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From JV to HC: Basketball unites
By Cheryl Heitzman
Collegian Reporter
Suitemates and freshmen Jodie Haines and Nikki
Wustman share many things together, basketball being the most
important, with country music a close second.
Together, the pair has confronted the new
life of college-the late-night studying, the exams, the cafeteria
meals and the parties. They also share a passion for basketball,
as they decided, in tandem, to attend Hillsdale.
"I liked the coaches and the academic
programs," Haines said of the college. "But when I
found out about Nikki wanting to go to school here, I liked
it even more."
Their history together dates back to seventh
grade, when Haines and Wustman started playing on the same Amateur
Athletic Union team. For six years they traveled side-by side
and became friends on a successful AAU team from Grand Rapids.
Haines joined the team when she was only 10
years old with the support of her father, the athletic director
at her future high school, who occasionally helped with the
team.
"Our team was so close, it was probably
hard for Nikki to come in," Haines said. "But all
the parents were very supportive."
Originally, the two were looking at different
schools: Lake Superior State and Cornerstone University for
Wustman, and Hope College for Haines. But on the first day verbal
commitments were allowed, they called each other to discuss
it.
"We made the decision to come to Hillsdale
together," Wustman said. "It has definitely made the
transition easier to have a friend here."
Haines agreed, and said she appreciated Wustman's
companionship as well.
"I mean, you always feel awkward not
knowing anybody, but we were awkward together," Haines
said. "Plus it helped to make the two-hour drives to visit
[Hillsdale] better. We really got to know each other."
Both Wustman and Haines said their parents
have been encouraging throughout their careers, and they both
expressed gratitude for their support.
"They encouraged me to go to a good academic
school," Haines said. "My mom is a teacher, so that
was always important to her."
Beside education, basketball is an important
aspect of daily life that drives her to succeed. And, together,
the two have started to construct what could one day be a large
mantle for themselves on a winning basketball team.
Wustman leads the team in almost every important
statistical category: steals, rebounds, points, blocked shots
and minutes.
Haines is close behind at second in steals,
assists and minutes, and third in points per game. She also
leads the team in three-point percentage, shooting 41 percent
from behind the arc.
With all those drives back and forth from
home and to school, and the tedious minutes spent together in
the dorm room, that time together is starting to appear worthwhile
on the court. Haines has an obvious connection with Wustman
while playing ball. They know where each other are positioned,
so passes are crisp and fluid.
"I think it's easier to play with someone
I know," Wustman said. "I know how she likes to play,
and we know where each other wants the ball."
Wustman seems cool and under control on the court, but Haines
said she can always tell when her friend is struggling.
"We know each other's emotions well.
I can tell she's frustrated before she even says anything,"
Haines said.
Finding early success on the court has elevated
the expectation the women carried with them to Hillsdale only
months ago.
"I think we'll make it to the tournament
this year," Wustman said. "If we do, it'll prove that
even though we are so young, we're able to compete and fight
for the conference title. I don't think many people thought
we'd be in a position where we could make it to the conference
tournament."
When they were still seniors in high school
last year, Haines and Wustman saw Hillsdale play in the first
round of the national tournament in Indiana where the Chargers
lost.
No longer spectators, Wustman and Haines both
want to make that experience a reality, as soon as possible.
"Haines has exceeded our expectations,
and she works well together with any of our players. And if
Wustman hasn't earned some honors by the time she leaves, I'll
be very surprised," coach Claudette Charney said. "These
are kids you a build a program around."
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