GRAND FORKS — UND women’s basketball was picked to finish seventh in the Summit League’s preseason poll.
The poll, which was released Tuesday morning, is led by South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits earned 34 first-place votes. Oral Roberts and North Dakota State each received one.
The Fighting Hawks finished 9-21 last season and went 5-11 in Summit League play. UND lost to No. 3 Oral Roberts in the first round of the Summit League tournament in March.
The Hawks are replacing four regulars, including star guard Kacie Borowicz. UND added South Dakota transfer center Walker Demers, a Grafton, N.D., native, and five true freshmen — Skyler Volmer, Jocelyn Schiller, Mataeya Mathern, Anaiyah Fletcher and Sydney Piekny — in the offseason.
Coach Mallory Bernhard also brought on a new staff, headlined by associate head coach Dennis Hutter, who joined the Hawks in March after leading Mayville State women’s basketball for 19 seasons.
Andi Gayner, who played for and coached with Hutter, joined as an assistant and Alex Kladis was elevated from director of basketball operations to an assistant.
The Hawks begin the year at Youngstown State on Nov. 4.
2024-25 Women’s Summit League Preseason Poll
1. South Dakota State (34) — 562
2. Oral Roberts (1) — 479
3. North Dakota State (1) — 427
4. South Dakota — 363
5. St. Thomas — 336
6. Denver — 220
7. North Dakota — 188
8. Kansas City — 144
9. Omaha — 116
Women’s Preseason All-League First Team
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State (Preseason Player of the Year)
Jordan Jones, Denver
Taleyah Jones, Oral Roberts
Grace Larkins, South Dakota
Paige Meyer, South Dakota State
Ruthie Udoumoh, Oral Roberts
Women’s Preseason All-League Second Team
Grace Cave, Omaha
Jade Hill, St. Thomas
Jalei Oglesby, Oral Roberts
Amber Scalia, St. Thomas
Haleigh Timmer, South Dakota State
