OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team was picked fifth in the 2017-18 Summit League Preseason Poll, the conference office announced Wednesday. The poll was tallied in a vote of the league's head coaches, communications personnel and media.
South Dakota State was the favorite to win the Summit League, garnering 16 first-place votes for 380 points. Western Illinois was second and received 12 first-place votes for 372 points. South Dakota came in third with 307 votes, followed by Oral Roberts (238) in fourth. Omaha was fifth in the poll with 185 points, while North Dakota State came in sixth with 150 points. Denver (143) and Fort Wayne (60) rounded it out in seventh and eighth place, respectively.
The Mavericks are scheduled to host Avila University in an exhibition game on Saturday, Nov. 4. Omaha begins its regular season at Bradley on Friday, Nov. 10.
SUMMIT LEAGUE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 2017-18 PRESEASON POLL
1. South Dakota State (16) - 380 points
2. Western Illinois (12) – 372 points
3. South Dakota – 307 points
4. Oral Roberts – 238 points
5. Omaha – 185 points
6. North Dakota State – 150 points
7. Denver - 143 points
8. Fort Wayne – 60 points
2017-18 SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS
First Team
Allison Arens (South Dakota) – G, Jr.
Morgan Blumer (Western Illinois) – G, Sr.
Emily Clemens (Western Illinois) – G, Sr.
Madison Guebert (South Dakota State) – G, Jr.
Macy Miller (South Dakota State) – G, RJr.
Ellie Thompson (South Dakota State) – F, Sr.
Second Team
Ciara Duffy (South Dakota) – G, So.
Taylor Higginbotham (Western Illinois) – G, Jr.
Faith Ihim (Oral Roberts) – F, Sr.
Maria Martianez (Oral Roberts) – F, Jr.
Taylor Thunstedt (North Dakota State) – G, Jr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Emily Clemens, Western Illinois
