CUW, BU favorites in NAC women’s basketball poll

Waukesha

Concordia Wisconsin and Benedictine were picked to win the 2010-11 Northern Athletics Conference North and South Divisions according to the coaches' preseason poll.

Alverno and Wisconsin Lutheran, both NAC tournament qualifiers from the South Division a season ago, rotate to the North Division this season, while Rockford--also a tournament qualifier--rotates to the South.

The CUW Falcons received nine first-place votes and 82 points ahead of two-time South champion Wisconsin Lutheran (one first-place vote, 70 points) who was picked to be runner-up in the North. Lakeland, winner of last season's NAC tournament, was third with three first-place votes and 69 points. Edgewood (58 points) was fourth, Alverno (44 points) fifth, Maranatha (23 points) sixth and Marian (18 points) was seventh to round out the division.

The Falcons have won the North for the last two seasons (since divisions were put in place) and won the NAC the two seasons prior, so it was not a surprise head coach Stacy Brunner-Jones' team was picked for another division crown. CUW was 17-10 overall last season and was 15-2 in NAC play for the best conference record in the league.

The Falcons return only two starters from last year's team, All-NAC honorable mention selection Tiffany Hendrickson (10.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Melanie Kulibert (6.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg). But sophomore Becky Gifford (15.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.8 apg)--the NAC's freshman of the year and an All-NAC second teamer in 2010--transfers in from Aurora.

In the South, Benedictine was the heavy favorite with 11 first-place votes and 73 points, in front of Concordia Chicago (58 points) and MSOE (two first-place votes, 49 points). Aurora (38 points) was picked fourth, Rockford (30 points) fifth and Dominican (25 points) sixth.

The Benedictine Eagles (15-12, 11-7 NAC) tied for second place in the South last season behind Wisconsin Lutheran, but with four starters returning and the Warriors moving to the North, the Eagles easily became the favorite. Returning starters include second team All-NAC selection Jenn Bren (11.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg), Tracey Walsh (10.4 ppg, 2.0 apg), Karyn Conerty (9.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Lidia Arias (5.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.8 spg).

Poll points were compiled on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for the North Division and a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for the South Division, with the 13 head coaches voting for all 13 teams.

The 2010-11 NAC Champion and automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Championship is determined by the eight-team conference tournament held February 22-26.

2010-11 NAC Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll

North Division

1. Concordia Wisconsin (9), 82 2. Wisconsin Lutheran (1), 70 3. Lakeland (3), 69 4. Edgewood, 58 5. Alverno, 44 6. Maranatha, 23 7. Marian, 18

South Division

1. Benedictine (11), 73 2. Concordia Chicago, 58 3. MSOE (2), 49 4. Aurora, 38 5. Rockford, 30 6. Dominican 25.