October 19, 2005
Eagles picked to finish third in GLVC West Division
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team has been picked to finish third in the GLVC West Division, in a vote done by the league's coaches. The Screaming Eagles received 26 points in the poll.
USI, which was 14-14 overall and 7-13 in the GLVC a year ago, return six letterwinners as well as medical-redshirt freshman Jessica Minnick (Carmi, Illinois). The Eagles and Head Coach Rick Stein also are bringing in seven newcomers that include five transfers and a pair of freshmen.
No. 1-ranked Drury University was the favorite to win the West Division title, while defending GLVC champion Quincy University was picked second. Drury grabbed six first-place votes and had 36 points, while Quincy had one first-place vote and 30 points.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was picked fourth, while the University of Missouri-Rolla and the University of Missouri-St. Louis were picked fifth and sixth, respectively. Rockhurst University rounded out the West Division poll at seventh.
In the East Division, Bellarmine University received five first-place votes and was picked to finish first, while Lewis was received two first-place votes and was picked to finish second. Northern Kentucky University and the University of Indianapolis were picked third and fourth, respectively, while Kentucky Wesleyan College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside were tied for fifth in the poll. Saint Joseph's College rounded out the East Division poll at seventh.
USI starts the season November 4 against Columbus State University at the Milkhouse in the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic in Orlando, Florida. Conference play begins December 1 when the Eagles take on the University of Missouri-Rolla. USI will play a home-and-home series with each team from the West Division, while the Eagles will play each team from the East Division only once.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
