SEWARD, Neb. – After finishing second in the conference for the 2023-24 season, similar expectations have been placed upon the shoulders of Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball and Head Coach Drew Olson. The league office announced the Bulldogs were picked to finish in second, with 106 points (three first-place votes) in the 2024-25 GPAC Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll on Wednesday (Oct. 16). According to the poll, the top four in the conference are Dordt, Concordia, Dakota Wesleyan and Northwestern.
The program welcomes back two-time Second Team All-GPAC honoree Abby Krieser and two-time honorable mention award winner Kendal Brigham. The Bulldogs will also have veterans such as Megan Belt, Abby Heemstra and Kristin Vieselmeyer back on the hardwood. After stellar four-year careers, NAIA Second Team All-American Taysha Rushton, First Team All-GPAC honoree Sadie Powell and honorable mention choice Mackenzie Toomey have moved on.
Under Coach Olson, the women’s basketball program has achieved incredible success including one national championship, two national runners up claim, five national tournament semifinal advancements, 16 national tournament berths and 12 combined GPAC championships. The Omaha, Neb., native Olson has enjoyed six seasons that have eclipsed the 30-win mark. Concordia looks to return to the final site of the national tournament, where it most recently appeared in 2024 (round of 16). Last year’s record ended at 27-7 overall and 17-5 in the conference as the NAIA playoff run came to an end (73-66) against the University of Providence (Mont.).
The Bulldogs will start the new campaign with the Cattle Classic on Nov. 1-2. Inside Friedrich Arena, Concordia will take on Oklahoma City University and Southern Oregon University.
2024-25 GPAC Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll
--First-place votes in parentheses
1. Dordt – 114 (6)
2. Concordia – 106 (3)
3. Dakota Wesleyan – 100 (1)
4. Northwestern – 93 (1)
5. Briar Cliff – 88 (1)
6. Morningside – 71
7. Doane – 61
8. Hastings – 55
9. Mount Marty – 39
10. Midland – 32
11. Waldorf - 20
12. College of Saint Mary – 13