Women's basketball selected 7th in preseason poll

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu

October 16, 2015 Yellowjacket women selected 7th in basketball preseason poll MSUB Women’s Basketball Schedule MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook MSUB Women’s Basketball on Twitter MSUB Women’s Basketball Stack on ISSUU GNAC Release

The 2015-16 MSUB women’s basketball team includes four upperclassmen and eight underclassmen.

The MSU Billings women’s basketball team returns to the court Oct. 24 with an alumni game scheduled for 1:00 p.m., followed by the men’s alumni match-up at 3:00 p.m.

PORTLAND, Ore. – With an alumni game and two exhibitions against Rocky Mountain College set to kick-off the MSU Billings women’s basketball season in just over a week, the Yellowjackets are ready to open the season with several big events at home.

Last season, MSUB finished an even 14-14 on the year and 6-12 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Yellowjackets graduated three seniors, including All-American Kayleen Goggins, Quinn Peoples, and Annie DePuydt.

Friday, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference released the results of its preseason coaches’ poll with MSU Billings voted to finish seventh, earning the same number of points as Saint Martin’s (55).

“I know our team is really looking forward to this season,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. “We sure hope we finish higher than we were projected in the preseason poll, but we do understand how great the league is from top to bottom. All we can is try to improve every week so we are playing our best down the stretch.”

Taking the top spot in the poll, Alaska Anchorage collected 120 points with Western Washington (104), and Seattle Pacific (86) coming in just behind.

After the alumni game on Oct. 24, Yellowjackets play back-to-back contests against Rocky Mountain College. On Nov. 3, the ‘Jackets travel across town to the Fortin Center before a week later hosting the Battlin’ Bears on Eastern Montana College Throwback Night Nov. 10, in Alterowitz.

Nov. 13-14 marks the Yellowjacket Women’s Basketball Classic at Alterowitz Gymnasium with some exciting teams in attendance, including last season’s NCAA Division II national runner-up Cal Baptist University.

The Yellowjackets begin their conference season at home Dec. 3 against Central Washington. The contest against CWU is in the midst of a 5-game home stand for MSUB, culminating with a contest against the University of Montana – Western on Dec. 12.

Janiel Olson returns to the Yellowjacket women’s basketball team for her final season.

Back to the court this season is senior Janiel Olson, who spent last year as a redshirt. Joining her are three upperclassmen that will look to lead the still very young roster containing eight underclassmen.

“I really like the potential of this team,” Woodin said. “I believe we have the versatility, depth, talent, and leadership to surprise a lot of people. They are a cohesive group who competes hard. I can’t wait to see how we progress from month to month.”

All of MSUB's home contests and many away contests will feature live video and statistics, available through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal.

All-sport ticket packages, good for any MSUB sporting event are now available as well, in bundles of 10 for $45 and 25 for $100. To purchase all-sport ticket packages, contact MSUB Athletics at 406-657-2369.

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