There's a different energy surrounding the Lakeland College women's basketball team this season.

The Muskies are building off of a 17-9 season last season. Their 11-6 record in the Northern Athletics Conference last season was good for third place in the North Division.

Lakeland head coach Teri Johnson believes this year's team has the leadership and experience for a serious push at the NAC title.

"When you become a senior, reality hits that it's your last go-around," Johnson said. "You want it more. It brings a completely different determination to the game than when you're younger, because this is your last chance. Every team in the NAC is probably talking about a conference championship, but we truly believe it's possible for us this season."

Eight players return from the 2008-09 team, which lost to Aurora in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

"I feel like this is a different team," Johnson said. "The last two years we've been fairly young, and last year we were starting three freshmen at times. This year, it's nice to have that leadership and experience. Four seniors is big for us, but it's nice to have the supporting role behind them with experience, and it should help us win games this season."

The Muskies will benefit from the return of three seniors from last season's squad after returning just one the year before.

Senior forward KC Blahnik (Gladstone, Mich.), a second-team all-conference selection, led the team in scoring (11.7), rebounds (7.8) and steals (42).

"KC Blahnik will be a key to our success," Johnson said. "She can score and rebound and definitely has some high goals set for herself. She has worked very hard during the offseason, and is ready for a great senior year. "

Blahnik will be joined in the starting lineup by fellow senior Chelsea Coenen (Wrightstown, Wis.). One of Lakeland's vocal leaders, she averaged 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in her first full season.

"Chelsea has been more focused and determined this season." Johnson said. "She brings intensity every day, and that's a great asset to have in a program."

Senior forward Katie Kilton (Waukesha, Wis.) should be in for an increased role this season after averaging 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per game last season.

"Katie snuck up on us last season," Johnson said. "She knows what her strengths are and she plays into those."

Terra Hiben (Boyceville, Wis.) returns this season after averaging 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 24 starts in the 2007-08 season. One of the Muskies' top defenders, Hiben's play will be defined by more than stats.

"It's great to have Terra back this season," Johnson said. "She brings energy on defense for us, but she's capable of scoring because her defense dictates her offense."

Junior Mary Dennewitz (Chicago, Ill.) and sophomore Becca Tilleman (Green Bay, Wis.) will see most of the time at point guard this season. Dennewitz is Lakeland's second highest returning scorer with 7.7 points per game last season, and she can play either guard spot.

"Mary has worked hard in the offseason and it shows," Johnson said. "She's another one of our top defenders, but can score as well."

Tilleman drew starts in 24 of 26 games in her first season and scored 4.1 points per game. The coaching staff will be looking for continued improvement in her and fellow sophomores Erin Cepa (Glenview, Ill.) and Becca Paulson (Clayton, Wis.) as the year progresses.

"Our sophomores matured throughout last year," Johnson said. "Last season they were young and maybe didn't know what the college game was like, so they just played hard. We're expecting the same from them this year, to just go out and bring that energy and play hard every game."

The Muskies have bolstered their frontcourt depth with the addition of freshman Becky Mayo (Gladstone, Mich.), Leah Eisner (Stevens Point, Wis.) and Vashia Gordon (Green Bay, Wis.), along with the addition of Lakeland volleyball player Allison Davis (Sheboygan, Wis.). All four are at least six feet tall, and the group is expected to take some of the pressure in the inside off Blahnik and Coenen.

"Our freshmen are learning and progressing fairly well," Johnson said. "We have more height this year that makes us stronger and allows us to pull KC and Chelsea to the perimeter a little more. "

Lakeland will again be tested quickly this season. After opening at Carroll on Nov. 16, the Muskies will play four games in the next eight days, including the annual Lakeland Tip-Off Tournament.

"This is the second year we've opened the year with Carroll before the tip-off tournament," Johnson said. "It's nice to play on the road and have a challenge to open the year before coming home and playing in front of our fans."

After five consecutive games against NAC opponents, Lakeland will travel to California during winter break for back-to-back games against Occidental College and University of Redlands in Los Angeles and Redlands, respectively.

"We have to stay focused," Johnson said. "We'll be taking a look at the schedule and breaking it down into different segments and focusing on bits and pieces to come up with our goals rather than looking at the schedule as a whole."

Faller, a defensive back who is relied on heavily by the Muskies, recorded a team-high seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and recovered two fumbles in Lakeland's 28-0 home victory over Aurora on Saturday. The sophomore's performance helped the Muskies wrap up their third shut-out of the season and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs.

"It's an interesting situation because he's only a sophomore, but we rely on Tony for emotion in practice and games," defensive coordinator Colin Bruton said. "The intensity and swagger he plays with is so important to our defense. He plays with a chip on his shoulder."

This season, Faller leads the team with 66 tackles (42 solo) as a player who can move up in the box like a linebacker.

The Oostburg, Wis., native has started all 20 games in his career with the Muskies.

"He's a versatile safety," Bruton said. "He can play at the line of scrimmage and is the deep safety in our Cover-2 scheme. He's an underrated athlete who moves well and is physical even with his wiry frame."

Faller also has four pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception this season.

Faller is a fitness studies major.

Did you know?

Favorite TV show: "Two-A-Days"

Favorite website: Facebook

Favorite musician: Lil' Wayne

Favorite food: Spaghetti

Favorite athlete: Ray Lewis or Ed Reed

Favorite sports team: Wisconsin Badgers

For me to improve as a player I need: Speed and strength

Heroes/influential people: Grandparents and parents

Sport I'd be playing if I wasn't playing football: Basketball

Greatest Lakeland memory: Beating Concordia, Wis., in 2008 and starting as a freshman

In an 11-day span, Paulus collected first-team All-Northern Athletics Conference and AVCA Division III All-Midwest Region honors, as well as CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 5 women's volleyball third team accolades.

Paulus became a three-time first-team all-conference honoree, and received her second selection to the All-Midwest Region team and third all-region mention.

The senior outside hitter recorded team highs with 418 kills and 550 digs for the season in leading the Muskies to their third consecutive league title and second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

In addition to setting program records for digs and digs per set in one season, Paulus also broke the school record for career digs, shattering the previous mark of 1,384 in early September.

The , Wis., native concludes her career with 1,882 digs and 1,357 kills, which is second in Lakeland history.

Paulus was named the NAC Player of the Year in 2007, and is a four-year starter and a three-time captain.

She is majoring in sociology with minors in criminal justice and ethnic & gender studies. Paulus is also president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and a member of the Criminal Justice Club.

Did you know?

Full name: Brittanie Kathleen Paulus

Career ambition: Work in dispatch at a police department and eventually work with juvenile delinquents

Favorite TV show: "House"

Favorite movie: "Twilight"

Favorite musician: I could never pick an absolute favorite

Favorite sports team: Green Bay Packers

Heroes/influential people: Dad and Grandpa - taught me my work ethic

Greatest sports accomplishment: Winning the NAC three times and appearing in the NCAA Tournament twice

Sport I'd be playing if I wasn't playing volleyball: Soccer

Favorite Lakeland class: Intro to Sociology

Lakeland (6-4, 6-1 NAC) shutout Aurora on Saturday, 28-0, and Benedictine beat Concordia University Chicago, 15-14, to give the Muskies the outright NAC title and the league's automatic berth in the NCAA playoffs.

Lakeland and CUC were tied atop the NAC standings headed into the final game, and CUC had the tiebreaker over Lakeland because the Cougars beat the Muskies earlier this year.

The 32-team playoff field will be announced on Sunday at approximately 2 p.m. local time on ESPNews. The Muskies, winners of four straight, will have a first-round playoff game on Saturday, Nov. 21.

It is the second trip to the playoffs for Lakeland, the first coming in 2005 when the Muskies lost a first-round game at Augustana (Ill).

Lakeland kicked off 30 minutes before CUC on Saturday. After the Muskies' win, the internet audio from the CUC game was played over the public address system as Lakeland players, their families and friends gathered on the field to listen to the end of the CUC-Benedictine game. A wild celebration ensued when Lakeland knew it had clinched the conference title and playoff berth.

"It was the greatest feeling I've ever had in my sports career," said senior wide receiver Jacob Heinemeyer. "I could not stop running around the field. I can't even describe it - it was just a pure feeling of excitement."

"Unbelievable - I don't think it has really set in yet," said senior linebacker Blaine Hornes. "Everybody thought there was no chance that Benedictine would win, but that's why you play the game."

The NAC title is the first for Lakeland, and the fourth conference title for the Muskies in six seasons.

"A lot of people wrote us off going into this season because we lost some great players," Lakeland head coach Kevin Doherty said. "We were resilient throughout the entire year. It means so much to the program and to these kids that we won the conference and we're going to the playoffs. I'm really proud of these kids - they deserve it."

It was a storybook ending for a team that was 0-3 following a tough non-conference schedule.

"The way the season started, a lot of the guys were gloomy," Hornes said. "It shows how we handle adversity. We made some changes, came together and got better each week. If everyone makes sure they are doing everything in their power to get things done, good things will happen. I truly believe the best team in our conference is going to the playoffs."

Lakeland's defense dominated in recording its third shutout of this season. The Muskies had 10 tackles for loss, and sophomore defensive back Tony Faller finished with a team-high seven tackles and two fumble recoveries.

"Our defense played awesome all game and kept us in it," Doherty said. "We had to be a little patient on offense. We made some mistakes and penalties in the first half that set us back a little bit. We regrouped ourselves at halftime and got focused. It was an emotional game, a roller coaster ride. Once we got going, we didn't let up."

Both teams struggled on offense in the first half as neither stretched a drive beyond seven plays in the first quarter. With a scoreless first half looking likely, Faller recovered an Aurora fumble on the Aurora 26 yard line. Lakeland scored the game's first points on the ensuing offensive play on a short screen pass from junior quarterback Jake Dworak to sophomore running back Jeremy Williams.

"That turnover and score before halftime really set the tone for us in the second half," Doherty said. "When we got the ball after holding Aurora to three-and-out to start the second half and our offense scored on our next drive, we didn't look back."

"We were talking before the game and we thought it might take awhile to sustain a drive," said Heinemeyer, who finished with two catches for 70 yards. "We were all jacked up, and we have been a slow starting team. But our defense was there for us, and the offense came on strong in the second half."

After forcing on Aurora punt on its first possession of the second half, Lakeland needed just three plays for its second score of the game. Adam Miller exploded out of a pile for a 36-yard carry that set up a 20-yard touchdown from Dworak to junior wide receiver Roberto Flores two plays later.

Dworak found Flores again on the next possession for a 19-yard score as Lakeland took a 21-0 lead. The drive was set up on a 65-yard pass to Heinemeyer, who tip-toed down the Lakeland sideline to the Aurora 21.

Lakeland outgained Aurora 371 yards to 202 despite running five fewer total plays. Dworak finished 13-20 with 231 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Muskies pounded out 175 rushing yards on 37 carries. Four Muskies picked up at least 37 yards and freshman Justin Laack scored his second touchdown of the season with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

"It's an interesting dynamic because each of the last three years we've gone into the final week playing for a share of the conference title or a playoff berth," Lakeland head coach Kevin Doherty said. "This year's game is similar to two years ago where if we win we can share the conference title but with some help we can go to the playoffs."

Lakeland (5-4, 5-1) is currently tied for first place in the NAC with Concordia Chicago. The Cougars hold the tie breaker for the automatic berth into the NCAA Division III playoffs after defeating the Muskies 41-32 on Oct. 17. Concordia Chicago closes out its season on Saturday against Benedictine, and a Benedictine win coupled with a Lakeland victory would send the Muskies to the NCAA playoffs for the second time in school history.

"Right now we're just focusing on controlling what we can control," Doherty said. "We can't control who wins or loses other than Aurora and Lakeland. We're just focusing on cleaning up our game from Saturday and preparing physically and emotionally for this week's game against Aurora"

Along with potential conference and playoff implications, Lakeland will be honoring its 10 seniors in a ceremony before the game.

"It's going to be a big game emotionally for our seniors," Doherty said. "We've got some guys that are two and three year starters while others have been role players who have stepped up into a starting capacity this year. You wouldn't know it by looking at them that this is their first year starting, they look like they've been playing the last two or three years. When their opportunity came they took the most of it."

Last weekend, the Muskies held Concordia Wisconsin to 204 total yards of offense in a 32-16 victory. It was Lakeland's second consecutive Cheese Bowl victory after dropping seven of eight previous match ups.

Quarterback Jake Dworak (DePere) threw for two touchdowns and ran a quarterback sneak for a third score as the Muskies put up 21 points in the second quarter to lead 23-13 at halftime.

"The Concordia Wisconsin game was a huge win for our program," Doherty said. "The kids were looking forward to that game for a while as does any team against their rival. It really set the tone to give the guys belief that if we play strong we can still share the conference title and that we're deserving of that."

Aurora enters this week's match up having lost two in a row and three out of its last four. After leading the NAC last season with a perfect 7-0 record, the Spartans have struggled to find a balance on defense. They have allowed over 30 points per game in four conference losses yet have outscored Maranatha and Rockford by a combined 72-0 in two conference victories.

Lakeland running back Jeremy Williams (Zion, Ill.) could be in for another big game this week. Second in the NAC in rushing, the sophomore has totaled 20 or more carries in seven of nine games this season and faces a rushing defense this week that has given up 126 rushing yards per game this season.

"They're very experienced on defense so up front is going to be a big test for us," Doherty said. "They're athletic and physical with some players in the secondary that can run."

Despite Aurora's struggles this season, none of the coaches or players will be overlooking the inaugural NAC champions on such an important day to the Lakeland football program.

"Every team that Aurora's played, they might not have won every game, but they've played every team extremely tough,"Doherty said. "Watching film, there are times where they've lost that they probably should have won. Their record doesn't truly indicate the type of team that they are."

Lakeland football senior Jacob Heinemeyer (Shiocton) has been named to this year's D-3 Senior Classic, scheduled for December 5 in Salem, Va.

Heinemeyer, a wide receiver, is one of 90 players selected to represent the 238 Division III football programs in a North vs. South all-star game conducted by the Collegiate Development Football League.

"This is a big honor. They only pick 45 per team, so I'm very excited about it," Heinemeyer said. "This is a chance to play in one more game. I've played in all-star games before but nothing of this magnitude."

Headed into this weekend's regular season finale, Heinemeyer has 96 total receptions for 1,693 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he has rushed for 270 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, he has been one of the Muskies top return threats, amassing 1,155 kick return yards with one returned for a touchdown and 827 punt return yards with two scores.

He is tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions this season with nine and has set a career-high in both receptions (46) and yards (733).

"We're really proud of Jake," Lakeland head coach Kevin Doherty said. "It's a great honor for him to be selected for this game. He's been a valuable part of our program because we can use him in so many different ways. He is a solid three-year starter and two-year team captain who does everything we ask of him on and off the field."