Olivia Denton prepares for a senior year that whenever it arrives, she will be ready

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Usually when the team needed a big defensive stop or an energy play to swing momentum, Olivia Denton was there to fill the role. Having been with the Western Oregon University women's basketball team for her entire collegiate career, Denton looks forward to finishing her fourth year strong in leading by example for the Wolves.

Last season was a tough one for Denton and the Wolves, but one that they know could've gone a lot of different ways. While the end result was six wins, WOU had five games in which they lost by five points or less and were within striking distance of several other games before they got away late. On the flip side of that, Denton knows it showed that this team could compete with pretty much anyone throughout the league and it was just a matter of executing on a few more plays down the stretch.

"After last season, I think what sticks out most is the games that we fought hard for a lead and then just kind of lost it just within the second half. There were a few games we had, (Concordia, Northwest Nazarene) where we fought all game and had the lead, and then just kind of lost it within the third or fourth quarter. Looking back, those were some games that showed us that we can compete with the top teams, we just have to compete all four quarters," Denton said.

Having been already deep into spring practices and workouts, it was a tough adjustment when March rolled around and everything was moved remotely.

"For us, the spring time is our grind time in the off-season. That is a time for us to see growth in strength, speed, skill… all around. I know for the coaches too, it's a great time for them to get in individual sessions with us to work on things to improve our game as an individual. Personally, spring time has always been the hardest part of the season but also the best. To have that taken away this past year, it put a damper on the way we were able to grind. Although a lot of us were still able to get in basketball workouts and lift, I know that it was hard for me personally to find a consistent place to be able to workout at. I found myself working outside a lot," Denton said.

Like many, the move to remote learning was certainly a challenge. To go from being in class for every course to then everything online has still been an adjustment even from the spring. With this now being an almost third term of online learning, students and professors are getting better at making the process as seamless as possible.

"Remote learning is tough! As a student, I like to be able to be in person and talk to my teachers as well as ask questions during class. I've taken summer term and now fall online. Summer term was a struggle considering it was my first term of remote learning but this term, I've started to get the hang of things and adjust to the remote learning. It's been a real blessing to have helpful professors during this time, even though I know this is a big change for them as well," Denton said.

Workouts also moved to being done remotely and for Denton, she remained in Monmouth and tried to get some basketball games in here and there just to keep ready for when regular practices would return.

"I was able to get in some basketball here and there. Staying in Monmouth all summer, it was kind of difficult to find a gym with hoops to shoot at. I mostly found myself getting shots up or ball handling outside at parks around town," Denton said.

Communicating remotely was done with her teammates as they adjusted to still staying on schedule while not being able to workout in person. Now with school back in session and practices taking place again, Denton has certainly enjoyed being around her teammates and getting back to the more normal part of life.

"It's been great to have everyone back on campus! I missed my teammates like crazy. Although we can't practice as a whole team right now, it's been nice to be able to workout with some of my teammates here and there!" Denton said.

While many adjustments were taken throughout the spring and summer, getting ready for all of the student-athletes to return to campus this fall was a big undertaking. Sometimes taken for granted of just making sure you always have your mask on, social distancing, keeping your hands always sanitized and that included after using the basketball each time. Just being more cautious of your surroundings overall.

"The biggest adjustments I've noticed as we've been moving back into athletics is the precaution the staff are taking for their athletes. Obviously, this is a big change for everybody, so just the adjustment of having to be extra cautious of germs and the virus. I've never had to clean a basketball after using it!" Denton said.

The realization of not having a winter season has all started to settle in for Denton. With the earliest possible time to play being in January, she's realizing just how much more she enjoys the game and will give that extra passion once the competition begins again.

"Not being able to play made me realize how much to appreciate what I have honestly. You know, a lot of athlete's kind of got the short end of the stick and did not get to have a season at all, so I'm just grateful we were able to finish out our game play. I believe we're hungry, especially us returners coming back, I think we're just ready to be able to play again. I know the freshmen want to experience college basketball this year as well so I think we're all just keeping our eyes on the prize right now and that is being able to play come January," Denton said.

The team will feature a good mix of returners and newcomers as nine return from last year and six will be on the team for the first time this year. While the time around each other has been limited so far, Denton knows the team will be hungry for the season and just excited to get the chance to play together.

"Like stated before, I think we're all just ready to play. Everyone seems antsy to get back at it. The new girls coming in, it's been nice to see their great work ethic already. Even just in running the mile last week, everyone was digging to get a great mile time and it just showed you the type of grind you want to see after being apart from each other for so long," Denton said.

Being one of just a few seniors on the team this year, Denton is ready to move into more of a leadership role. Having been a regular on the team since freshman year, Denton is coming off of a year in which she played in all 27 games as a junior that included seven starts. She tallied 120 points, 75 rebounds, 24 assists, 16 steals, a block, made 42 field goals and 14 three-pointers. Through her three-year career at WOU, the Auburn, Wash., native has played in 71 games for the Wolves and will be an important piece of the 2020-21 season.

"I believe as a senior, everyone kind of looks up to you, you've been here the longest, you know how things work. I do plan to take on a bigger leadership role this year as a senior. As a veteran, I feel like it's only right," Denton said.

Given the time over the past few months, Denton was able to try and work on some other parts of her game to elevate it even more for a final go-round. This has included some more shooting drills and ball handling that will help when the pressure gets on during games.

"During this time, I was mainly focusing on my shooting and ball handling. I wanted to become a more consistent shooter mainly from the mid-range area. Working on pull ups, working on good form, and getting my shot up rather than shooting flat. Ball handling wise, I wanted to work on being comfortable under tougher pressure," Denton said.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Olivia Denton: G; 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#11 Olivia Denton
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#11 Olivia Denton

Players Mentioned

#11 Olivia Denton