| Posted December 16, 2008 |  |
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Pack on verge of first ever national ranking
The ThunderWolves "received votes" in the latest USA Today/ESPN Division II/Women's Basketball Coaches Association Poll, the most recognition the team has received in the program's history.
The ThunderWolves received seven votes in the poll, the third time the program has "received votes" in the national poll. In each of the previous polls in which it was listed, the final 2007-08 poll and preseason 2008-09 poll, the ThunderWolves received one vote.
The ThunderWolves were the second-highest ranked RMAC team in the poll, behind Fort Lewis, which was ranked 23rd. The Pack is 8-1 while Fort Lewis is 7-1 on the season.
The ThunderWolves will try to improve to 9-1 overall, earning its ninth straight win, Friday at UC-Colorado Springs.
USA TODAY ESPN DIVISION II TOP 25 COACHES' POLL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Week 4 Poll: December 16, 2008
USA TODAY ESPN Division II Top 25 women's basketball poll, with first-place votes to the right, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th.
|
Rank |
Institution - First Place Votes |
Previous Ranking |
Record |
Points |
|
1. |
Northern Kentucky University (23) |
1 |
7-0 |
667 |
|
2. |
Washburn University (Kan.) (3) |
2 |
8-0 |
651 |
|
3. |
University of Alaska Anchorage |
4 |
9-1 |
598 |
|
4. |
West Texas A&M University (1) |
3 |
8-1 |
556 |
|
5. |
California University of Pennsylvania |
5 |
5-1 |
549 |
|
6. |
Hillsdale College (Mich.) |
7 |
8-0 |
543 |
|
7. |
Stonehill College (Mass.) |
6 |
8-1 |
537 |
|
8. |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania |
8 |
7-1 |
474 |
|
t9. |
Emporia State University (Kan.) |
9 |
8-1 |
448 |
|
t9. |
Minnesota State University-Mankato |
10 |
9-0 |
448 |
|
11. |
Minnesota State University-Moorhead |
13 |
10-0 |
379 |
|
12. |
University of Central Oklahoma |
12 |
7-1 |
361 |
|
13. |
Tusculum College (Tenn.) |
11 |
9-1 |
342 |
|
14. |
Michigan Technological University |
14 |
6-1 |
315 |
|
15. |
Shippensburg Univ. of Pennsylvania |
16 |
5-0 |
302 |
|
16. |
Barry University (Fla.) |
t18 |
8-1 |
223 |
|
17. |
Seattle Pacific University |
t18 |
5-1 |
219 |
|
18. |
University of South Carolina, Aiken |
17 |
7-2 |
208 |
|
19. |
Rollins College (Fla.) |
23 |
8-0 |
149 |
|
20. |
Arkansas Tech University |
20 |
6-2 |
146 |
|
21. |
Drury University (Mo.) |
21 |
6-3 |
100 |
|
22. |
Fort Lewis College (Colo.) |
NR |
7-1 |
99 |
|
23. |
Franklin Pierce University (N.H.) |
15 |
4-3 |
49 |
|
24. |
University of Tampa (Fla.) |
NR |
8-1 |
48 |
|
25. |
Wingate University (N.C.) |
25 |
5-2 |
42 |
Dropped Out: Carson-Newman College (Tenn.), Lake Superior State University (Mich.)
Others Receiving Votes: Shaw University (N.C.) - 40; Millersville University of Pennsylvania - 35; Clayton State University (Ga.) - 24; Quincy University (Ill.) - 23; University of California-San Diego - 23; Assumption College (Mass.) - 20; University of District of Columbia - 19; Columbus State University (Ga.) - 18; University Of Indianapolis (Ind.) - 18; Kentucky State University - 17; Valdosta State University (Ga.) - 14; Lake Superior State University (Mich.) - 12; Harding University (Ark.) - 10; Carson-Newman College (Tenn.) - 9; Northwood University (Mich.) - 7; Colorado State University - Pueblo 7; Newberry College (S.C.) - 6; Florida Institute of Technology - 5; University of Nebraska - Kearney - 4; Armstrong Atlantic State University (Ga.) - 3; Saint Mary's University (Texas) - 3; Molloy College (N.Y.) - 2; University of Central Missouri - 1; Francis Marion University (S.C.) - 1; Virginia State University - 1.
The USA TODAY ESPN Board of Coaches is made up of 29 head coaches at Division II institutions. All are members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). The 2008-09 board: Gie Parsons - Non-voting Chair (Clarion University), James Brunelli (Anderson University), Chris Ratcliff (University of Arkansas at Monticello), Dave Wilbers (Arkansas Tech University), David Smith (Bellarmine University), Krista Gerlich (West Texas A&M University), Kip Drown (Colorado State University at Pueblo), Heather Kearney (California University of Penn), Jay Sparks (Columbus State University), Angie Kristensen (Dixie State College of Utah), John Burke (Dominican College), Linden Weese (Eastern New Mexico University), Stephen McDonald (Fairmont State University), Mark Swasey (Franklin Pierce University), Vanessa Taylor (Johnson C. Smith University), Stephanie Evans (Kentucky State University), Jamie Pewinski (Lake Superior State University), Kevin Pederson (Lander University), John Barnes (Michigan Technological University), Carol Russell (University of Nebraska at Kearney), Jessica Smith (University of New Haven), Marilynn Rule-Heinrich (Nova Southeastern University), Brad Vanden Boogaard (Oklahoma Panhandle State University), Julie Van Beek (Seattle Pacific), Jacques Curtis (Shaw University), Mike Jewett (Southwest Minnesota State University), Ron McHenry (Washburn University), Greg Bruce (Western Oregon University) and Barbara Nelson (Wingate University).
*Please note that all voters for the DII poll are required to vote each week between 8 a.m. Monday and 1 p.m Tuesday ET.
