Posted: Oct 24, 2023

Simpson voted third in A-R-C Preseason Poll

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Ahead of its 50th season, the Simpson College women's basketball team has been picked third in the 2023-24 American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Storm return 21 players from last year's roster, losing just one starter in two-time all-conference performer Anna Wanek. Along with the returners, Simpson welcomes in eight newcomers.

RECAPPING LAST SEASON

The Storm concluded last season with a 16-11 overall record.
Simpson went on two six-game winning streaks throughout the year and compiled a 10-6 record against A-R-C foes, finishing the regular season ranked third in league standings.
Head coach Brian Niemuth tallied his 650th career win as well as his 400th career conference win.
The Storm led the conference in scoring offense (73.9 ppg), field goal percentage (43.9), and assists per game (16.07), while ranking second in 3-point percentage (31.9), 3-pointers per game (8.0) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.98).
Cassie Nash was tabbed the A-R-C Defensive Player of the Year, while Haley Rasmussen and Anna Wanek were named second team all-conference.
Nash also earned D3hoops.com All-Region 9 honors for the second consecutive season, becoming the fifth women's basketball player to earn multiple all-region awards in their career. She led the conference in numerous statistical categories and broke three program records, including career steals (285), season steals (104) and single game assists (14).

KEY RETURNERS (2022-23 STATS)

Cassie Nash, senior guard (15.3 ppg, 58.6 FG%, 4.9 apg, 4,5 rpg, 4.3 spg, 1.0 bpg)
Haley Rasmussen, junior guard (13.2 ppg, 43.3 FG%, 35.2 3FG%, 79.1 FT%)
Molly Lutmer, senior guard (10.4 ppg, 37.8 3FG%)
Dylan Holland, junior forward (6.4 ppg, 55.5 FG%, 5.3 rpg)

2023-24 SCHEDULE | 2023-24 ROSTER

2023 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Wartburg (23-7, 15-1 A-R-C) - 64 points
2. Loras (24-5, 14-2 A-R-C) - 54 points
3. Simpson (16-11, 10-6 A-R-C) - 50 points
4. Coe (18-8, 10-6 A-R-C) - 43 points
5. Dubuque (13-13, 7-9 A-R-C) - 34 points
6. Luther (14-13, 8-8 A-R-C) - 33 points
7. Central (8-17, 5-11 A-R-C) - 23 points
8. Buena Vista (6-18, 1-15 A-R-C) - 12 points
9. Nebraska Wesleyan (6-18, 2-14 A-R-C) - 11 points