The Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team is ranked 15th in the nation in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 poll, as announced Tuesday by the national office.
The Warriors, who advanced to the second round of the national tournament in 2011-12, are tied with MidAmerica Nazarene with 154 points in the nationwide poll of head coaches representing each of the conferences and unaffiliated groups. The first regular season poll will be released on Dec. 4.
Lubbock Christian was voted as the Preseason No. 1 team, and the Chaparrals are coming off a 28-6 season and their first Fab Four appearance. Lubbock Christian received nine first-place votes and 280 total points.
Shawnee (Ohio) State and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) round out the top three squads in the poll.
LCSC’s Frontier College foe Westminster College attained its highest-ever ranking with the No. 5 spot in the poll. The Griffins return Frontier Conference Preseason Co-Player of the Year Nicole Yazzie, and were chosen as the league’s top team.
The Warriors finished 29-5 in 2011-12 and ended the season ranked No. 12 in the country. Coach Brian Orr’s squad graduated four seniors from last year, but returns reigning Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year and Preseason All-Conference honoree Brittaney Niebergall to a young and talented roster.
Lewis-Clark State opens its 2012-13 season on the road against Northwest Nazarene on Oct. 31. The Warriors first home contest is on Nov. 16 against Trevecca Nazarene as part of the Twin Rivers Physical Therapy Classic.
2012-13 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll - (Oct. 23)
|
RANK |
LAST TIME^ |
SCHOOL (1ST PLACE VOTES) |
2011-12 RECORD |
TOTAL POINTS |
|
1 |
3 |
Lubbock Christian (Texas) (9) |
28-6 |
280 |
|
2 |
6 |
Shawnee State (Ohio) |
28-6 |
269 |
|
3 |
5 |
Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (2) |
28-6 |
266 |
|
4 |
13 |
Vanguard (Calif.) |
23-7 |
251 |
|
5 |
15 |
Westminster (Utah) |
23-9 |
240 |
|
6 |
11 |
Georgetown (Ky.) |
24-10 |
236 |
|
7 |
4 |
Westmont (Calif.) |
31-4 |
229 |
|
8 |
21 |
Rogers State (Okla.) |
22-12 |
216 |
|
9 |
10 |
Lee (Tenn.) |
30-4 |
209 |
|
10 |
1 |
Oklahoma City |
35-1 |
196 |
|
11 |
16 |
Xavier (La.) |
26-9 |
192 |
|
12 |
20 |
Biola (Calif.) |
23-11 |
174 |
|
13 |
25 |
Campbellsville (Ky.) |
20-13 |
171 |
|
14 |
8 |
Langston (Okla.) |
30-4 |
168 |
|
T15 |
12 |
Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) |
29-5 |
154 |
|
T15 |
22 |
MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) |
25-9 |
154 |
|
17 |
RV |
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
20-13 |
135 |
|
18 |
8 |
Cumberlands (Ky.) |
28-4 |
120 |
|
19 |
RV |
LSU Shreveport (La.) |
25-9 |
116 |
|
20 |
24 |
Avila (Mo.) |
22-11 |
106 |
|
21 |
RV |
Columbia (Mo.) |
24-10 |
101 |
|
22 |
NR |
Bethel (Tenn.) |
15-17 |
75 |
|
23 |
RV |
William Woods (Mo.) |
23-10 |
73 |
|
24 |
RV |
Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) |
26-8 |
71 |
|
25 |
NR |
Faulkner (Ala.) |
20-10 |
51 |
Others receiving votes: Loyola (La.) 37; Robert Morris (Ill.) 37; The Master’s (Calif.) 35; Lyon (Ark.) 32; Cumberland (Tenn.) 26; Talladega (Ala.) 25; Carroll (Mont.) 18; Oklahoma Baptist 14; San Diego Christian (Calif.) 8; Benedictine (Kan.) 5; Cal State San Marcos 3.
^ Ranking indicated in 2011-12 Postseason Top 25 Poll (March 26, 2012)
