Mavericks Picked Sixth in Summit League Preseason Poll
Oct 10, 2023 | Women's Basketball
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Omaha women's basketball team was ranked sixth in the 2023-24 Summit League Preseason Poll, as announced by the league Tuesday morning. The preseason poll and awards were tallied in a vote of the league's head coaches, sports information staff, and media.
Last year's Summit League conference and tournament champions, South Dakota State, is the preseason favorite collecting 27 of the 36 first place-votes. Trailing behind them is North Dakota State with five first-place votes. South Dakota, North Dakota, and Oral Roberts round out the top five.
The Mavericks finished last season 15-17 with a 8-10 record in Summit League competition. Key returners including Grace Cave, who led all returners in minutes played (950), rebounds (157), assists (90), and blocks (11). Aaliyah Stanley, is the top returning scorer after putting up 362 points and a team high .341 three-point attempt. Last season's breakout rookie, Kennedi Grant will also make a return. She put up 71 assists, 309 points, 101 rebounds, and a team high 52 steals during her debut season.
Joining Omaha this season are four newcomers consisting of three freshman Lucy Ghaifan, Cora Olsen, and Alison Stephens. The Mavericks welcome one senior transfer Liz Martino.
Head coach Carrie Banks enters her fourth season at the helm, carrying a 29-49 record into the campaign. Assistant coaches Ansar Al-Ameen, Jim Wiedie, and Jaelyn Richard Harris all enter their first seasons with the team.
2023-24 Preseason Summit League Player of the Year
Kacie Borowicz, North Dakota
2023-24 Preseason All-Summit League First Team
Kacie Borowicz, North Dakota, Gr., G (19.4 ppg/4.0 rpg/4.8 apg/82.4 FT%)*
Hannah Cooper, Oral Roberts, Gr., G (20.4 ppg/4.6 rpg/3.9 apg/2.5 spg)
Elle Evans, North Dakota State, So., G (13.8 ppg/4.7 rpg/83.7 FT%)
Heaven Hamling, North Dakota State, Sr., G (17.2 ppg/ 5.1 rpg/ 3.9 apg)
Grace Larkins, South Dakota, Jr., G (18.3 ppg/8.7 rpg/4.9 apg/2.1 spg)
Paige Meyer, South Dakota State, Jr., G (9.6 ppg/3.2 apg/2.4 rpg/54.5 FG%)
2023-24 Preseason All-Summit League Second Team
Carley Duffney, South Dakota, So., F (12.2 ppg/4.2 rpg/88.5 FT%)
Makayla Minett, Denver, Gr., F (8.1 ppg/8.8 rpg/2.9 bpg)
Tori Nelson, South Dakota State, Sr., F (7.8 ppg/3.1 rpg/2.2 apg)
Emma Smith, Denver, So., G (13.4 ppg/4.8 rpg/2.9 apg/80.7 FT%)
Ruthie Udoumoh, Oral Roberts, Gr., G (11.8 ppg/7.5 rpg/2.5 apg/2.0 spg)
Poll (1st) | Total Points | 2022-23 Record (SL)
1. South Dakota State 577 (27) 29-6 (18-0)
2. North Dakota State 526 (5) 18-12 (12-6)
3. South Dakota 485 (2) 14-16 (10-8)
4. North Dakota 434 19-13 (11-7)
5. Oral Roberts 357 (1) 12-19 (8-10)
6. Omaha 263 15-17 (8-10)
7. Denver 233 (1) 12-18 (8-10)
8. St. Thomas 203 13-17 (7-11)
9. Kansas City 174 9-23 (3-15)
Last year's Summit League conference and tournament champions, South Dakota State, is the preseason favorite collecting 27 of the 36 first place-votes. Trailing behind them is North Dakota State with five first-place votes. South Dakota, North Dakota, and Oral Roberts round out the top five.
The Mavericks finished last season 15-17 with a 8-10 record in Summit League competition. Key returners including Grace Cave, who led all returners in minutes played (950), rebounds (157), assists (90), and blocks (11). Aaliyah Stanley, is the top returning scorer after putting up 362 points and a team high .341 three-point attempt. Last season's breakout rookie, Kennedi Grant will also make a return. She put up 71 assists, 309 points, 101 rebounds, and a team high 52 steals during her debut season.
Joining Omaha this season are four newcomers consisting of three freshman Lucy Ghaifan, Cora Olsen, and Alison Stephens. The Mavericks welcome one senior transfer Liz Martino.
Head coach Carrie Banks enters her fourth season at the helm, carrying a 29-49 record into the campaign. Assistant coaches Ansar Al-Ameen, Jim Wiedie, and Jaelyn Richard Harris all enter their first seasons with the team.
2023-24 Preseason Summit League Player of the Year
Kacie Borowicz, North Dakota
2023-24 Preseason All-Summit League First Team
Kacie Borowicz, North Dakota, Gr., G (19.4 ppg/4.0 rpg/4.8 apg/82.4 FT%)*
Hannah Cooper, Oral Roberts, Gr., G (20.4 ppg/4.6 rpg/3.9 apg/2.5 spg)
Elle Evans, North Dakota State, So., G (13.8 ppg/4.7 rpg/83.7 FT%)
Heaven Hamling, North Dakota State, Sr., G (17.2 ppg/ 5.1 rpg/ 3.9 apg)
Grace Larkins, South Dakota, Jr., G (18.3 ppg/8.7 rpg/4.9 apg/2.1 spg)
Paige Meyer, South Dakota State, Jr., G (9.6 ppg/3.2 apg/2.4 rpg/54.5 FG%)
2023-24 Preseason All-Summit League Second Team
Carley Duffney, South Dakota, So., F (12.2 ppg/4.2 rpg/88.5 FT%)
Makayla Minett, Denver, Gr., F (8.1 ppg/8.8 rpg/2.9 bpg)
Tori Nelson, South Dakota State, Sr., F (7.8 ppg/3.1 rpg/2.2 apg)
Emma Smith, Denver, So., G (13.4 ppg/4.8 rpg/2.9 apg/80.7 FT%)
Ruthie Udoumoh, Oral Roberts, Gr., G (11.8 ppg/7.5 rpg/2.5 apg/2.0 spg)
Poll (1st) | Total Points | 2022-23 Record (SL)
1. South Dakota State 577 (27) 29-6 (18-0)
2. North Dakota State 526 (5) 18-12 (12-6)
3. South Dakota 485 (2) 14-16 (10-8)
4. North Dakota 434 19-13 (11-7)
5. Oral Roberts 357 (1) 12-19 (8-10)
6. Omaha 263 15-17 (8-10)
7. Denver 233 (1) 12-18 (8-10)
8. St. Thomas 203 13-17 (7-11)
9. Kansas City 174 9-23 (3-15)
Players Mentioned
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