Mayville, N.D. -  Coming off of the best run ever made by Mayville State University Women's Basketball in school history, the most decorated basketball player to put on a Comets' uniform graduated, and with a new coach at the helm, returners like Mackenzie Hughes and Jes Mertens knew they had big shoes to fill entering the 2024-25 season.

Hughes and Mertens, who have already had great careers, are having their best season yet. The seniors are both currently in the NAIA Top 5 in different individual statistical categories.

Hughes is 5th in scoring with 21.8 points per game and 6th in points scored as she has 371 on the season so far. She is also ranked 8th in field goals made with 132-283. Hughes had a career high 37 points against Valley City State this year and is close to passing 1500 career points; she sits at 1432 in her 3 and a half years as a Comet.

Mertens is first in the nation in steals, averaging 6.1 per game and has 100 on the season. She is 7th in assists, racking up 96 so far and averages over 8 per game. Mertens scored her 1000th career points earlier this year against the University of Minnesota-Crookston.

Mertens has had 6 double doubles this season and one triple double. She had a career high 15 defensive rebounds against No. 24 Jamestown earlier in January. 

The duo leads the conference in player of the week awards. Hughes has been named NSAA Offensive Player of the Week four times and Mertens has been named NSAA Defensive Player of the Week five times this season. Mertens was named NAIA National Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week once.

The Comets' duo isn't the only thing clicking for Mayville State. Senior Alex Page is second in scoring for the Comets as she has put up 253 points so far. She is averaging 14.9 points and 7 rebounds per game and is a big contributor to the all around success for the Comets.

Mayville State is currently receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll and are tied for 3rd with Jamestown in the NSAA conference standings. The No. 24 Jimmies & the Comets will have a showdown for second place tomorrow in Jamestown; tip off is set for 5:30pm.

Comet Athletics broadcaster, Nick Paulsrud, sat down with head coach Ryan Carpenter & seniors Mackenzie Hughes and Jes Mertens to talk about their electric senior year run so far: