2023-24 NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll
SEWARD, Neb. – The returning talent and experience within the Concordia University Women’s Basketball program has resulted in a preseason national ranking. In the unveiling of the 2023-24 NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll on Wednesday (Oct. 25), the Bulldogs landed at No. 17 with 234 points. This marks the 15th time in Head Coach Drew Olson’s 18-year tenure that Concordia has been tagged with a preseason national ranking.
Among GPAC teams, the Bulldogs are ranked third behind No. 3 Dordt and No. 12 Briar Cliff. In addition, Jamestown is listed among others receiving votes.
Concordia welcomes back its top eight scorers, including all five starters, from the 2022-23 team that reached the second round of the NAIA national tournament. The headlining returner is three-time First Team All-GPAC guard Taysha Rushton (a two-time NAIA Honorable Mention All-American). Four of her teammates also earned all-conference awards last season: Abby Krieser (second team), Sadie Powell (second team), Kendal Brigham (honorable mention) and Mackenzie Toomey (honorable mention).
The 2022-23 team received votes nationally at one point but fell short of cracking the top 25. During the 2011-12 through 2019-20 seasons, Olson’s squads appeared in 97 consecutive NAIA coaches’ polls while garnering the No. 1 ranking a total of 16 times. The Bulldogs finished inside the top five of NAIA Division II in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Preseason rankings under Olson
2023-24: 17
2022-23: NR
2021-22: 9
2020-21: 11
2019-20: 1
2018-19: 1
2017-18: 3
2016-17: 14
2015-16: 4
2014-15: 9
2013-14: 5
2012-13: 1
2011-12: 22
2010-11: 11
2009-10: 22
2008-09: 7
2007-08: NR
2006-07: NR
Final end of season rankings under Olson
2022-23: NR
2021-22: NR
2020-21: 17
2019-20: 1
2018-19: 1
2017-18: 2
2016-17: 3
2015-16: 19
2014-15: 2
2013-14: 13
2012-13: 9
2011-12: 3
2010-11: NR
2009-10: NR
2008-09: 8
2007-08: 10
2006-07: NR