This year, Hamline’s  women athletes have been dominating the scene. Left and right, these athletes have been breaking records, winning matches and being named MIAC athlete of the week. 

In the fall season, Alexandra Maddux led the Pipers throughout the whole cross country season. During the 2021 MIAC Championship,  Maddux placed 14 overall with a time of 23:27. 

The women’s soccer team finished their conference season 3–7–1. The standout star of the season was Junior Tylar Sayles. November was a big month for the defender. First, Sayles was named to the 2021 MIAC Women’s soccer all-conference team. Next Sayles was chosen to participate in the NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program. 

Volleyball also had a momentous season, the team finished 20–8 overall. The Pipers made it to the second round of the playoffs, ending their eventful season with a close loss to Bethel University. This was the Piper’s first MIAC tournament win in over 20 years. 

The (volley)ballers had four athletes named to the 2021 All-MIAC team — Senior Sydney Larson, Junior Rachel Rettmann, Graduate student Megan Rubbelke, and First Year Jenna Rubbelke, who was also named Rookie of the Year. 

Coach Maggie Meixl was also praised for her accomplishments this season in being named the Coach of the Year. Larson gained another accolade this season by being named a 2021 AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.

The winter cold couldn’t stop the heat coming from the women in Hamline athletics. Women’s Basketball just wrapped up a historic regular season with an overall of 18–6. They will host the first round of the MIAC tournament on February 22. This season marks their most wins in 36 years. 

The women’s hockey team also just wrapped their regular season with a conference record of 10–4. The junior forward Sophie Rausch was named the MIAC Women’s Hockey Athlete of the Week two separate times; the first was on November 22, 2021 and the second was on February 7, 2022. 

In the pool, a splash was made by Courtney Broyles. The diver was named MIAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week on January 18 and on February 19, she was named the MIAC Women’s Diver of the Year. Broyles is the first Piper to win the Athlete of the Week distinction for swim and dive in the past fifteen years, and the first Hamline athlete ever to be named Women’s Diver of the Year. This past week Broyles also won the 3-meter dive title, which hasn’t been won by a Hamline Athlete since 1991.

Indoor track is winding down and many wins took place, but the season is only getting started.

“We are gearing up for Indoor Championships, we are still progressing all the way through May.  There is plenty of work still to do, but we are in a good spot and I believe we should conclude the indoor season on a high note,” Coach Vaughn Tackmann said. 

The track and field team has had three MIAC Indoor Field Athletes of the Weeks honored this season. Jailyn Robinson has been named Athlete of the Week once for her performance in the long jump and Jenneel Rodney has been named twice for the weighted throw. 

There are high hopes for the spring sports coming up. The softball team kicks off their season on February 27 at the Bethany Lutheran Invitational. 

Lacrosse has not started yet and they are already getting recognized for their success. Last week, the Midwest Women’s Lacrosse Conference announced their preseason poll and the Pipers took the number one spot. 

“It confirms our goals for this upcoming season of continuing our legacy of representing Hamline University as the Midwest Women’s Lacrosse Conference Champions for the 5th year in a row,” Coach Karen Heggernes said. 

Hamline University has lots to look forward to and be proud of by way of the women athletes on campus, representing their Piper pride on and off the field and carving their names on records, awards and distinctions to last for years to come.