Catching Up With The Ovner Sisters-From Sweden To The Park City

Though both have similar things to say about each other, Purple Knights' head women's basketball coach Jen Carlton can spot the difference between the two. "They are way more different than alike, which is very weird to say about twins."  Carleton says Louise is a detail oriented learner.  Says coach Carleton, "She asks 75 questions for every new item we introduce in practice or games."  Carlton describes Evelyn as the opposite, liking to learn through experience.   "She sees how things are going and finds a way to get an answer regardless of whether or not she has tried it before."

The Ovner's story begins in Vallentuna, Sweden, where they started playing basketball in 2003. Louise was the first to pick up the game competitively after playing on the playground. Not to be out done by her younger sister, Evelyn joined Louise's team six month later and the two have been together ever since.

Both felt there was more to learn on the court and as people and believed they would further develop in the United States. They found an agency that helps place students from Sweden with coaches in the US.  While it is common for ice hockey players to leave Sweden and pursue professional careers in North America, the basketball community is much smaller, making it less common for players to travel and play overseas.  Because of this, their transition to the US has not gone unnoticed back home. Having played at the highest level in Sweden, they have a small fan base who follow their careers here in the US.  

Recruited by former head coach Stephanie Del Preore, when Evelyn and Louise arrived and found Jen Carlton had taken over the program during the summer after Del Preore departure for a Division I assistant's position.  Though they were playing under a different coach than anticipated neither were fazed.   Evelyn commented, "I didn't think about it. It was still a new coach I had to impress."  Carlton saw their potential immediately stating, "When they arrived on campus they were incredibly eager to be part of an American university.  I knew both had potential to fill into their role here if they were willing to make adjustments and put in the time and effort to learn a new style of play." 

Despite a new coach and new surroundings, Evelyn and Louise still had each other.  Louise says "We've always played together, being here with her feels like it's supposed to, and she pushes me like nobody else can."  Apart from loving to play together, they love to play against each other, "It gets competitive' there's a different kind of pride in beating your sister," Louise says.  Evelyn reiterates the same feeling, "It is comfortable playing together; you have someone who understands you and pushes you, and of course you always want to beat your sister." But when they aren't with each other you can find them hanging out with other Swedish students at UB and keeping up with their native tongue.

Aside from new surroundings the sisters also picked up a new sport, as both sisters joined the cross country team here at UB becoming two-sport athletes.  They took on the role of a two-sport athlete in stride, as nonchalantly Louise says, "You make it happen, go out and do your best, that's it."  Evelyn feels the same, "I don't think about it too much, you just do, it's competitive."  Carlton is also their cross country coach and believes they taken on the responsibility gracefully, "They are both natural competitors so them running cross country was no real adjustment for them.  They are both incredibly fit and love the training aspect of both sports.  They are also phenomenal students as well, they both balance their time very well."   

As a junior, Louise was named captain.  She talked about using her past experiences to help her fill the new role and develop her leadership skills stating, "Experiencing a different coaching style and having different team captains have been two big things. Seeing how they react and deal with people has helped a lot, but also realizing through trial and error how to work with people."

Evelyn feels she has developed leadership skills through listening and learning from others, not seeing things from only one perspective.   Now, as seniors, they have a larger responsibility, leading their teammates.  

For their senior year Carlton appointed the Ovner twins as co-captains, she has seen how they motivate their teammates and knows they are both up for the task. Carlton stated, "They both have different leadership styles.  Louise will talk everyone through everything to make sure it is exactly right.  Evelyn will get in your face and make sure it's done right.  They both are incredible leaders in their own way and they make our team better every day."

Louise and Evelyn as seniors and captains have had an immediate impact on the 2016-2017 season.  Thus far in the season the women's basketball team is 5-1 overall, just having defeated the number one ranked team in NCAA Division II women's basketball, Bentley University.  Carlton believes their impact runs deeper than wins and losses saying, "They may not be our stat leaders but they have both learned to look past all of that and focus on what they can control.  They are in control of their attitudes when things are going great or need a pick up."

As their senior year begins they have started looking to their future and what it may hold, though they have similar ideas and feelings, they plan to go separate ways.  While both want to play overseas, Evelyn has set her sights on playing in Spain or Italy; Louise hopes to play in Australia, South Africa, or New Zealand.  Not letting their college education go unused they do have career dreams outside of basketball.  Louise would like to earn her master's degree in International Relations and work in peace building, women's rights, or anything that will help make our world a stronger and safer place.  Evelyn has tinkered with the idea of getting a master's degree also and possibly working in marketing.  Whichever path they take their impact here at UB will never be forgotten, as sentimentally Carlton says, "Because of the Ovenr twins,we have something concrete and sturdy to build something special here.  Our success as a whole wouldn't be possible without the blood, sweat and tears that these two women have put in during their time here."

Looking back on their career here at Bridgeport they appreciate the experiences they have been given.  UB is quite different from Sweden, Louise explains stating, "It's a contrast, you get different perspectives, and it helps you get to know yourself and others in different ways." Athletically, they have loved learning a new style of basketball, socially they have enjoyed the diversity, and academically they appreciate all they have been given.