Iowa women’s basketball center Ava Heiden is more confident as she gets ready for her sophomore season. The six-four native of Oregon appeared in 28 games as a freshman and averaged five points and just over two and a half rebounds per game for a Hawkeye team that finished 23-11 and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Summer workouts are ongoing in Iowa City.

Heiden has been working with and playing against incoming freshman Layla Hays. The 6-5 Hays was the player of the year in Alaska as a high school senior.

Heiden says she and Hays are making each other better.