Western Illinois Women’s Basketball: Kaufmann Nominated to All-Summit League Second Team

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League’s preseason basketball list was finalized this morning with Western Illinois’ own Olivia Kaufmann landing All-Summit League second team. The league’s coaches’ poll placed Western Illinois to finish fifth this 2019-20 season announced Monday (Oct. 7).

The senior Guard is entering her final season with the Leathernecks, after averaging 16 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season with a season-high of 28 points against North Dakota on February 1, 2019.

The rankings precede the Summit Leagues’ in person Media Day were head coach JD Gravina will be previewing the Leatherneck season in-person at 10:45 a.m. on the leagues Facebook page. As well as a Summit League Preview Show that will air Monday night 7-9 p.m. on the Midco Sports Network.

 “This might be the best I’ve seen our League since I’ve been here, especially at the top,” said coach Gravina. “Fifth was right where I expected to be picked. Hopefully we can battle our way into that top tier.”

Western will kick off their season at Missouri on Tuesday, November 5^th in Columbia, Mo at 7 p.m.

2019-20 Summit League Preseason Player of the Year
Ciara Duffy – South Dakota

Preseason All-Summit League First Team
Ciara Duffy, South Dakota, Sr., G (14.6 ppg/4.7 rpg/2.9 apg)
Tagyn Larson, South Dakota State, Sr., F (10.5 ppg/6.4 rpg/1.7 apg)
Lauren Loven, Denver, Sr., G (14.3 ppg/1.9 rpg/1.6 apg)
Madison Nelson, Denver, Sr., F (16.5 ppg/8.9 rpg/1.0 bpg)
Myah Selland, South Dakota State, Jr., F (12.5 ppg/5.4 rpg/3.3 apg)
Hannah Sjerven, South Dakota, Jr., C (11.8 ppg/5.9 rpg/1.9 bpg)

Preseason All-Summit League Second Team
Tylee Irwin, South Dakota State, Jr., G (7.5 ppg/3.7 rpg/1.7 apg)
Olivia Kaufmann, Western Illinois, Sr., G (16.0 ppg/5.4 rpg/3.8 apg)
Chloe Lamb, South Dakota, Jr., G (9.6 ppg/2.7 rpg/1.6 apg)
Keni Jo Lippe, Oral Roberts, Jr., G (13.3 ppg/5.2 rpg/1.9 apg)
Madison McKeever, South Dakota, Sr., G (7.8 ppg/2.9 rpg/1.9 apg)

*Preseason Player of the Year automatically earns a spot on first team

Preseason Poll (first-place votes) | total points

1. South Dakota (20) | 527
2. South Dakota (13) | 496
3. Denver (1) | 394
4. Oral Roberts | 370
5. Western Illinois | 332
6. North Dakota | 213
7. North Dakota State | 181
8. Omaha |147
9. Purdue Fort Wayne | 85