Senior forward Kjersten Bakke is the type of player that every coach loves to have on their team.
'Kjersten is tremendous,' head coach Lisa Stone said. 'She is the workhorse of the team. She brings 150 percent every single day. She is the definition of a team player.'
Last weekend, the team needed some extra size to match up with a bigger opponent. Coach Stone decided to insert 6'4' sophomore Danielle Ward into the starting lineup for the 5'11' Bakke. While most players would get upset, Bakke helped Ward overcome the nerves of her first start.
'She told her, 'You need to be starting. We need an inside presence. We need you out there,'' Stone said.
On the court, Bakke specializes in defense and rebounding and it is no surprise the Badgers have improved tremendously in both areas since she has received more playing time. They are currently out-rebounding teams by an average of 10.2 boards per game and have improved their defense by allowing 7.3 points less per game than last season.
Despite being team captain and an emotional leader for the women's basketball team, Bakke's competitiveness carries over to the classroom, having been honored as a Academic All-Big Ten team member.
'I was really interested in getting a solid academic foundation,' Bakke said.
While looking for colleges, many of the Ivy league schools were drooling over a player with her on and off-court talents. Wisconsin is a great school, but Harvard and Yale are two of the finest schools. So, what would make someone as concerned with academics as Bakke, choose to go to Wisconsin?
'In the end, growing up 20 minutes away, I wanted to be a Badger from the time I was eight years old,' Bakke said. 'This school, this town, and the people just make this a hard place to stay away from. There is definitely something special about the University of Wisconsin.'
Her intense desire to improve on the court and in the classroom speaks to her competitive nature.
'I just want to be better than the person next to me, whether it's on the basketball court or someone sitting next to me in class during an exam,' Bakke said. 'A little bit of success feeds that mentality. Academically, I have been fairly successful and athletically, this team has been successful and we are starting to take on that mentality. '
Bakke's intensity seems to have rubbed off on her teammates. The team has improved tremendously and are off to a 4-1 start heading into a battle with in-state rival Marquette Friday. The Golden Eagles (3-1) are off to a good start as well. They are a tough interior team and the Badgers will need Bakke's leadership and interior toughness.
For Bakke, this season is about building something special in Madison.
'It means a lot to me to kind of take this team and turn it into the first big-time Wisconsin program.' Bakke said.
The talent is there. If some of the younger players look to Bakke and adopt her unselfish, but competitive attitude, she could get her wish.
