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IUP Begins 2007-08 Season Ranked 11th in Women's Division II Bulletin National Poll

Complete Women's Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll

One year after winning 24 games and reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, the IUP women’s basketball team has been ranked 11th in the Women’s Division II Bulletin 2007-08 preseason poll.

The Crimson Hawks are the highest ranked team from the East Region, with only California at No. 23 also earning a spot in the Top 25.  This is the third time that IUP has been ranked among the nation’s elite prior to the start of the season, joining the 1999-00 team (14th) and the 2000-01 squad (24th).

IUP opens its season by playing in Disney’s Division II Tip-Off Classic November 2-4 in Orlando, Fla.  The Crimson Hawks will face Assumption, Lander and Upper Iowa in its three games at the tournament. 

North Dakota, playing its final season as a Division II school, opens the season at No. 1, followed by defending national champion Southern Connecticut.  Emporia State, West Texas A&M and Drury round out the preseason top five.

“After the success we experienced last season, we are excited about the potential of this year’s team,” said IUP head coach Cindy Martin.  “At the same time, our staff is not concerned about rankings right now.  What matters to our team is finishing No. 1 next March.”

This year’s preseason ranking is based largely on four returning starters from a team that went 24-9, won its first PSAC championship since 1988 and took powerful Glenville State to the wire in a six-point loss in the East Region championship game.

Leading the returning starters is All-America candidate Jahzinga Tracey, who enjoyed a highly decorated sophomore season, including selection as the PSAC West Player of the Year, first team Daktronics All-East Region, MVP of the PSAC tournament and a spot on the East Region all-tournament team. 

Forward Staci Heberling, a second team All-PSAC West choice last year, and guards Kylie Miller (right) and Kierstin Filla also return from last year’s starting lineup. 

The Crimson Hawks have not been ranked since November 29, 2000 when the team came in at No. 25 before dropping out the following week.  The Crimson Hawks barely missed out on the final Top 25 a year ago, garnering 61 points in the poll taken after the Elite Eight, 10 points shy of a national ranking.

During the 1999-00 season, one year after the team’s lone appearance in the Elite Eight, IUP was ranked in every national poll, reaching as high as fourth on January 26, 2000 when the team won its first 17 games en route to a final record of 24-5 and a berth in the East Region semifinals.

IUP made its debut in the national rankings on January 11, 1999 at No. 24 and then cracked the Top 25 the final two weeks of the regular season.  That year’s team won a school record 26 games, captured the East Region title by defeating Millersville and Shippensburg at Memorial Field House and was rewarded with a final ranking of No. 12.

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