The Kansas Wesleyan women's basketball ended first semester on a roll, winning seven in a row before departing for the Christmas break. The Coyotes are 11-3 overall, 7-2 in the Kansas Conference, and received votes in the latest NAIA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll.

Amanda Hill (JR/Rossville, Kan.) has played a pivotal role in the success. She leads the team in scoring at 17.1 points, ranks second in field goal percentage in the KCAC at 52.8 percent (95 of 180) and is just as accurate from 3-point range, shooting 52.5 percent (31 of 59). She scored a career-high 26 points in KWU's 79-62 victory over Southwestern on Saturday at Mabee Arena.

Hill's also the Coyotes' second-leading rebounder at 6.4 and has made huge strides in her play defensively as well.

She averaged 8.2 points and 4.1 rebounds last season, but came on strong at the end when she averaged 10.6 points.

Hill's joined on the team this season by her sister Caila, a freshman forward who's appeared in seven varsity games.

Amanda Hill discussed her improvement, playing with Caila and the Coyotes' success during a recent question and answer session.

Question: You've improved in every offensive category and on the defensive end of the floor. What did you do during the off-season that made a difference?

Hill: I worked every day during the summer with my sister, it was good to have her. We just worked in the gym on what I needed to work on. Me and (Coach Ryan) Showman sat down and talked about what I needed to do and what he expected of me this year. I knew I needed to work on my rebounding, my defense – that's something I really worked at – and let my offense come along. And I had my sister there to push me.

Question: Your offensive numbers are higher across the board. Was there a lot of shooting involved?

Hill: Yes. My dad (Brian) is really knowledgeable about the game, he taught me everything. He was always in there helping me and giving me tips and how to succeed. I'm really thankful for him.

Question: You frequently use the backboard when shooting, something you don't often see these days. How much do you work on that?

Hill: My dad taught me how to shoot it off the backboard and just getting it to fall. It's just something I've worked on. I think the backboard's really forgiving … it saves me sometimes. It banks it in there for me.

Question: What's it like playing with your sister?

Hill: It's really fun, she's my best friend. We got to play together in high school and that was like the best moment. Just getting her to come and play in college, too, is the best thing.

Question: Toughest question: who's the better player, you or Caila?

Hill (laughing): She's really good, I think Caila's really good. Obviously she's a freshman, she's younger, but when she's a junior I think she'll be doing the same thing, if not more.

Question: Kelcey Hinz (SO/Whitewater, Kan.) has given the team a dominant presence in the post, averaging a double figures in points and rebounds. What's it like having her on the team?

Hill: After we lost Virja (Lewis), Kelcey came in and definitely stepped up. She has been phenomenal, especially on the glass rebounding. She'll score 20 points like it's nothing and is really good to play with.

Question: The Coyotes have won their last seven games, what's been the key?

Hill: Just taking it one (game) at a time. Don't think about how many we've won, don't think about who we have next week. You've got to think about that practice that day and the next game, and just focus on them and meeting them and doing our part and let everything else just fall.

Question: You're a nursing major and they're typically extraordinarily busy. How do you find time for everything involved in your major and playing basketball?

Hill: Really good time management and having really understanding coaches. Showman's really good about sitting down and talking things through. If I have any conflicts we work around it. He's really good about it.

Question: What are your career plans after graduation?

Hill: I want to be an RN (registered nurse) and work in a hospital. I don't know about grad school, I'm still deciding, so we'll see.