CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2023-24 American Rivers Conference's Women's Basketball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2023-24 American Rivers Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2022-23 Record |
| 1. |
Wartburg (8) |
64 |
23-7 overall, 15-1 A-R-C (A-R-C Champions) |
| 2. |
Loras (1) |
54 |
24-5 overall, 14-2 A-R-C (A-R-C Tournament Champions) |
| 3. |
Simpson |
50 |
16-11 overall, 10-6 A-R-C |
| 4. |
Coe |
43 |
18-8 overall, 10-6 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Dubuque |
34 |
13-13 overall, 7-9 A-R-C |
| 6. |
Luther |
33 |
14-13 overall, 8-8 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Central |
23 |
8-17 overall, 5-11 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Buena Vista |
12 |
6-18 overall, 1-15 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
11 |
6-18 overall, 2-14 A-R-C |
Wartburg College is the coaches' pick to win the 2023-24 American Rivers Conference title, after a trip to the Sweet 16 a year ago. The Knights earned 64 points in the poll, recording eight of the nine first-place votes. Loras is picked to finish second, garnering 54 points and one first-place vote. Simpson received 50 points in the poll to come in at third. Coe grabbed 43 points while Dubuque recorded 34. Coming in at sixth is the Luther College Norse with 33 points. Central, Buena Vista, and Nebraska Wesleyan were selected seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.
New Coaches:
- Justin Weiland, Central College -- Weiland joins the Central Dutch as the head coach after serving as the assistant coach for Grinnell College from 2021-2023. He has been coaching since the 2016-17 season where he began at Ellsworth Community College, and eventually was named the interim head coach before moving onto Bemidji State University in Minnesota. Weiland has coached four all-region players, which includes two first-team all-region student-athletes.
- Justin Busch, Loras College -- Busch is a 2018 graduate of Loras College where now he is the head women's basketball coach for the Duhawks. During the 2022-23 season, Busch was the assitant men's basketball coach at Loras, where he assisted the push to a second place tournament finish. He coached two A-R-C all-conference players in his first season. From 2018-2020 Busch additionally served as the assistant women's basketball coach, helping the team to a 40-15 overall record and their historic run to the 2019 Sweet 16.
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 seven NCAA Tournaments, the A-R-C owns an aggregate record of 19-12. 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 seven-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, two season ago 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. Last season two teams found themselves in the tournament again, Loras earning the AQ and Wartburg earning an at-large bid. The Knights danced their way to the Sweet 16.
The Schedule: The 2023-24 season kicks off on Wednesday, November 8th with Coe College heading to Midwest Conference (MWC) rival, Cornell. Six more teams will be on the court for the first time on Friday, November 10th. Central hits the road to Wisconsin for the Wisconsin-Eau Claire Tip-Off Tournament where they open up with Wisconsin-Stout out of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association (WIAC). Dubuque also will open with a WIAC opponent, Wisconsin-Oshkosh, at the Wheaton Tournament. The Duhawks open up their season at home with their Mike Molstead Tip-Off Tournament, where they will face Edgewood College hailing from the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). Nebraska Wesleyan heads out west to Colorado to begin with Colorado College. Simpson begins their campaign in Illinois versus Hanover out of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC). Looking to repeat as regular season champions, the Knights travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to open their season against North Park at the Wisconsin Lutheran Tournament. Luther begins their season on Saturday, November 11 in Mount Vernon, Iowa versus Caroll out of the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). Buena Vista is the final team to get on the court, when they open up their season in Storm Lake against Northwestern (Minn.) from the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).
The 2023-24 American Rivers Conference schedule begins on Tuesday, November 21 with eight of the nine schools competing. Central will host Simpson, Nebraska Wesleyan will travel to Dubuque, Loras faces off against the Kohawks in Cedar Rapids, and the Knights host Luther in Wavely. Buena Vista begins their conference slate when they host Central on Wednesday, November 29.
The American Rivers Conference season is a 16-game double round-robin schedule finishing on Saturday, February 17. 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 20 (First Round), Thursday, February 22 (Semifinals), and Saturday, February 24 (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 2024 NCAA Division III Tournament.
2022-23 Season Review: The Wartburg Knights claimed the American Rivers Conference regular season title. Making it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the Knights knocked off the defending national champions, Hope College, on the Flying Dutch home court before falling to Christopher Newport, who eventually advanced to the Final Four. The Duhawks finished runner-up in the regular season, but won the A-R-C Tournament to secure their place in the NCAA Tournament. Getting to play on their home court, they won their opening game, but fell to Trine in the second round.
| 1st |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Bob Amsberry (18th Season)
2022-23 Record: 23-7 overall, 15-1 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: 1st
Returning All-Conference: Sara Faber (MVP & First-Team), Jaedon Murphy (First-Team), Macy Harris (Second-Team), Britney Young (Second-Team), Maggie Wilkins (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 0
Bob Amsberry - "We are looking forward to building on the experience we gained over the last several years. We have a nice mix of veteran returners and talented underclassmen." |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Sara Faber - Guard (Sr.) |
13.73 ppg // 76 FT% // 82 assists // 47 steals |
| Macy Harris - Guard (Fifth Year) |
9.37 ppg // 48 FG% // 4.80 rpg // 77 assists // 44 steals |
| Jaedon Murphy - Forward (Sr.) |
13.93 ppg // 43.00 FG% // 5.70 rpg // 38 assists // 32 blocks // 26 steals |
| Maggie Wilkins - Guard (Jr.) |
9.54 ppg // 85 FT% // 56 assists // 31 steals |
| Britney Young - Guard (Sr.) |
10.33 ppg // 80 assists // 39 steals // 15 blocks |
| 2nd |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Justin Busch (1st season)
2022-23 Record: 14-5 overall, 14-2 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: 2nd
Returning All-Conference: Sami Martin (First-Team), Madison Fleckenstein (Second-Team), Daniella Jarrell (Second-Team)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Justin Busch - "We are really excited to bring back an experienced team that has had success but is hungry for more. Our goal is to ride the momentum of last year and have another great season." |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Sami Martin - Center (Sr.) |
15.55 ppg // 54 FG% // 7.79 rpg // 47 steals // 44 assists // 13 blocks |
| Madison Fleckenstein - Guard/Forward (Sr.) |
11.34 ppg // 72 FT% // 49 assists // 43 steals // 17 blocks |
| Daniella Jarrell - Guard (Jr.) |
5.5 ppg // 82 FT% // 59 assists // 30 steals // 14 blocks |
| Madison Haslow - Forward (Sr.) |
5.18 ppg // 97 FT% // 46 assists // 33 steals // 13 blocks |
| Silvana Scarsella - Guard (Jr.) |
7.11 ppg // 47 assists // 39 steals |
| 3rd |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Brian Niemuth (37th season)
2022-23 Record: 16-11 overall, 10-6 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: T-3rd
Returning All-Conference: Cassie Nash (Defensive MVP & First-Team), Haley Rasmussen (Second-Team)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Brian Niemuth - "As usual it will be a tough conference schedule along with some great coaches in the league!" |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Cassie Nash - Guard (Fifth Year) |
15.25 ppg // 59 FG% // 118 assists // 104 steals // 23 blocks |
| Haley Rasmussen - Guard (Jr.) |
13.22 ppg // 79 FT% // 40 assists // 39 steals |
| Dylan Holland - Forward (Jr.) |
6.41 ppg // 5.26 rpg // 76 FT% |
| Molly Lutmer - Guard (Sr.) |
10.36 ppg // 18 steals // 17 assists |
| 5th |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Kayla Waskow (7th season)
2022-23 Record: 18-8 overall, 10-6 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: T-3rd
Returning All-Conference: Caydee Kirkham (First-Team), Kaalyn Petersen (First-Team)
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 2
Kayla Waskow - "Our team is looking forward to the upcoming season. The early contact days have allowed us to work on things and our team has enjoyed the extra time together in the gym. Our newcomers have fit in nicely and with a good core of returners, we look to build on the success we had last season. The league returns a lot this year, so it should be strong again and we look forward to great competition every night!" |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Caydee Kirkham - Guard (So.) |
13.26 ppg // 54 FG% // 95 assists // 35 steals |
| Kelly Knight - Guard (So.) |
4.4 ppg // 81 FT% // 18 assists |
| Kaalyn Petersen - Center (Sr.) |
13.88 ppg // 10.19 rpg // 42 assists // 37 blocks // 33 steals |
| Ellie Wisner - Guard (Jr.) |
5.83 ppg // 94 FT% // 18 assists |
| 5th |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Justin Smith (4th season)
2022-23 Record: 13-13 overall, 7-9 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: 6th
Returning All-Conference: Karsen Kershner (Defensive MVP, First-Team), Tabria Thomas (First-Team), Morgan Hawkins (Honorable Mention), Isabella Tierney (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Justin Smith - "We look forward to competing in such a great conference." |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Tabria Thomas - Guard (Gr.) |
15.83 ppg // 78 FT% // 52 steals // 40 assists |
| Karsen Kershner - Forward (Sr.) |
Missed 2022-23 season due to injury |
| Morgan Hawkins - Forward (Jr.) |
12.00 ppg // 7.27 rpg // 57 assists // 49 steals |
| Isabella Tierney - Guard (Jr.) |
11.00 ppg // 30 steals // 24 assists |
| 6th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Amanda Bailey (13th season)
2022-23 Record: 14-13 overall, 8-8 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: 5th
Returning All-Conference: Kailey Jones (First-Team), Lizzie Kauls (Honorable Mention), Jordan Rubie (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 0
Amanda Bailey - "We are looking forward to another competitive season of women's basketball in the A-R-C, and I'm excited to watch our experienced players come together with young talent." |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Kailey Jones - Forward (Jr.) |
12.93 ppg // 83 FT% // 51 FG% // 23 steals // 19 assists |
| Lizzie Kauls - Forward (Fifth Year) |
9.4 ppg // 7.93 rpg // 40 assists // 28 steals // 16 blocks |
| Jordan Rubie - Guard (Sr.) |
10.59 ppg // 84 FT% // 40 assists // 23 steals |
| 7th |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Justin Weiland (1st season)
2022-23 Record: 8-17 overall, 5-11 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: 7th
Returning All-Conference: Allison Van Gorp (Second-Team), Abby Johnson (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Justin Weiland - "Beyond excited to get started with our group this year. Our team is ready to grind and challenge the best. I am grateful to be part of such a well-coached and highly talented conference and I am looking forward to another competitive year." |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Hannah Dau - Guard (Jr.) |
5.96 ppg // 2.86 rpg // 71 FT% // 69 assists // 18 steals |
| Sam Scott - Guard (Jr.) |
7.64 ppg // 74 FT% // 27 assists // 19 steals // 7 blocks |
| Abby Johnson - Guard (Jr.) |
13.87 ppg // 5.61 rpg // 36 assists // 23 steals // 5 blocks |
| Kassidi Steel - Forward (Sr.) |
6.12 ppg // 2.12 rpg // 53 assists // 27 steals // 8 blocks |
| Allison Van Gorp - Center (Jr.) |
12.26 ppg // 49 FG% // 8.89 rpg // 28 blocks // 16 assists // 15 steals |
| 8th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: David Wells (5th season)
2022-23 Record: 6-18 overall, 1-15 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: 9th
Returning All-Conference: McKenna Cone (Honorable Mention), Danika Demers (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 2
Starters Lost: 3
David Wells - " We're always looking forward to the upcoming season and an opportunity to battle in the A-R-C." |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Danika Demers - Guard (So.) |
8.21 ppg // 4.42 rpg // 81 FT% // 106 assists // 39 steals |
| McKenna Cone - Guard (Jr.) |
11.87 ppg // 75 FT% // 21 assists // 12 steals |
| 9th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Tyler Bullock (2nd season - Interim HC during 2022-23 season)
2022-23 Record: 6-18 overall, 2-14 A-R-C
2022-23 Conference Finish: 8th
Returning All-Conference: None
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 0
Tyler Bullock - "We are excited about this season and the challenge that is rewriting the narrative." |
| Players to Watch: |
2022-23 Statistics |
| Avary Halliday - Guard (Sr.) |
6.71 ppg // 38 assists // 24 steals |
| Anna Vandenack - Forward (Sr.) |
5.3 ppg // 74 FT% // 22 steals // 15 assists |
| Brianna Denton - Guard (Sr.) |
6.63 ppg // 75 FT% // 25 assists // 20 steals |
| Ellie Bream - Forward (Sr.) |
6.88 ppg // 33 assists // 16 steals |
