (men’s teams receive hosting priority in even years, women’s teams in odd), and third-overall seed Rhode Island College (29-0), which did host the opening rounds, will both play in front of a home crowd this weekend.

Transylvania did serve as host for the opening round games on Friday and Saturday, but will travel roughly seven hours northwest for the next round. Administrators connected to the program expressed their frustration with the NCAA’s decision to select Wisconsin-Whitewater (24-4) as the tournament’s second-weekend host. Transylvania University president Brien Lewis shared his distaste for the decision with NCAA president Charlie Baker in an early afternoon email shared with the Herald-Leader. “Dear President Baker, “I am extremely disappointed to learn that despite being the undefeated national champions and being on a historic 62-game winning streak (the third longest in DIII women’s basketball), the Transylvania Pioneers will not be hosting the next round but will be sent on a 7-hour bus trip to Whitewater, Wisconsin. “To say that this seems a very poor way of rewarding consistent outstanding performance by these student athletes and their dedicated supporters is a gross understatement. “While I understand and applaud the general policy of limiting flights and travel, this does not appear appropriate or reasonable in these circumstances and given the bracketing and results of the tournament to date. “I regret having no alternative at this point but to express this frustration very publicly. “Sincerely, Brien”

A representative of Transylvania University said Lewis’ email may be used as the university’s statement. Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference commissioner Jay Jones issued the following statement via email to the Herald-Leader on Sunday. “It is always disheartening when your team is not given the respect and recognition they have earned. While we have been assured that the decision was based on a travel and cost-saving policy, it nonetheless puts a defending national champion, that has not lost a game in two seasons, over seven hours from home. I hurt for the players, their families and the city of Lexington that has really embraced this team over the last two seasons and deserved a chance to support them on their home floor next weekend.”

According to D3hoops.com, the purveyor of the widely accepted regular season rankings for both men’s and women’s Division III college basketball, there is no perfect formula for deciphering which teams get to host.

“The NCAA Tournament selection committees build the brackets and decide which schools will host each weekend. While teams with higher regional rankings have a better chance to host, several factors go into hosting decisions including geography, facilities, attendance history and revenue potential and a school’s willingness to host. The NCAA has encouraged the committees to keep travel costs down, especially during the opening weekend, so the committee may give hosting opportunities to a lower seeded team that is closer to the other teams in the pod and reduces the number of flights the NCAA has to cover. If a team is 500 miles or more from the game site, the NCAA will pay for the team’s flight.” Per the most recent NCAA regional rankings as of games through Feb. 25, Transylvania is the No. 1 team in Region VIII. Wisconsin-Whitewater is the top team in Region IX. The Warhawks reached their third straight Sweet 16 with an 86-47 victory over Minnesota-Morris in the first round and an 89-65 defeat of Millikin in the second round. Region IV leader NYU’s bracket quarter contains two other region Nos. 1 in Region V leader Scranton (27-2) and Region X leader Hardin-Simmons (26-3). Bowdoin (27-2), the top team in Region I, and Rhode Island College, the No. 1 team in Region II, are the only region leaders in their respective bracket quarters.

Last season, unbeaten Transylvania hosted the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament before traveling to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, for the second weekend. The Pioneers [from Transylvania] went on to win the first national championship in program history. Transylvania faces the University of Wisconsin-Stout at 6 p.m. EST [5 p.m. Whitewater time] on Friday at the Kachel Gymnasium in Williams Center before Wisconsin-Whitewater and Hope College (26-3) tip off at 8:30 p.m.[7:30 p.m. Whitewater time] Wisconsin-Stout (23-7) defeated Washington University in St. Louis 71-61 in the first round and Puget Sound 61-40 in the second round to reach the Sweet 16.