Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Rachelle Bennett, MSU-N Women's Baksetball

In a short amount of time, Northern's Rachelle Bennett has went from being a newcomer from the Class C ranks to one of the Skylights most experienced players

Class C girls basketball is a long way from the Frontier Conference. And growing up in Joilet, Mont., is a big difference from growing up in Havre. But already into her junior year, Montana State University-Northern guard Rachelle Bennett has made adjusting to the differences look easy.

Bennett was a three-sport star at Joilet before arriving in Havre three seasons ago. She helped her team to back-to-back Class C state tournament appearances and earned a scholarship to play for the Skylights in the process.

And the talented 5-8 guard wasted little time making the necessary adjustments. She played as a true freshman, and as a sophomore, was a key bench player for a Skylight team which reached its second straight Frontier Conference semifinal.

Now, Bennett is a junior starter, and though things have changed, they have relatively stayed the same. Bennett has had little trouble adjusting to life on the Hi-Line, which probably isn’t all that different from growing up on her family’s ranch in southeastern Montana. She’s also had little trouble adjusting to being a leader and one of Northern’s few veteran players. In her third season at MSU-N, Bennett is averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game for a 13-2 Northern squad which has climbed to No. 18 in the NAIA, and is currently tied atop the Frontier standings.

Bennett has become a leader for MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat, on and off the floor, and her hard work and dedication to a Northern program which is certainly climbing the ladder of success, is paying dividends this season. Away from basketball, Bennett is an elementary education major, her favorite band is Mumford and Sons and her favorite movie is Harry Potter. On the floor, Bennett has not only become an important piece in Northern’s offense, but she’s one of the best lockdown defenders in the Frontier Conference.

Here's five questions with MSU-N's Rachelle Bennett as the Skylights prepare to face Western Thursday night and Westmintser on Saturday.

HDN: The Skylights are off to a great start. Are you surprised given how young and new the team is?

Bennett: “Once all the girls got here, I had a sense we could get to where we are now. We just all get along so well, on and off the court. It’s crazy how fast we developed this chemistry we have. We work really well together, our young players are playing really well. We’ve just come together really fast.”

HDN: How has your role changed with this team, now that you’re one of the veterans?

Bennett: “This year is definitely different. I’m a starter now, I play more minutes and I guess I have more of a scoring role this year. I really enjoy being an older player and having more responsibility. I’m just trying to help my team out any way I can.”

HDN: How much has your game improved from when you were playing Class C basketball up until now?

Bennett: “I think early on, I struggled with being aggressive enough. I think the biggest change now is, I look to score more, I can come out and be aggressive offensively. I just have a lot more confidence now.”

HDN: Your profile on the MSU-N website says your first job was as a ranch hand?

Bennett: “Yes, I grew up on a ranch, pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. I loved it. I loved the work. I still do. I love going home and working for my dad. That’s how I grew up.”

HDN: The Skylights have two really big home games this weekend. The students will be back, you’re ranked No. 18 in the country. You must be really excited for that?

Bennett: “We’re really pumped for these games. They are against two really good teams, and they’re big games. It will be really exciting. We’ll have all our fans back and that really motivates us. The support we get at Northern is so amazing.”