A 25-5 record, MIAC tournament championship title and a third-consecutive run in the NCAA Division-III tourney defined a St. Thomas women’s basketball team that found ways to win while key players sat injured on the bench.

The Tommies finished the season with a 19-3 record in MIAC play. That record was good enough for the Tommies to finish the regular season in a tie for second place in the MIAC and a 3-seed in the MIAC playoffs.

The team’s success did not come easy though. The Tommies had to reinvent themselves multiple times throughout the season as they dealt with injuries to two key juniors. Guard Jenna Dockter, who led the team in scoring last season, injured her knee during the off-season and was only available for the last eight games of the season. Forward Anna Smith, who led the team in rebounding last season, suffered a season-ending injury in the Tommies’ ninth game of this season.

“I think that shows the strength of our team,” center Maggie Weiers said. “We have people that can step up and fill those roles and be willing to play whatever role is needed to help the team improve.”

The team found its stride late in the season, winning ten of its last 11 regular season games. They carried that momentum into the MIAC playoffs where they tallied three more wins, including a 71-58 win over first-place St. Mary’s in the championship game to secure the MIAC postseason title and a berth in the Division-III NCAA tournament.

This was St. Thomas’ third-straight postseason MIAC title, and fourth in the past five seasons.

The Tommies’ play earned them the right to host the opening two rounds of the NCAA tournament. They defeated Loras College (Iowa) in the first round, but lost in the second round to Wis.-Whitewater.

Along with the success of the team came success for individual members as well.

Forward Taylor Young and center Maggie Weiers were both named to the MIAC All-Conference team and guard Kelly Brandenburg received an honorable mention.

Young, a senior, was named to the team in all four of her seasons at St. Thomas, while Weiers, a redshirt junior, was also named to the team after the 2011-2012 season.

“It’s cool, but it has more to do with the fact that every year we’ve had a pretty successful team,” Young said. “That kind of stuff doesn’t mean anything if you are a losing team.”

To go with her All-Conference honorable mention, Brandenburg, a senior, was named to the MIAC All-Defense team for the third-straight season.

Sophomore Courtney Pahl received the first-ever MIAC Elite 22 Award, which recognizes the athlete who has reached the pinnacle of athletics and academics. The award goes to the athlete in the MIAC championship game with the highest GPA.

After successful seasons and careers for St. Thomas, the Tommies say goodbye to three seniors. Forward Taylor Young, and guards Kelly Brandenburg and Annessa Hicks finished their final seasons for the purple and white.

“I really learned to appreciate every time you get to play,” Brandenburg said. “Whether it’s a really hard practice, or a really boring game, very few people get that experience, especially at this level, and there are tons (of people) that would kill to be in your shoes, so don’t take it for granted.”

Late this season, Weiers joined Young as two of 11 players in St. Thomas women’s basketball history to score over 1,000 points in their career. Young leaves the program with 1,388 career points, and Weiers will enter her final season with 1,038.

“The friendships I’ve made with my teammates and all the fun times we’ve had outside of basketball are definitely going to stick with me,” Young said. “Those will be lifelong relationships and memories, and they have helped me grow as a person.”

Despite the void left by this trio of seniors, the Tommies bring back a competitive, and now a healthy core of returners.

The Tommies will return six players next season that started a game for the Tommies this year. Weiers, who would have been a senior this year, received another year of eligibility after missing the entire 2012-13 season with a foot injury and will bolster the experienced Tommies.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Weiers said. “We have a lot of talent and experience coming back despite losing the seniors … It will be fun to see how it all comes together.”

Forward Anna Smith, who was named to the MIAC All-First Year team as a freshman, will also return after missing most of this year. Guards Jenna Dockter, Katie Stone, Laura Margarit and forward Elaine Warner will also be expected to make big contributions for the Tommies during the 2014-15 season.

Scott Sikich can be reached at siki3549@stthomas.edu