Women’s basketball pegged second in GPAC preseason poll
SEWARD, Neb. – Coming off a national runner-up season in 2014-15, the Concordia University women’s basketball team has been picked by league coaches to place second in this year’s GPAC race. With 101 total points and one first-place vote, head coach Drew Olson’s squad slotted in behind only defending national champion Morningside (121 points, 11 first-place votes) in the poll released on Wednesday.
Last season the Bulldogs went 35-3 overall, won the GPAC tournament and advanced to the NAIA Division II national championship game. Olson returns eight players from the 2015 national tournament roster, including starters in senior Becky Mueller and 2014-15 GPAC freshman of the year Mary Janovich. On the other hand, Concordia says goodbye to national player of the year Bailey Morris and second team All-American Tracy Peitz.
Over the past four seasons, the Bulldogs have won 85 percent of their league games (68-12). During Olson’s first nine seasons at the helm of the program, Concordia has won two GPAC regular-season titles (2012 and 2014) and two conference tournament championships (2012 and 2015). The Bulldogs have made national tournament trips four-straight years and in seven of the past eight seasons under Olson.
Mueller and the Bulldogs open up their season on Friday, Nov. 6 at the 16th annual Cattle Classic when they host Mayville State University (N.D.).
2015-16 GPAC women’s basketball preseason coaches’ poll
1. Morningside – 121 points (11 first-place votes)
2. Concordia – 101 (1)
3. Briar Cliff – 100
4. College of Saint Mary – 82
5. Northwestern – 75
6. Hastings – 64
7. Doane – 63
8. Dakota Wesleyan – 59
9. Mount Marty – 49
10. Dordt – 37
11. Midland – 30
12. Nebraska Wesleyan – 11