RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference women's soccer preseason poll was announced on Tuesday and Oklahoma Baptist was picked second by league coaches.
Last year, OBU claimed the regular-season title before falling in the GAC tourney final to Ouachita, 2024's team to beat.
The Tigers garnered 32 votes with three 1st-place nods while coach
Mike White's Bison followed with 31 and the same number of top votes.
Rounding out the top three in the seven-team poll was Southern Nazarene.
Among the top returners for OBU are seniors and 2023 All-GAC First Team selections
Asley Baker and
Alanna Bloomingdale. Sophomore
Lex Williamson, another All-GAC honoree from last season and classmates
Sophia Ziesemer and
Brae Baker, both of whom were named to the All-GAC Tournament team, will also be looked upon to lead.
Furthermore, a host of other players who made at least 20 appearances last season, will don the green and gold again:
Olivia Kenas,
Annabelle Joski,
Hali White,
Michaela White and
Anna Branham.
OBU reports to campus on Aug. 14 with its first contest of the season coming Sept. 5 at home against Angelo State.
2024 GAC Preseason Women's Soccer Poll
1 – Ouachita 32 (3)
2 –
Oklahoma Baptist 31 (3)
3 – Southern Nazarene 27 (1)
4 – Southwestern Oklahoma State 19
5 – Harding 16
5 – Northwestern Oklahoma State 16
7 – East Central 6