Raiders Picked Fourth in 2022-23 GPAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

Northwestern enters the season coming off a 24-9 campaign a year ago

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The (RV) Northwestern College women's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) this season by the league's head coaches, the conference office announced this morning.

The annual poll is voted upon and compiled by all 12 league coaches, points were awarded on an 11-1 basis and coaches could not vote for their own team. Three teams received at least one first-place vote, compared to just two a season ago.

For the second-straight season, the Red Raiders were picked to finish fourth in the conference. A season ago, they finished 15-7 to finish in a tie for third-place with Dakota Wesleyan. Northwestern received 97 points and were one point behind Dordt for third and two points back of Dakota Wesleyan for second.

Northwestern returns eight letter winners from the 2021-22 season, including three All-Conference performers in Molly Schany (Jr., Emmetsburg, Iowa), Maddie Jones (Sr., Twin Lakes, Iowa), and Taylor VanderVelde (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.).

The Morningside Mustangs are picked to repeat at regular season champions of the league, looking to defend both their regular season crown and conference tournament title this season. All six teams that earned berths to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament last season fell No. 1 through No. 6 in this season's preseason coaches' poll.

GPAC action is slated to begin on Wednesday, November 16 for the Red Raiders with a trip to Omaha, Neb. to battle the Flames of the College of Saint Mary at 6:00 p.m. from the Lied Fitness Center.

2022-23 GPAC Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll
Place	School	Pts (1st place votes)	2021-22 Record
1.	Morningside Mustangs	119 (10)	30-6 (20-2 GPAC); Reg. Season/Tournament Champ; NAIA Quarterfinals
2.	Dakota Wesleyan Tigers	99 (1)	27-8 (15-7 GPAC); NAIA Second Round
3.	Dordt Defenders	98 (1)	29-9 (16-6 GPAC); NAIA Runners-Up
4.	Northwestern College Raiders	97	24-9 (15-7 GPAC); NAIA Opening Round
5.	Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs	83	16-14 (13-9 GPAC); NAIA Opening Round
6.	Briar Cliff Chargers	79	18-13 (13-9 GPAC); NAIA Opening Round
7.	Jamestown Jimmies	61	18-13 (11-11 GPAC)
8.	Hastings Broncos	50	15-14 (11-11 GPAC)
9.	Doane Tigers	37	12-18 (6-16 GPAC)
10.	College of Saint Mary Flames	34	13-15 (7-15 GPAC)
11.	Midland Warriors	24	8-21 (4-18 GPAC)
12.	Mount Marty Lancers	11	2-27 (1-21 GPAC)

The season begins is slated to tip-off on Wednesday, November 2 when the Red Raiders travel down to the state of Kansas for two games, beginning with the Threshers of Bethel College out of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#4 Maddie Jones: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#34 Molly Schany: F; 6' 1"; Junior

#15 Taylor VanderVelde: G; 5' 8"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#4 Maddie Jones
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#34 Molly Schany
: 6' 1"; Junior
: F

#15 Taylor VanderVelde
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

Players Mentioned

#4 Maddie Jones

#34 Molly Schany

#15 Taylor VanderVelde

Players Mentioned

#4 Maddie Jones

#34 Molly Schany

#15 Taylor VanderVelde