SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Western Illinois women’s basketball team was picked third in The Summit League preseason poll along with Evan Zars named to the Preseason All-Summit Second Team, the league office announced Monday (Oct. 26).
“At first I was a little surprised we got picked so high in the league after graduating a player as good as Olivia Kaufmann, but I think it just shows how much potential people see in our young players,” said head coach JD Gravina. “Returning four starters should give us some experience, but honestly I expect all of them to show significant improvement. Also, we have quite a few players that have been waiting for their time to have an increased role.”
After granting immediate eligibility for last season, Zars made her impact right away in the Purple and Gold. The junior was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year and finished second in the conference with 274 rebounds. She totaled eight double-doubles en route to averaging 9.1 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game. Zars blocked 47 shots to place ninth all-time in program history with six outings with three or more.
“It was good to see Evan get some recognition as well. She did so many things that didn’t show up on the stat sheet for us last year, and I expect her to put up some big scoring and rebounding numbers this season.”
2020-21 Preseason Summit League Player of the Year
Hannah Sjerven – South Dakota
Preseason All-Summit League First Team
Paiton Burckhard, South Dakota State, Jr., F (14.2 ppg/5.7 rpg/1.8 apg)
Chloe Lamb, South Dakota, Sr., G (11.2 ppg/3.3 rpg/1.5 apg)
Keni Jo Lippe, Oral Roberts, Sr., G (18.5 ppg/8.0 rpg/2.5 apg)
Mariah Murdie, Omaha, Jr., F (11.1 ppg/6.0 rpg/1.2 bpg)
Myah Selland, South Dakota State, Jr., F (13.8 ppg/5.0 rpg/3.0 apg)
Hannah Sjerven, South Dakota, Sr., F (12.2 ppg/7.3 rpg/2.0 bpg)
Preseason All-Summit League Second Team
Monica Arens, South Dakota, Sr., G (9.3 ppg/3.9 rpg/1.8 apg)
Julia Fleecs, North Dakota, Jr., F (12.2 ppg/4.8 rpg/0.7 apg)
Tylee Irwin, South Dakota State, Sr., F (8.5 ppg/5.1 rpg/2.3 apg)
Tori Nelson, South Dakota State, So., F (9.7 ppg/3.9 rpg/1.0 spg)
Evan Zars, Western Illinois, Jr., F (9.1 ppg/9.3 rpg/1.5 bpg)
*Preseason Player of the Year automatically earns a spot on first team
Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank | School (1st Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. | South Dakota (25) | 587 |
| 2. | South Dakota State (11) | 566 |
| 3. | Western Illinois | 389 |
| 4. | Oral Roberts | 376 |
| 5 | North Dakota State | 371 |
| 6. | Kansas City | 323 |
| 7. | Denver | 300 |
| 8. | North Dakota | 203 |
| 9. | Omaha | 124 |
