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BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Augustana women’s basketball team was selected to finish sixth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released by the league office on Thursday morning. Three-time All-NSIC member and senior guard Lauren Sees was selected as the Vikings’ Player to Watch.
The Minnesota State Mavericks were selected to win the league, earning 196 points and 14 of 15 first place votes. The 2022-23 National Runner-Up, Minnesota Duluth, earned the final first place vote and were selected to finish second with 165 points. The University of Mary was picked third with 162 points, while SMSU (140 points) and St. Cloud State (133 points) rounded out the top five.
Sees, a native of Avon, S.D., enters her fifth season with the Vikings, and returns after averaging 14.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in 31 starts en route to earning First Team All-NSIC honors. She joined the 1,000 point club in 2022-23, and currently ranks 21st on Augustana’s all-time scoring list with 1,268 points.
“Lauren has had a fantastic career at Augie and our team is lucky to have her for her final season,” said head coach Jillian Flores Bennett. “We will rely heavily on her to lead us and push us. Lauren has a competitive drive that is contagious and is an extremely skilled point guard. I’m excited to see how she cherishes this last season and for her to display the many facets of her game.”
The Vikings return four starters and nine of 10 players that saw action a season ago, and add a pair of freshmen and have a roster constructed of three seniors, three juniors, a redshirt sophomore, three sophomores, two redshirt freshmen, and two freshmen.
The familiar faces will be led by a new face, as Flores Bennett enters her first season as head coach for the Vikings. Joining her in their first season on staff are assistant coaches Amber Peterson, Tommy Turgeon and Britney Epperson.
“I’m excited to see how this team comes together as they continue to adapt to a new coaching staff and style of play,” said Flores Bennett. “They have dominated preseason and there is a burning desire to compete and win at the highest level. We have a lot of experience on our roster and I am looking forward to seeing how every player elevates this year.”
Augustana opens its season on the road at MIAA favorites, Central Missouri, on Nov. 16. The Vikings open their home schedule on Nov. 21, hosting Sioux Falls in the NSIC opener at 7:30 p.m., inside the Elmen Center.
Season tickets are available at GoAugie.com/Tickets and can be purchased for as low as $85 with an A-Club membership or $169 without.
NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Minnesota State (14)
2. Minnesota Duluth (1)
3. University of Mary
4. Southwest Minnesota State
5. St. Cloud State
6. Augustana
7. Concordia – St. Paul
8. Sioux Falls
9. MSU Moorhead
t10. Wayne State
t10. Northern State
12. Winona State
13. Minnesota Crookston
14. Bemidji State
15. Minot State
–GoAugie.com–