GPAC Tabs Women's Basketball 9th in Preseason Poll

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Doane women's basketball found out they were picked ninth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Tigers are coming off a 15-14 overall record in 2024-25, going 10-12 in conference play.

The Tigers graduated a lot of experience but still return a couple of key players. All-GPAC selection Megan Chambers is back in the paint where she averaged 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Rylie Rice, a 2023-24 all-conference selection, continues to work her way back from an injury last year and will provide an outside scoring punch.

Guards Grace Thompson, a junior, and Addie Hatcliff, a sophomore, averaged more than 10 minutes a game last year and look to expand on their roles this season. Ella Johnson will be an inside/outside threat depending on the five players on the court after seeing nearly 10 minutes a game as a freshman last year. Emma Brown will also provide a strong inside presence as she enters her junior year.

Freshmen newcomers Keeleigh Knobbe and Mattea Kassebaum will see plenty of playing, either as starters or coming off the bench. They are joined by transfers Esmee Creyghton and Madison Lopez to see action on the perimeter. Catrice Olds, a transfer from Dakota Wesleyan (volleyball), will be eligible to join the team in the second semester in accordance with the in-conference transfer rule and will be a similar threat to how Johnson is used this year. Emma Vander Plaat and Kara Kudlacz, also freshmen, will be in the mix for playing time as well.

Doane opens the season against Peru State in the second game of the College of Saint Mary Classic. Tip-off on October 30 is set for 7 PM.