2021-22 GPAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
SEWARD, Neb. – After placing second in the GPAC in 2020-21, the Concordia University Women’s Basketball program landed in exactly that same spot in the 2021-22 GPAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll released on Wednesday (Oct. 20). The Bulldogs earned 110 points and one first-place vote in the poll. The preseason NAIA National Coaches’ poll is scheduled to be unveiled next Wednesday (Oct. 27).
Under the direction of Head Coach Drew Olson (16th season), Concordia has won a combined 12 GPAC championships. Prior to last season, the Bulldogs swept GPAC regular season and postseason titles in four straight campaigns. After graduating a decorated senior class in 2020, the Bulldogs reloaded last season behind star guards Taylor Cockerill and Taysha Rushton while making a push to the NAIA national quarterfinals.
The 2021-22 squad will again lean upon the explosive scoring abilities of Rushton, who is joined by returning starters in Bailey Conrad, Mackenzie Koepke and Rylee Pauli. Concordia brings back 11 players from last season’s national tournament roster. The Bulldogs finished 2020-21 at 22-9 overall with four of the losses coming at the hands of GPAC favorite Morningside. Two of those defeats came down to buckets in the final seconds. The highlight of the campaign was the win over fifth-ranked Marian University (Ind.) in the NAIA national round of 16.
For a detailed season preview, click HERE.
2021-22 GPAC Preseason Poll
1. Morningside – 121 (11)
2. Concordia – 110 (1)
3. Dordt – 90
4. Northwestern – 87
5. Briar Cliff – 85
6. Jamestown – 72
7. Dakota Wesleyan – 71
8. Midland – 50
9. Hastings – 41
10. College of Saint Mary – 23
10. Doane – 23
12. Mount Marty – 19