CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2022-23 American Rivers Conference's Women's Basketball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2022-23 American Rivers Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2021-22 Record |
| 1. |
Wartburg (5) |
61 |
21-6 overall, 13-3 A-R-C |
| 2. |
Loras (3) |
58 |
19-8 overall, 12-4 A-R-C |
| 3. |
Simpson (1) |
51 |
26-2 overall, 15-0 A-R-C (A-R-C Champions) |
| 4. |
Dubuque |
44 |
15-11 overall, 9-7 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Coe |
31 |
8-18 overall, 5-11 A-R-C |
| 6. |
Luther |
28 |
10-17 overall, 6-10 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Central |
26 |
6-15 overall, 4-11 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Buena Vista |
14 |
7-15 overall, 5-11 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
11 |
4-20 overall, 2-14 A-R-C |
Wartburg College is the coaches' pick to win the 2022-23 American Rivers Conference title, after a trip to the NCAA Postseason a year ago. The Knights earned 61 points in the poll, recording five of the nine first-place votes. Loras is picked to finish second, garnering 58 points and three first-place votes. Last year's conference champions, Simpson, received the final first-place vote, finishing in third with 51 points. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams.
New Coaches:
- Moran Lonning, Central College -- Lonning joins the Central Dutch as the head coach after serving as the top assistant at Simpson College from 2016-2022. The Storm won the A-R-C titles the past two seasons after climbing from a 9-16 record and sixth-place league finish in her first year (2016-17). Lonning is a 2016 graduate of Luther College where she was a two-time conference MVP, leading the Norse to the the 2015-16 conference championship team.
- Tyler Bullock, Nebraska Wesleyan University -- Bullock joins Nebraska Wesleyan as the interim head coach after serving as the Director of Basketball Operations and Assistant Basketball Coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Prior to his time at the University of Nebraska Omaha, Bullock played professional basketball for the Wilkes-Barre Steamers and London Lightning. He is a 2011 graduate from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
National Spotlight: The A-R-C has a storied history of success in the NCAA Tournament and has stayed at the forefront of the National Spotlight with continued success in recent years. In the last six NCAA Tournaments, the A-R-C owns an aggregate record of 16-10. In 2015, Luther advanced to the round of 32 after earning the league's automatic qualifier (AQ) bid. The following season saw Wartburg pick up an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and battled their way to an appearance in the Final Four. Loras also went dancing that year after earning the conference's AQ bid
The Knight's success continued after the 2016 season, as they have now competed in six-straight NCAA Tournaments. The 2018 season, once again, saw Wartburg storm through the post-season field to earn a spot in the NCAA Final Four. The Knights turned in another deep post season run in 2019, advancing to the Elite Eight. Loras advanced to the 2019 NCAA Tournament with the program's first at-large bid. The Duhawk's 2020 campaign earned them a second-straight at-large bid to the big dance. Loras was set to play in the 2020 Round of Sixteen before the novel coronavirus pandemic shutdown the NCAA Tournament. Wartburg made their fifth-straight NCAA appearance in 2020, advancing to the round of 32. After a year hiatus due to the pandemic, last year the A-R-C saw two teams make it into the NCAA Tournament. Simpson earned the conference's automatic bid and Wartburg picked up an at-large bid.
The Schedule: The 2022-23 season kicks off on Tuesday, November 8th with the University of Dubuque hosting Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) member, Marian. Nebraska Wesleyan is set to host Kansas Christian out of the National Christian College Athletic Association. Central will travel to Forest City, Iowa to take on Waldorf, out of the NAIA. Wartburg is traveling to Madison, Wisconsin to take on Edgewood out of NAAC and Buena Vista will take on Grinnell College (Midwest Conference) in Grinnell, Iowa. Rounding out the first day of competition, Luther College will head up to Roseville, Minnesota to take on Northwestern-St. Paul out of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).
On Wednesday, November 9, Coe College will host Midwest Conference member, Cornell College.
Loras and Simpson will begin their 2022-23 seasons on Friday, November 11 at the Loras College Tip-Off Classic. Simpson will take on Augustana out of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) and Loras will take on Marian (NACC).
The 2022-23 American Rivers Conference schedule begins on Tuesday, November 22 with six of the nine schools competing. Loras will travel to Indianola for a match-up with Simpson. Coe is set to host Luther in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque is traveling to Waverly to take on Wartburg.
On Wednesday, November 30, the final three teams begin their conference slate of games. Buena Vista is traveling to Dubuque to take on the Spartans and Nebraska Wesleyan will host Central in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The American Rivers Conference season is a 16-game double round-robin schedule finishing on Saturday, February 18. The league's top six teams from the regular season standings qualify for the A-R-C Tournament. The Conference Tournament will be held Tuesday, February 21 (First Round), Thursday, February 23 (Semifinals), and Saturday, February 26 (Championship). Game locations for the A-R-C Tournament are at the higher seeded team's venue. The American Rivers Conference Tournament champion receives the league's automatic qualifier bid to the 2023 NCAA Division III Tournament.
2021-22 Season Review: The Simpson College women's basketball team claimed their second consecutive American Rivers Conference regular season title. Making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Simpson finished the season with an overall record of 26-2 and a perfect 15-0 conference record. Wartburg finished the year with a trip to the NCAA Tournament and a 21-6 overall record. The Knights were runner-up in the league with a 13-3 A-R-C record.
| 1st |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Bob Amsberry (17th Season)
2021-22 Record: 21-6 overall, 13-3 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: 2nd
Returning All-Conference: Jaedon Murphy (First Team), Sara Faber (Second Team), Macy Harris (Second Team)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Bob Amsberry - "Our team is ready to take on the challenges of a new season. We are excited to continue to grow together." |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Macy Harris - Guard (Sr.) |
9.33 ppg // 75.0 FT% // 4.70 rpg // 78 assists // 2.89 assists/game // 46 steals |
| Jaedon Murphy - Forward (Jr.) |
15.33 ppg // 48.0 FG% // 6.07 rpg // 37 steals // 33 blocks |
| Sara Faber - Guard (Jr.) |
10.78 ppg // 82.0 FT% // 54 assists // 48 steals |
| Britney Young - Guard (Jr.) |
7.98 ppg // 82 assists // 3.04 assists/game // 38 steals |
| Zoey Long - Guard (So.) |
3.20 ppg |
| Maggie Wilkins - Guard (So.) |
6.12 ppg // 84.0 FT% // 23 steals |
| 2nd |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Justin Heinzen (16th Season)
2021-22 Record: 19-8 overall, 12-4 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: 3rd
Returning All-Conference: Sami Martin (First Team), Madison Fleckenstein (First Team), Madison Haslow (Honorable Mention), Cierra Bachmann (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Justin Heinzen - "Should be a super competitive year in the league again with really strong teams throughout. We're looking forward to building this year's group and are excited for the challenges in doing so but also the ceiling they could reach. Best to all on a great season." |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Sami Martin - Forward (So.) |
15.52 ppg // 55.0 FG% // 8.36 rpg // 35 steals // 11 blocks |
| Cierra Bachmann - Guard (Jr.) |
9.81 ppg // 3.74 rpg // 3.81 assists/game // 48 steals |
| Madison Fleckenstein - Guard (Jr.) |
12.81 ppg // 50.0 FG% // 82.0 FT% // 4.11 rpg // 2.74 assists/game // 36 steals |
| Madison Haslow - Forward (Jr.) |
9.86 ppg // 87.0 FT% // 6.48 rpg // 25 steals |
| Hannah Thiele - Guard (Sr.) |
6.95 ppg // 83.0 FT% |
| 3rd |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Brian Niemuth (36th season)
2021-22 Record: 26-2 overall, 15-0 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: 1st
Returning All-Conference: Cassie Nash (First Team)
Starters Returning: 1
Starters Lost: 4
Brian Niemuth - "Looking forward to another competitive season. Such great coaches and players in the league. It's always a challenge, year in and year out." |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Cassie Nash - Guard (Jr.) |
14.75 ppg // 58.0 FG% // 3.64 rpg // 3.18 assists/game // 89 steals // 13 blocks |
| 4th |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Justin Smith (3rd season)
2021-22 Record: 15-11 overall, 9-7 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: 4th
Returning All-Conference: Karsen Kershner (Defensive MVP, First Team), Tabria Thomas (First Team)
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 2
Justin Smith - "Looking forward to another great season in one of the best conferences in the country." |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Morgan Hawkins - Forward (So.) |
2.53 ppg // 54.0 FG% // 100.0 FT% // 2.00 rpg |
| Lauren Livingston - Guard (So.) |
4.77 ppg // 2.50 rpg // 35 assists |
| Kat Mathias - Guard (Sr.) |
6.35 ppg // 5.88 rpg // 4.62 assists/game // 82 steals // 8 blocks |
| Maddie Monge - Forward (So.) |
4.38 ppg // 36 assists // 34 steals |
| Isabella Tierney - Guard (So.) |
5.12 ppg // 23 steals |
| 5th |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Kayla Waskow (6th season)
2021-22 Record: 8-18 overall, 5-11 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: t-6th
Returning All-Conference: Ellie Wisner (Second Team), Kaalyn Petersen (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 0
Kayla Waskow - "Our team is really excited to get the 2022-2023 season started. Our returners gained a lot of experience last year and we have added a group of newcomers that will add depth, so we look forward to competing each day. The conference is set up to be strong again this year and will provide great competition each night!" |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Molly Buck - Guard (Sr.) |
10.4 ppg // 3.7 rpg // 32 assists // 39 steals |
| Kaalyn Peterson - Center (Jr.) |
9.3 ppg // 9.6 rpg // 50 assists // 33 steals // 41 blocks |
| Ellie Wisner - Guard (So.) |
13.9 ppg // 81.1 FT% // 3.2 rpg // 29 assists |
| 6th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Amanda Bailey (12th season)
2021-22 Record: 10-17 overall, 6-10 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: 5th
Returning All-Conference: Kailey Jones (Second Team)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Amanda Bailey - "With a more experienced team returning this season, we are looking forward to competing in the American Rivers Conference. Should be an exciting year!" |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Kailey Jones - Forward (So.) |
12.00 ppg // 46.0 FG% // 86.0 FT% // 10.15 rpg // 21 steals |
| Jordan Rubie - Guard (Jr.) |
7.85 ppg // 2.48 rpg // 43 assists |
| Megan Miller - Forwad (So.) |
8.12 ppg // 3.35 rpg // 2.46 assists/game // 24 steals // 12 blocks |
| Lizzie Kauls - Forward (Sr.) |
6.11 ppg // 7.70 rpg // 34 assists // 13 blocks |
| Grace Prokosch - Forward (Sr.) |
4.63 ppg // 71.0 FT% // 2.81 rpg // 27 steals |
| 7th |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Moran Lonning (1st season)
2021-22 Record: 6-15 overall, 4-11 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: 8th
Returning All-Conference: Allison Van Gorp (Second Team), Kelsea Kurley (Second Team)
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 0
Moran Lonning - "I'm excited to start my first season as a head coach at Central College in this special conference. Like every year, I think it will be a grind of a conference schedule with tough returners and talented newcomers across the league." |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Kassidi Steel - Guard (Jr.) |
7.38 ppg // 7.24 rpg // 3.81 assists/game // 46 steals |
| Annie Swaters - Forward (Sr.) |
5.71 ppg // 1.35 rpg |
| Hannah Dau - Guard (So.) |
4.15 ppg // 2.85 rpg // 38 assists |
| 8th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: David Wells (4th season)
2021-22 Record: 7-15 overall, 5-11 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: t-6th
Returning All-Conference: Vanessa Hamlett (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 2
David Wells - " Excited to go into the season and build on what we've done. Looking forward to getting on the court and seeing how the conference pans out this year!" |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Vanessa Hamlett - Forward (Sr.) |
11.12 ppg // 52.0 FG% // 8.88 rpg // 20 steals |
| Hannah Whitver - Guard (Jr.) |
5.26 ppg // 3.42 rpg // 24 assists // 15 steals |
| Lindsey Anhalt - Forward (Jr.) |
8.00 ppg // 71.0 FT% // 5.68 rpg // 38 steals // 17 blocks |
| 9th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Tyler Bullock (1st season)
2021-22 Record: 4-20 overall, 2-14 A-R-C
2021-22 Conference Finish: 9th
Returning All-Conference: None
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Tyler Bullock - "We are excited about a fresh start this upcoming season and the challenges that come with that. We look forward to the opportunity to compete in a great league that is the American Rivers Conference." |
| Players to Watch: |
2021-22 Statistics |
| Anna Vandenack - Forward (Jr.) |
11.48 ppg // 48.0 FG% // 7.39 rpg // 16 steals |
| Brianna Denton - Guard (Sr.) |
6.09 ppg // 75.0 FT% // 2.39 rpg // 31 assists |
| Ellie Bream - Forward (Jr.) |
6.68 ppg // 4.64 rpg // 22 assists |
| Ellie Barrows - Guard (Sr.) |
3.29 ppg // 21 assists // 12 steals |
| Avery Halliday - Guard (Jr.) |
3.50 ppg // 74.0 FT% // 1.63 rpg // 16 steals |
