HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's basketball was selected fourth overall in the 2021-22 Horizon League preseason poll, as was released by the league Tuesday.
The Norse also see two student-athletes earning preseason all-league selections with Lindsey Duvall getting a first team nod, and Ivy Turner being selected to the second team.
NKU is poised to make a run at the Horizon League title this season and beyond, as the program returns four out of five starters from last year. The team also sees five returners from a year ago as well.
Duvall and Turner look to command Northern Kentucky on the floor during the 2021-22 campaign as the duo combined to lead the Norse in most statistical categories.
Duvall finished the year averaging 16.9 points per game, along with 7.8 rebounds per game to earn herself an All-Horizon League second team selection last season. She reached double figures in scoring in all 19 games, including five 20-point performances. Turner was reward?ed for her efforts as well, earning an All-Horizon League Third Team selection after averaging 11.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during the 2020-21 campaign.
Grayson Rose and Carissa Garcia round of the remaining two returners who saw significant starts a season ago. Rose finished the year third on the team in rebounding, averaging 5.7 per game, and added 7.7 points per game as well. ?She garnered post-season recognition on the Horizon League All-Defensive Team after contributing 1.4 blocks per contest. Garcia averaged 8.3 points per game for the Norse, along with shooting 35 percent from the field and was a 33 percent three-point shooter as well.
Northern Kentucky will also welcome back Kennedy Igo, Tayah Irvin, Christyan Reid, Emmy Souder ?and Ellie Taylor who all saw in-game action last season.
Joining the Norse for the 2021-22 year ?are transfers ?Joelle Johnson?, who previously attended Georgia State, and sophomore Whitney Hay?, who most recently was at Belmont. Johnson saw action in 23 games during her sophomore campaign for GSU, registering 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 47 percent from the floor. Hay during her first collegiate season posted multiple impressive games with Belmont which included racking up a team-high 14 points with six rebounds and four assists against SIUE and recording 12 points on perfect 4-of-4 clip from 3-point range versus Tennessee State.
Whitaker's squad will welcome four total freshmen this season, as Kailee Davis (Detroit, Mich.), Khamari Mitchell-Steen (Oak Rdige, Tenn.), Paige Hodgson (Beaver Dam, Wis.), and Trinity Thompson (Gary, Ind.) all look to strengthen this talented NKU program.
To get a first look at NKU women's basketball for the upcoming season, mark your calendars for Nov. 1 as the Norse will hose the University of Pikeville in an exhibition matchup inside BB&T Arena. Tipoff is 7 p.m. and be sure to stay up to date with all things NKU Basketball and follow @NKUNorseWBB on social media and check NKUnorse.com for all schedule updates as well.
Season tickets are currently on sale. For more information visit NorseTickets.com or contact Micki Ford (fordm10@nku.edu; 859-572-7848).
2021-22 #HLWBB Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. IUPUI – 139 (11)
2. Milwaukee – 125
3. Green Bay – 120 (1)
4. Northern Kentucky – 107
5. Oakland – 96
6. Cleveland State – 78
T7. Wright State – 72
T7. Youngstown State – 72
9. RMU – 47
10. UIC – 38
11. Purdue Fort Wayne – 26
12. Detroit Mercy – 16
#HLWBB Preseason Player of the Year
Macee Williams, IUPUI
Preseason All-League First Team
Rachel McLimore, IUPUI
Macee Williams, IUPUI
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee
Lindsey Duvall, Northern Kentucky
Kahlaijah Dean, Oakland
Preseason All-League Second Team
Destiny Leo, Cleveland State
Meghan Pingel, Green Bay
Ivy Turner, Northern Kentucky
Sol Castro, RMU
Chelsea Olson, Youngstown State
#NorseUp
