In just two short years at USD, Jeana Hoffman has seen her share of highs and lows. In a year in which she has experienced both extremes, she has placed herself in the conversation of top players in USD women's basketball history.
After breaking her left wrist in two places in the North Central Conference Tournament her junior year, Hoffman was forced to sit and watch as the Coyote women fell in the first round of the regional tournament. The team, which had faced injury problems throughout the season, had to dwell on the disappointing year all offseason as it prepared for its last chance at NCC and Division II glory.
"It was pretty frustrating last year at this time," Hoffman said. "I was coming off of surgery and with it being my shooting wrist, I wasn't sure if I would lose some of my shooting ability."
By setting the USD single season three-point field goal record with 115 and helping her team to a 33-2 record and a Division II National Championship appearance, it seems as if Hoffman was able to recover just fine.
Hoffman, a native of Mitchell, S.D., transferred to USD along with her sister Jenna from Division I Texas State after their sophomore year. During her junior year as a Coyote, she was second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per contest.
Hoffman attributes her year of experience in the system and the play of her sister Jenna with helping her bring her game to the next level during her senior year.
While averaging 17.6 points per game, Hoffman led the Coyotes during the team's assault on the USD record books. The senior guard hit timely shots throughout the season to help the Coyotes set the school record for the longest winning streak at 31 games.
Former USD coach Chad Lavin said he has never seen someone with such clutch shot-making ability.
"It's almost uncanny," Lavin said. "I couldn't count the number of shots she hit at the end of the half. I think she's someone who relishes the competition and because she's always able to keep her composure, she's able to knock down big shots."
The personal accolades piled up for Hoffman during the season. She earned MVP honors in both the NCC regular season and postseason and was named a WBCA/State Farm All-American.
Hoffman led the Coyotes to an undefeated NCC season and the school's first NCC Tournament Championship in the final year of the league. The team claimed the North Central Region title and advanced to its first Elite Eight appearance.
Hoffman said she continues to feel the sting of the loss in the title game, but said she will be able to realize the success that she and her team had in the future.
"For awhile you dwell on that last game, that last loss, not ending the way you wanted it to," Hoffman said. "Down the road we'll really appreciate all the success we had and records we set."
Though his team came up just shy of its ultimate goal, Lavin said Hoffman has the true heart of a champion.
"Jeana is just a very talented player on both ends of the court," Lavin said. "She's a great leader. She brings a sense of calmness to the team and is always in control. Jeana definitely embodies all of the qualities you look for in naming a female athlete of the year."
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