BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – Defending NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship runner-up Baker University was chosen third in today’s Heart of America Athletic Conference Coaches’ Poll, as voted on by the conference head coaches.
Baker wrapped up the 2015-16 season with its best season in program history with a 28-9 overall record and advanced all the way to the NAIA national championship game, becoming just the second team in Baker Athletics history to do so. The first was the 1986 Baker football team.
The Wildcats return nine Wildcats from a year ago including starters Sydney Buchel and Kelsey Larson.
Caitlin Modesett returns for the ‘Cats after averaging 10 points per game a year ago. Courtney Hoag will look to protect the rim, as the Wildcats next center. Hoag blocked 33 shots a year ago and averaged 3.4 rebounds per game.
Two new teams join the Heart in 2016-17 to bring the total to 14 teams, those two squads include Clarke University and Mount Mercy.
The top 10 qualifiers in the regular season will qualify for the Heart Men’s Basketball Tournament, with seeds 7-10 playing first round games on Monday, February 27.
The championship game will be played at the highest remaining seed one week later on Monday, March 6.
The 37th Annual NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship will be played March 15-21 at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings, Mont.
2016-17 Heart Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- MNU (9 votes) 163 pts.
- Central Methodist (4 votes) 151 pts.
- Baker (1 vote) 146 pts.
- Benedictine 144 pts.
- Grand View 103 pts.
- Culver-Stockton 98 pts.
- Missouri Valley 94 pts.
- William Penn 94 pts.
- Evangel 78 pts.
- Clarke 56 pts.
- Mount Mercy 56 pts.
- Avila 37 pts.
- Peru State 35 pts.
- Graceland 19 pts.
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