MADISON, S.D.(PlayNorthStar.com)– The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) will have a new favorite to win the women’s basketball conference title. Valley City State (N.D.) collected all eight first-place votes and 64 total possible points to become the unanimous pick to win the league title. The conference coaches’ preseason poll was announced Monday afternoon by the conference office.
The Vikings completed their 2017-18 season with an overall record of 25-5 and 13-3 record in North Star contests (No. 14 ranking in the final national poll). VCSU defeated Jamestown (N.D.) to win the North Star conference’s tournament last season. Valley City State lost to St. Francis (Ill.) in the opening round of the NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Tournament.
Bellevue (Neb.) was picked to finish second with 55 points. Mayville State (N.D.) collected 48 points to finish third in the poll, followed by Dakota State (S.D.) fourth with 40 points. Presentation (S.D.) was fifth with 29 points, Waldorf (Iowa) sixth with 23 points, Viterbo (Wis.) seventh with 16 points and Dickinson State (N.D.) eighth with 13 points.
Points are awarded on an 8-1 basis and coaches could vote for their own team.
Each NSAA members will be playing a total of 14 conference games this season, with each team playing home and away games during the conference season.
The NSAA conference season gets underway on Dec. 1 with three games on schedule, with traveling partners playing each other. Valley City State travels to Mayville State; Bellevue hosts Dakota State; Presentation welcomes Dickinson State and Waldorf visits Viterbo (Wis.).
The NSAA Postseason Tournament opening round is scheduled for Feb. 19 or Feb. 20. The four opening round winners will advance to the ‘Final Four’ tournament to be held at Watertown Civic Arena in Watertown, S.D. on Feb. 23-24.
The North Star Women’s Basketball Postseason Tournament Champion will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA Division II National Tournament to be held in Sioux City, Iowa. The national tournament takes place on March 6 through March 12.
Here is the complete 2018-19 NSAA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll:
| 2018-19 North Star Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll | ||
| Rank | School | Points |
| 1 | Valley City State (N.D.) (8) | 64 |
| 2 | Bellevue (Neb.) | 55 |
| 3 | Mayville State (N.D.) | 48 |
| 4 | Dakota State (S.D.) | 40 |
| 5 | Presentation (S.D.) | 29 |
| 6 | Waldorf (Iowa) | 23 |
| 7 | Viterbo (Wis.) | 16 |
| 8 | Dickinson State (N.D.) | 13 |
| *First-place votes in parenthesis | ||