With Gopher blood, Hoosier guards await home town team

Two words most people don't often put together are Hoosier and Gopher. Ironically, the IU women's basketball team sports a pair of Hoosiers with Gopher blood. \nFor junior Kali Kullberg and sophomore Annika Boyd the terms "Hoosier" and "Gopher" are exactly what the pair describes themselves as. Despite their ties to Minnesota, Kullberg and Boyd will be proud to represent the Hoosiers tonight against their home-state school as IU welcomes Minnesota to Assembly Hall.\nKullberg, a native of Orono, Minn., has always envisioned herself playing basketball in the Big Ten. Recruited by numerous Division I programs, the 5-foot-8-inch guard took advantage of an opportunity to play for IU head coach Kathi Bennett and the Hoosiers.\n"The basketball environment at Indiana is unbelievable," Kullberg said. "It was really exciting to know I could be part of something special here."\nBoyd found her niche in Bloomington after Kullberg. On her first visit to IU, Boyd remembers the warm welcome she received from coaches, players and her hometown friend Kullberg.\n"On my official visit I had the time of my life with the team," Boyd said. "It just felt right to be here and share such a great experience with my best friend (Kullberg)."\nPrior to their arrival in Bloomington, Kullberg and Boyd were well aware of one another, both on and off the court. Kullberg starred for Orono High School and was one of five McDonald's All-Americans from Minnesota, while the 5-foot 10-inches Boyd, a two-time All-State selection, played for Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. \nAlthough the duo never faced one another in a high school game, both Kullberg and Boyd had a chance to participate on the same Amatuer Athletics Union team. \nOn the court, Kullberg and Boyd -- past and present -- have challenged each other to work hard in becoming better players day in and day out. In spite of playing different guard positions, the pair has understood the importance of making each other better overall players and will continue to do so for Bennett and the Hoosiers.\n"My relationship with Kal on the court is very professional," Boyd said. "We don't let up on each other when playing defense or offense just because we're good friends. We play hard against each other and take every opportunity to play the best we can."\nDuring their short time at home each summer, the pair savors their time together as well. Kullberg and Boyd enjoy roaming about downtown Minneapolis or catching some sun at Kullberg's home near Lake Minnetonka.\n"We also absolutely love spending time together, especially in downtown Minneapolis," Kullberg said. "In the fun part of Minneapolis, called Uptown, there are a bunch of fun stores, coffee shops and restaurants that we are sure to stop by when we are at home."\nFor the Hoosiers, Kullberg and Boyd have provided the squad with a boost on both sides of the ball. Bennett has been impressed with the play of her Gopher State guards and has seen vast improvement over the last few seasons. \nBoyd, an explosive scorer, has sparked the Hoosiers on the offensive end in place of last season's leading scorer, senior Jenny DeMuth -- recovering from a season-ending knee injury. Boyd set a career high against Purdue on Sunday with 19 points and five rebounds. \n"Annika can do things offensively that no one else on our team can do," Bennett said. "She has definitely improved since she's been here. She is really talented."\nKullberg has been riddled with injuries in each of her first two seasons, but has recovered completely to make an impact on the Big Ten's second best defense this season. \n"Kali is a great competitor and she makes thing happen," Bennett said. "She works harder than any other kid I have coached."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.