SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota was tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the Summit League women’s basketball championship.
The Coyotes won the regular season and conference tournament last season.
South Dakota State was second, followed by Western Illinois, Oral Roberts and North Dakota State.
NDSU won its first Summit League Tournament game since 2009 last year. Jory Collins enters his second year as the head coach of the Bison after going 11-19 overall, 7-9 Summit League in his first year.
The University of North Dakota came in 8th in the poll.
UND finished 15-15 overall last season and will be under the guidance of interim head coach Mallory Bernhard. Travis Brewster was let go after the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.
Fighting Hawks junior forward Julia Fleecs was named to Preseason All-Summit League Second Team. She joins former Wahpeton standout Tylee Irwin on the Second Team.
Irwin enters her senior season for South Dakota State coming off a junior year averaging 8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
The awards and polls are voted on by the head coaches, sports information directors and media members.
Preseason Poll
|
Rank |
School (1st Place Votes) |
Points |
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|
1. |
South Dakota (25) |
587 |
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|
2. |
South Dakota State (11) |
566 |
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|
3. |
Western Illinois |
389 |
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|
4. |
Oral Roberts |
376 |
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|
5 |
North Dakota State |
371 |
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|
6. |
Kansas City |
323 |
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|
7. |
Denver |
300 |
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|
8. |
North Dakota |
203 |
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|
9. |
Omaha |
124 |
2020-21 Preseason Summit League Player of the Year
Hannah Sjerven – South Dakota
Preseason All-Summit League First Team
Paiton Burckhard, South Dakota State, Jr., F (14.2 ppg/5.7 rpg/1.8 apg)
Chloe Lamb, South Dakota, Sr., G (11.2 ppg/3.3 rpg/1.5 apg)
Keni Jo Lippe, Oral Roberts, Sr., G (18.5 ppg/8.0 rpg/2.5 apg)
Mariah Murdie, Omaha, Jr., F (11.1 ppg/6.0 rpg/1.2 bpg)
Myah Selland, South Dakota State, Jr., F (13.8 ppg/5.0 rpg/3.0 apg)
Hannah Sjerven, South Dakota, Sr., F (12.2 ppg/7.3 rpg/2.0 bpg)
Preseason All-Summit League Second Team
Monica Arens, South Dakota, Sr., G (9.3 ppg/3.9 rpg/1.8 apg)
Julia Fleecs, North Dakota, Jr., F (12.2 ppg/4.8 rpg/0.7 apg)
Tylee Irwin, South Dakota State, Sr., F (8.5 ppg/5.1 rpg/2.3 apg)
Tori Nelson, South Dakota State, So., F (9.7 ppg/3.9 rpg/1.0 spg)
Evan Zars, Western Illinois, Jr., F (9.1 ppg/9.3 rpg/1.5 bpg)
