Photo by Dan Ross South Central Calhoun graduate Haley Birks takes a shot for Northwestern College during a regular season game.

SIOUX CITY — Haley Birks realized back in January that the pieces to a memorable season for Northwestern College were in place.

Birks, a junior from South Central Calhoun, helped the Red Raiders reach the Fab Four of the NAIA Div. II Basketball National Championship here Monday night, as No. 2 Concordia advanced with an 84-77 victory.

Northwestern, ranked 11th entering the tournament, ended the year 25-9 overall. This was the 10th time they have reached the semifinals in program history.

“At the beginning of the year, we never expected to be in the national semifinals, so it was fun to be able to make it this far,” Birks said. “The Tyson Center has such an amazing atmosphere and it is awesome being able to have so many fans there to support us.

“We beat Morningside, Hastings and Dakota Wesleyan during January, who are all top teams in our conference. We were playing really good basketball at that point and the goal of being at the top of the conference and making a statement at nationals became even closer.”

For the second consecutive season, Birks made the all-GPAC honorable mention squad. She averaged over eight points per game and almost five rebounds, adding 53 assists, 41 blocks and 17 steals.

During this past year, Birks set season-bests for points vs. Presentation (15) and rebounds vs. Concordia (13). She reached double figures in scoring 12 times, including 14 in the national semifinals.

“After three years of playing, I have adjusted to the physically and fast pace of college basketball,” Birks said. “I have grown in my ability to play both the post and guard positions. I have also earned to trust in the program, my teammates and the process.

“My mental toughness has also expanded because of my coaches and teammates pushing me to give and be my best every day.”

Last year, Northwestern made the second round of the national tournament after missing the event in 2015. Birks averaged 12 points and five rebounds as a sophomore after posting 9.2 points and almost four boards her first year at the school.

Birks is hoping that steady progression deeper into the postseason will result in more success next season.

“As a team, we have to remember the heartbreak, but also the excitement of the national tournament and make it our top goal to reach the semis again and then the national championship next year,” she said. “It will be important for me to focus on the little details to become the best player I can be and to finish my basketball career strong knowing I did everything I could to prepare myself.”

She has started 80 games and played in 95 with the Red Raiders following her standout career under her father, Dave Birks, at South Central Calhoun.

“Some of my top moments from this year included playing in San Diego over Christmas break, wins against Morningside and Dakota Wesleyan, and of course, our run at nationals,” Birks said. “Any time I got to spend with my teammates was memorable. We have a really fun team and enjoy being around each other.”

Former Newell-Fonda all-stater Renee Maneman completed her four-year career at Northwestern with 1,033 points, a school-record 793 assists, 204 steals and 542 rebounds. She ranks 11th on the steals list, tied for 26th in rebounds and tied for 29th in points scored all-time.

Paige Danner and Maneman are the lone seniors on the roster for Northwestern. Birks and classmates Darbi Gustafson and Kassidy De Jong will be counted on to fill their roles both on and off the court moving forward.

“Renee and Paige were the best senior leaders I could have asked for,” Birks said. “They always gave their best. There was never a doubt that they weren’t 100-percent committed to everything they did. They were great role models for me.”

Prior to coming together, Birks and Maneman spent three seasons competing against each other in the Twin Lakes Conference.

“I’m really happy we finally got to play with each other,” Birks said. “Renee is by far the best point guard in the nation, and we will miss her so much next year.”

Birks will enter her senior season with 931 points, 428 rebounds, 96 assists, 96 blocks and 88 steals in her career.