The Minnesota West Lady Jays Women's Basketball team started the new year ranked as No. 3 in the NJCAA DIII. Their record is 20-1 in the 10th week and Rosalie Hayenga-Hostikka (117-78) is in her 8th season as Head Coach with her side-kick Avery Van Roekel as Assistant Coach.

The Lady Jays will be hosting the No. 1 ranked rivalry, Rochester Technical & Community College, Wednesday, January 25. RCTC has an undefeated record, with their latest win over Minnesota State (96-36).
Not far behind is Owens Community College in Perrysburg, OH, ranked No. 2 in the nation.

The team's latest victory with a final score of 86-82 was on the road against Western Technical College on January 21. With a little under a month left of the regular season, and 8 games to go, Coach Hayenga-Hostikka is looking to be one of the twelve teams traveling to Rochester, MN to compete for the 2022 NJCAA DIII Women's Basketball Championship from March 9-12. In the Southern Division, 5 of the 8 teams are ranked in the top 15 in the nation.

The coaches commented on how hard the girls work every day in practice and show up. They push each other and it continues to make the whole team better as the season progresses.

"I just can’t say enough about my 3 sophomores. They have been such great leaders on and off the court and it is amazing what a difference 3 strong leaders like this can do," Hayenga-Hostikka said.

"Tia Murray is having a fantastic season once again and I believe that she is one of the best players in Division III. She can take over a game and is someone who I know I can depend on to step up when she is needed. Dannyn Peterson is one of the toughest kids I have ever coached. She has overcome some injuries and just continues to go out there and do so many little things that sometimes don’t get noticed in the box score. Madisyn Huisman is one of those players that just has this uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. She has become such a tough player to defend and I am just so proud of how good she has become."

Off the court, between road trips and community involvement, the team genuinely enjoys being around each other. Earlier in the season, the Lady Jays were able to volunteer their time towards a youth clinic for boys and girls. Together, they also worked on Christmas boxes this holiday season.

RCTC Yellow Jackets will be an intense and exciting way to end the first round of the Southern Division play. "We look forward to the opportunity and challenge of a No. 1 ranked team. So far this season, we have played high-risk with high reward while running the floor at all times. In order to beat a great team like Rochester we have to protect the ball and make even fewer mistakes," Hayenga-Hostikka said.

"This game is another step towards the team's goals, and no matter what happens this has been and will always be an incredible season."

Both coaches are really proud of their team and what they have accomplished this season. "We set some lofty goals this year, and I know we will continue to work hard to achieve them," said Hayenga-Hostikka.

The Lady Jays matchup	The Bluejays matchup