Women's Hoops picked third in NSAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll
The Bellevue University women’s basketball team, following back-to-back appearances in the North Star Athletic Association championship game, has been picked to finish third in a vote of the NSAA’s eight head coaches.
NSAA Release
2022-23 Roster
2022-23 Schedule
BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bellevue University women's basketball team, following back-to-back appearances in the North Star Athletic Association championship game, has been picked to finish third in a vote of the NSAA's eight head coaches.
The Bruins collected 47 points, finishing behind unanimous preseason favorite Dakota State University (64) and Mayville State University (55).
Valley City State University edged out Viterbo University 35-34 for fourth and Dickinson State University was close behind in sixth with 29 points. Presentation College and Waldorf University rounded out the poll with 15 and nine points, respectively.
Despite the graduation of four-time honorable mention NAIA All-American Elexis Martinez, the Bruins return six of their top seven contributors from last year's team including a pair of honorable mention all-NSAA selections in senior guards Faith Ross and Asha Scott.
Graduate student forward Laura Jurek started 30 games last season and fellow grad student guard Miranda Hennings emerged as a starter in the second half of the season for the Bruins. Senior guard Delaney VanBlaricon and sophomore guard/forward Ashtyn Arnold also return as two of BU's top bench options from a year ago.
Also back for Bellevue are a quartet of sophomores in guard Kaziah Terrell, forward/guard Aminah Hall, forward Shelby Little, and center Jillian Friedman.
The Bruins welcome three newcomers to this year's team in the form of a pair of freshmen and sophomore point guard Taylor Dement (Tulsa, Okla.) who transferred in from NCAA Division II Central Oklahoma. Joining the team from the high school ranks are guards Olivia Bigger (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Oasis HS) and Brooklyn Busby (Omaha, Neb./Omaha Northwest HS).
Bellevue tips off the 2022-23 season this weekend as they host the Chick-fil-A Classic. The Bruins face Midland University on Friday, Oct. 28 and Bethany College Saturday, Oct. 29. Both games begin at 5 p.m.