INDIANAPOLIS - The Bellarmine University and Drury University women's basketball teams have been selected to win the East and West Divisions, respectively, for the upcoming 2016-17 Great Lakes Valley Conference season, it was announced by the league office Wednesday. The annual GLVC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll was voted on by the league coaches and ranks the top-eight teams in each of the Conference's two divisions.
Defending GLVC Champion Bellarmine (24-4, 15-3 GLVC in 2015-16) earned 10 of the possible 15 votes as Conference policy prohibits coaches from casting a vote for their own team. The Knights amassed 115 points to take the top spot in the East and have recently been ranked No. 13 in the country by Division II Bulletin (DIIB). Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Chancellor Dugan, Bellarmine returns senior forward Sarah Galvin, who was named an All-GLVC First Team honoree, the GLVC Championship Tournament MVP and a D2CCA All-Midwest Region First Team member last year. She was also just named a DIIB Super 16 Selection.
Last season's East Division Champion Lewis University (28-3, 18-0) garnered the remaining six first-place votes and racked up 110 total points, 29 markers ahead of third-place Saint Joseph's College (81). The Flyers were perfect in league play last year and earned the No. 1 seed for the GLVC postseason event. In addition, they earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in program history and fourth year in a row. Back on the sidelines is reigning GLVC Coach of the Year Kristen Gillespie, and leading the DIIB's Preseason No. 15 squad on the court will be graduate student and 2014-15 GLVC Player of the Year Jamie Johnson accompanied by 2015-16 Freshman of the Year and All-GLVC pick Jessica Kelliher.
University of Southern Indiana (80) and University of Indianapolis (62) were picked fourth and fifth, respectively. McKendree University (48) and University of Wisconsin-Parkside (48) tied for sixth, followed by University of Illinois Springfield (24).
For the second year in a row Drury (26-5, 16-2) was the unanimous pick to win the West Division, totaling all 15 first-place votes possible and 120 points overall. The Lady Panthers, who are No. 19 in the Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll, won their third-straight West Division title in 2015-16 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 13th time in its 16-year history, progressing all the way to the regional championship game. The team will be led by fourth-year head coach Molly Miller and paced by All-GLVC standout senior Alice Heinzler in the backcourt.
Quincy University garnered second place in the poll with 103 points and the remaining first-place vote, while Truman State University (84) and Rockhurst University (82) secured the top-half spots in the division. University of Missouri-St. Louis (64), Maryville University (43), William Jewell College (41) and Missouri S&T (31) rounded out the field.
The 2016-17 GLVC women's basketball season officially opens Friday, Nov. 11, with nine teams in action.
The complete 2016-17 GLVC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll follows:
| 2016-17 Women's Basketball East Division Preseason Poll |
|
School |
Votes (First Place) |
| 1. |
Bellarmine |
115 (10) |
| 2. |
Lewis |
110 (6) |
| 3. |
Saint Joseph's |
81 |
| 4. |
Southern Indiana |
80 |
| 5. |
Indianapolis |
62 |
| 6. |
McKendree |
48 |
|
UW-Parkside |
48 |
| 8. |
Illinois Springfield |
24 |
| 2016-17 Women's Basketball West Division Preseason Poll |
|
School |
Votes (First Place) |
| 1. |
Drury |
120 (15) |
| 2. |
Quincy |
103 (1) |
| 3. |
Truman State |
84 |
| 4. |
Rockhurst |
82 |
| 5. |
Missouri-St. Louis |
64 |
| 6. |
Maryville |
43 |
| 7. |
William Jewell |
41 |
| 8. |
Missouri S&T |
31 |