Horns going through learning curves

By Lethbridge Herald on November 12, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s basketball team are going through a learning curve to start the Canada West season as they find themselves with a record of 1-5 righty out of the gate.

“We knew we were a team coming together and rebuilding,” said Dave Waknuk, Horn women’s head coach

“I feel like the progress is being made, it’s just a little bit slower than we wanted and you just have to continue to be patient as we go into the second semester.”

Playing tough teams such as the undefeated University of Calgary Dinos and University of Regina Cougars has contributed to the Horns struggles to find the win column.

“We’ve definitely played some tough teams, veteran teams, the teams that have been successful, like Calgary and Regina, in this league for awhile with all star-type players, ” said Waknuk.

Waknuk has felt the team has had their moments in games against tough opponents.

“We’ve had times where  it’s all clicked and it’s looked like it needed to be but we need to just  find more of those,” said Waknuk.

Losing  veteran players  Piper Dobbelsteyn and Kamryn DeKlerk to injuries have played a part in the Horns not getting as wins early in the season.

“ When you lose them to injury and don’t have them in the line-up, you’re obviously never going to be as good as you were when you would have them,” said Waknuk.

The Horns have seen growth from Dobbelsteyn and Courtney McKee in terms of their point production.

“You can see that they can score at this level, so I think that’s exciting,” said Waknuk

Consistency at the point guard position, especially with DeKlerk as a starter, has been another positive for the Horns.

“She’s been pretty solid through the games she (has) played for us,” said Waknuk.

Waknuk has seen growth in team chemistry and teamwork  to start the season with a roster that has half new players on it.

“We’re a new team and at times we look like a new team but at times I’m happy to say that we look like a team that’s coming together and forming together,” said Waknuk.

Waknuk wants to see continuous improvement, a consistent identity on offence and a group that is  defensively solid in the remaining six games before the break.

The Horns will look to get back in the win column this weekend when they host the University of Manitoba on Friday and Saturday at Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness.