The Concordia University women’s basketball team is ranked 22nd in the NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Preseason Poll announced Monday. The GPAC has five nationally-ranked teams in the poll. Morningside, Northwestern, Hastings College and Sioux Falls join Concordia in the poll.
Concordia finished the 2008-09 season with an overall record of 26-9 with a 14-4 mark in the GPAC. The Bulldogs return three starters from last year’s squad, but must replace first team All-American Whitney Stichka and All-American honorable mention selection Melissa Tinkham. Stichka averaged over 18 points per game, and Tinkham added over 14 points per game for the Bulldogs last year.
Morningside College has been tabbed as the No. 1 team entering the season. The Mustangs tallied 15 first-place votes and earned 436 points. Morningside has spent the past 13 polls as the nation's top-ranked team, dating back to the 2008-09 preseason poll. The Mustangs bring back three starters from last year's undefeated national championship team.
After last year’s semifinal appearance, Northwestern College lands as No. 2 in the preseason poll with 413 points. Last season, Northwestern opened at No. 14 in the preseason poll and finished at No. 6 with a 26-8 record. This year, the Red Raiders return eight of their top-10 players and their top five scorers from last season’s squad.
Last season's national runner-up Hastings College enters 2009-10 ranked fourth with 389 points. The Broncos return all but two key players from a 27-8 squad and bring three starters back to the court.
Concordia opens the 2009-10 campaign with a 5 p.m. contest at York College on Oct. 31.