"Those two are really gonna lead us": Lisa Bluder shares high praises for Iowa stars Hanna Stuelke and Sydney Affolter
Lisa Bluder is no longer the Iowa Hawkeyes coach but she can still map out the roles and responsibilities Hanna Stuelke and Sydney Affolter will play in the 2024-25 season. Bluder discussed during her brief appearance on B1G Tailgate the potential leaders the Hawkeyes will have in the coming season.
Bluder immediately commended Stuelke and Affolter for their growth in the previous season. The former Iowa coach expects the duo to not only capitalize on additional playing time take on leadership roles with the program.
"Yeah, well, you can't talk about this year without talking about Hanna Stuelke," Bluder said. "What a great opportunity she has as only a junior. And then, senior Sydney Affolter, oh my goodness, just came into her own last year, was in the All-Big Ten Tournament team when we won the championship and just playing so well."
"So, I think those two are really gonna lead us."
As Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin graduate from Iowa, Hanna Stuelke and Sydney Affolter return as the top scorers from their championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Affolter averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals while making 55.2% of her shots and 41.4% from beyond the arc. Stuelke, meanwhile, posted 14.0 ppg and 6.6 rpg on a 62.7% overall clip and 50.0% efficiency from the 3-point line.
Hanna Stuelke was drug tested after her Final Four performance last season
Stuelke opened her last season under Lisa Bluder with a stellar 22-point, nine-rebound outing against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights.
She she followed it up with 23 points against the UConn Huskies and Paige Bueckers.
As Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall shot poorly during the game, combining for a disappointing 14-for-38 from the field, Stuelke shined with the game-high on 75% shooting (9-for-12) but was surprised with a drug test after the game.
Nevertheless, Stuelke’s test result came back negative, clearing her of any suspicion of using banned substances.
During the regular season, Hanna Stuelke touched the 20-point mark seven times, including a 47-point outburst against Penn State, where she went 17-for-20 from the field (85%), setting the record for scoring in a single game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.