FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Thursday, December 8, 2016 | By: Steen Fredrickson, MSUB Media Relations Intern New Faces: MSUB Women’s Basketball Freshman Abbie Lohof
Hailing from Laurel, Mont., MSUB women’s basketball freshman Abbie Lohof is quickly learning her new role as a collegiate player with the Yellowjackets this season. MSUB SPORTS – Abbie Lohof may not have been tall enough at the time to score on the rafters of her family’s new unfinished basement, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t win. The Laurel, Mont., product and Montana State University Billings women’s basketball freshman found out early in her childhood that she had a knack for basketball and her love of the game only got stronger as the court she played on went from being cement to hardwood. With a large height advantage, Lohof’s brother Luke’s hoop was the rafter and hers was the old Play School hoop at the far end of the room. Hours upon hours were spent playing Rafterball game after Rafterball game and her competitive fire was lit. She didn’t always beat her brother, who is five years older, but she had her good games and she only got better the more they played. “Ever since I can remember, I’ve been following my brother around since he started playing,” said Lohof. “It was a little sad when we finished our basement and the ceiling went up.”
When it was time for her family to finish its basement and fill in the rafters, she moved on to a real court. Rafterball was replaced with team basketball but Lohof was already well-adjusted to the physicality of the game. Her skills were well-toned for her age, thanks to the hours spent in that basement and Luke for never taking it easy on his little sister. Lohof’s athletic ability stretched far beyond basketball, to track and volleyball, and her skill level was superior in every one. Laurel High School was gifted with a true standout in 2012 when she stepped foot in the gym ready to begin her prep athletic career. Volleyball was the first sport of the year and learning how to win and compete at a new level came immediately. The Laurel Locomotives volleyball team took the state by storm with Lohof playing her part, and won its first state championship in school history.
Lohof and her brother Luke sport their Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard jerseys while competing in a game of Rafterball.
There was no letdown of success when her first high-school basketball season rolled around either. When the final whistle blew to end the season, Lohof and the Locomotives were celebrating at center court hoisting a state championship trophy after beating Billings Central Catholic 33-31. Immediately following basketball season, Lohof was on to her next venture competing in high jump, long jump, shotput, and discus for the Laurel track and field team.
“It had always been a dream to play a college sport, and my junior year is when I really considered looking into what I could do after high school,” Lohof commented. “Coach Woodin was the first one to talk to me and it was an awesome feeling.” It didn’t take long for college coaches to notice the Laurel star. Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin sent a letter to Lohof on Sept. 1 of her junior year, the first day that coaches could have contact with recruits. “I had seen Abbie play many times and was always impressed with her work ethic and how aggressive she was at a young age,” Woodin said on identifying Lohof’s talent as a high-schooler. “She has the drive needed to improve and become a successful collegiate player. She is very coachable, has a passion for the game, and cares about others. She has a lot of natural leadership qualities, and I look for her to continue to improve.” With the possibility of a college career in front of her it was now only a choice of what sport to play. Though Lohof received offers for all three sports, luckily for the MSUB basketball team, she chose to revisit her longesttenured passion. Lohof’s verbal commitment to MSUB came before her senior year, which allowed for her to not stress over the future but instead enjoy the final few months of high school. So far with the ‘Jackets, Lohof has found her own on the court and as a member of MSUB’s community. She has seen action in six of the
Yellowjackets’ games, and scored her first collegiate points in a game against Point Loma Nazarene on Nov. 14 in California. Residing in close proximity to Billings gave Lohof an upper hand during the summer, as she was able to commute from Laurel to Alterowitz Gym on a regular basis to work on her game. One of her fellow local teammates was there by her side in the early going, and a new friendship formed before school got underway. “That was really helpful being able to get into the gym with somebody in the summer,” said fellow freshman and Billings Senior High School graduate Jeanann Lemelin. “As a teammate, Abbie really fits our motto which is ‘all-in.’ She’s always putting in extra reps and she is a good teammate, and that’s what is going to matter most down the road.” Lohof has also gotten involved in MSUB’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, serving as a team representative for women’s basketball.
Though Lohof is well into her debut season with MSUB, the road to becoming a collegiate athlete was not one without turmoil. In a sudden turn of events, in her junior year at Laurel, Lohof started struggling breathing while going through her usual activity-filled day. It took nine months to diagnose the problem but when the tests came back the conclusion was that she had developed a vocal cord dysfunction. She was suffering from an abnormality that closed her vocal cords when she was playing sports. “When I got to basketball season, it got pretty intense running up and down the court,” said Lohof. “I was a little worried that college coaches might lose interest at first. I didn’t have to take time off, but I could only play a few minutes at a time, which was weird after being used to playing the whole quarter. An immediate trip to Denver was taken to consult with a specialist. After a long period of frustration throughout the entirety of her junior season, a senior comeback was in store. A well-played senior year, free of pain and discomfort,
sent Lohof out on a high note and when it was all said and told she had 12 varsity letters. With breathing exercises and the knowledge of how to deal with flareups of her engrained dysfunction she is able to compete as hard as she can without fear of being limited. “I fight it every day, but I know how to control it now,” said Lohof. “Transitioning to the college game has been a learning experience, but I knew it was going to be a big change so I accepted that from the get-go.” Lohof is studying elementary education, with visions of pursuing a career in speech pathology. Managing her vocal cord condition has inspired her to help children who have speech impediments, and she hopes to serve as an example that everyone has the will power to overcome challenges. With her grandparents and parents Rusty and Rosanne in the stands and her hometown community right down the road Abbie Lohof has the perfect support system to see her compete throughout college. “When I was younger I never thought I’d go to school in Billings, but here I am and I’m really glad I chose to be close to home,” said Lohof. “I love how the team feels like a family, and even if you’re a recruit walking in the door you feel comfortable.” Each time the lights dim inside Alterowitz Gym for MSUB’s starting lineup introductions, Lohof is momentarily transferred back into her dimly-lit one-on-one games of Rafterball with her brother. The local product has come a long way since then, and will no doubt be a fixture on MSUB’s roster for the next four seasons.
Lohof (middle left) poses with MSUB’s 2016-17 freshman class Jeanann Lemelin (L to R), Sophia Wass, and Taylor Cunningham.
--@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--