Women's Basketball 11/1/2024 12:18:00 PM by the Dordt University Athletic Communications Office

Women's Basketball Opens 2024-25 Season Against #20 Oregon Tech

Game Time:

Defending national champion and No.1 ranked Dordt University is set to open its 2024-25 season this weekend against No.20 Oregon Tech in an early season women's basketball showdown between ranked teams. Tip-off at the De Witt Gymnasium is set for Saturday, Nov. 2 at 5pm.
The Defenders finished the 2023-24 season with a 35-2 overall and defeated 14th-ranked Providence (Mont.) 57-53 in the NAIA National Championship game to win their first national title in program history. Dordt also won both the GPAC regular season and postseason titles, going 21-1 in league play.
Oregon Tech, ranked 20th in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' poll, completed the 2023-24 season with a 27-5 overall record, losing to No.6 Carroll (Mont.) in the second round, one game away from reaching the final championship site.

All-Time:

Around the GPAC:

Saturday Games:
- #20 Oregon Tech vs #1 Dordt
- Bethany (Kan.) vs Midland (in Sioux City)
- Valley City State @ #23 Briar Cliff
- #10 Southern Oregon @ #5 Concordia
- Morningside @ (RV) Benedictine
- #9 Dakota Weslyean @ Friends

In the Rankings:

Dordt opens the season ranked first in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' poll, earning 12 of the 20 possible first place votes
the Defenders are one of five teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) ranked in the top 25
- Dordt - 1, Concordia - 5, Dakota Wesleyan - 9, Northwestern - 19, Briar Cliff - 23
Oregon Tech is ranked 20th in the preseason poll and joins two other teams from the Cascade Collegiate Conference
- Southern Oregon - 10, Lewis-Clark State - 24

Conference Preseason Polls:

Dordt was picked first in the GPAC preseason poll released on Oct.16, followed by Concordia, Dakota Wesleyan, Northwestern and Briar Cliff
The Lady Owls were picked second among 12 teams in the Cascade Collegiate Conference preseason poll, trailing preseason favorite Southern Oregon

Schedule Outlook:

the Defenders have a 28-game schedule, 22 in conference play and six non-conference match-ups
of the 28 games, 12 are against teams that are either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA preseason coaches' poll

Scouting #20 Oregon Tech:

Head Coach: Joy Lease - 2nd year as head coach, 3rd within the Lady Owls' program
Conference: Cascade Collegiate Conference (12 teams)
2024-25 record: 0-0 (play at #19 Northwestern on Friday night)
last season:
- record: 27-5 overall, ended season ranked 22nd
- 19-3 (T2nd) in the CCC with Lewis-Clark State
- earned at-large bid to qualify for the NAIA Championship
- defeated Jessup University in 1st round match-up
- lost to #6 Carroll in the 2nd round, 61-46, to end the season
- played six games against teams that finished ranked in the top 25 (3-3)
outlook for 2024-25:
- return all five starters, 13 players from last year
- four all-conference players return for the Lady Owls'
- ranked second in the conference in scoring (74.6ppg), second in field goal % (44%), 3rd in 3pt % (33%), and 1st in rebounding (+11)
- allowed 61.2 ppg, 5th best in the conference
- top players:
  - Olivia Sprague - 2x All-American: 17.9ppg, 65 3pters, 6.9 rpg, 110 assists, 75 steals
  - Gabbie Gascon - All-Conference: 12.7ppg, 43 3pters, 4.7 rpg, 108 assists
  - Tatum Schmerbach - All-Conference, CCC Freshman of the Year: 8.2ppg, 6.8 rpg
  - Jozie Ramos - 8.1ppg, 33 blocks
  - Kennedy Tull - 7.9ppg, 26 3pters
  - Alexis Elquist - 6ppg
  - Maddyson Tull - did not play last year, 5th year senior: 2x all-conference, 1000-point scorer

Scouting #1 Dordt University:

Head Coach: Bill Harmsen - 7th year
- 3x GPAC Coach of the Year (2019, 2023 and 2024)
- 2024 NAIA Coach of the Year
Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (12 teams)
2024-25 record: 0-0
last season:
- won program's first ever NAIA National Championship, defeating #14 Providence 57-53 in the title game
- won both the GPAC Regular Season and Postseason Titles
- finished 35-2 overall, 21-1 in the GPAC
- defeated Oakland City and Spring Arbor in the first two rounds
- defeated Mayville State, Briar Cliff, Cumberlands and Providence in Sioux City
- went 16-0 against ranked teams
outlook for 2024-25:
- return all three starters, 13 players
- three all-conference players return
- led the GPAC in ppg (82), field goal percentage (47), rebound margin (+11.5)
- led GPAC in opponents PPG (63), field goal percentage (38)
- top returners:
  - Macy Sievers - All-American, MVP of National Tournament: 12.6ppg, 39 3pters, 6.3rpg, 253 assists
  - Gracie Schoonhoven - All-Conference: 12.2ppg, 68% FG, 4.1rpg
  - Janie Schoonhoven - 3x All-Conference: 11.5ppg, 8.8rpg, 64% FG
  - Hayden Heimensen - 5.6ppg, 30 3pters
  - Olivia Harazin - 3.1ppg, 16 3pters
  - Taylor Drent - 2.4ppg, 1.7rpg

Players Mentioned