Dakota
State University, the two-time defending women's basketball
champion of the Dakota Athletic Conference, has been tabbed
No. 1 in the DAC's preseason poll. The Lady T's picked up
seven of the eight first-place votes and had 49 points in
the poll.
"We're
pleased the conference has that kind of
respect for our program,"
said Lady T's Coach Jeff Dittman.
"We hope we can win our third
conference title in three years, a feat
accomplished only by the University of Mary". Dittman
also noted that the coaches' poll gave DSU a
unanimous vote. With Dittman barred from voting for his own
team, his first-place vote went to the S.D. School of Mines.
The Lady
T's had a loop-leading 10-4 record and amassed a 21-11
record, including another appearance in the NAIA National
Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa, in March. This season, the
Lady T's are loaded with veterans from that national
tournament team. They include seniors Nicole Geraets, Jill
Hansen, Angela Carr, Laura Tewes, Jessica VanLoy and Maria
Gengler.
The
remainder of this year's poll is (including last year's
conference and overall records):
|
2007- 08 Women's |
2006-07 |
2006-07 |
2006-07 |
Total |
|
Basketball
Preseason |
DAC |
Overall |
DAC |
Voting |
|
Coaches' Poll |
Record |
Record |
Place |
Points |
|
Dakota State (7) |
10-4 |
21-11 |
1st |
49 |
|
South Dakota Mines (1) |
8-6 |
20-11 |
2nd tie |
40 |
|
Mayville State |
7-7 |
16-13 |
4th tie |
33 |
|
Jamestown |
7-7 |
14-15 |
4th tie |
31 |
|
Black Hills State |
7-7 |
17-13 |
4th tie |
29 |
|
Minot State |
7-7 |
21-9 |
4th tie |
21 |
|
Dickinson State |
2-12 |
5-23 |
8th |
11 |
|
Valley City State |
8-6 |
18-11 |
2nd tie |
10 |
"The
conference should be very competitive with most teams
returning a number of starters from last year's squads,"
added Dittman. S.D. School
of Mines is anchored by Melanie Vedvie, the league's MVP and
a first-team All-American.
Mayville brings back three starters, led by first-team All-DAC
and honorable-mention All-American Laura Big Crow. Jamestown
has the entire lineup back from last year, with third-team
all-conference forward and DAC defensive player of the year
Guilli Variano leading the way.
The
fifth-ranked BHSU Lady Yellow Jackets have back a number of
familiar faces, including second-team all-conference center
Lacey Haughlin at Spearfish to guide them. Minot's Beavers
have first-team All-DAC and honorable-mention All-American
Kendra Meyer returning, along with Brittni Walker.
Dickinson
State will be relying on the veteran play of Brittany Mesa,
the team's leading scorer a year ago. For Valley City State,
the Lady Vikes are dependent on Jessica Tykwinski, the DAC's
freshman player of the year for the 2006-07 season.
The Lady
T's begin play Nov. 1, taking on perennial NAIA power
Hastings College at Hastings, Neb. The next day, the Lady
T's match up against Baker
(Kan.) College at Hastings. Their
first home game is against Morningside College on Wednesday,
Nov. 7th, at 7:30.
|
