HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's basketball was selected fourth overall in the 2022-23 Horizon League preseason poll, as was released by the league Tuesday.

NKU also sees 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 seven 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 16.5 points per game, along with 7.3 rebounds per game to earn herself an All-Horizon League second team selection last season. Turner was rewarded for her efforts as well, earning an All-Horizon League second team selection as well after averaging 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during the 2021-22 campaign. 

Emmy Souder and Khamari Mitchell-Steen each return from last year's starting five. Mitchell-Steen is poised for yet another breakout season after she was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman team a year ago. Souder looks to keep the Norse locked in down low after averaging 7.9 points per game and 5.4 boards per game as well. 

Northern Kentucky will also welcome back Kennedy Igo, Tayah Irvin, Ellie Taylor, Kailee Davis, Paige Hodgson, Trinity Thompson and Whitney Hay to the squad for 2022-23. 

Whitaker's squad will welcome one freshman this season in Allison Bayse from Chillicothe, Ohio. She attended Huntington High School where she was a four-sport student-athlete (basketball, volleyball, track, softball).Basye is a 5-foot-11 guard/forward who has seen her scoring average increase each season at Huntington, from 18.8 her freshman season, 23.0 her sophomore year, and 28.0 most recently in year three.

To get a first look at NKU women's basketball for the upcoming season, mark your calendars for Nov. 4 as the Norse will hose the University of Indianapolis in an exhibition matchup inside Truist Arena. Tip-off is 7 PM (ET).

Season and single-game tickets are currently on sale. For more information visit NorseTickets.com or contact the NKU Ticket Office (859-572-7848).

2022-23 #HLWBB Preseason Poll
Pl.        Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1.         Youngstown State (8) – 118
2.         Green Bay (2) – 106
3.         Cleveland State (1) – 102
4.         Northern Kentucky – 88
5.         Milwaukee – 75
6.         IUPUI – 67
7.         Oakland – 47
8.         Purdue Fort Wayne – 44
9.         RMU – 42
10.        Wright State – 26
11.        Detroit Mercy – 11

#HLWBB Preseason Player of the Year
Destiny Leo, Cleveland State
 
Preseason All-League First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Lindsey Duvall, Northern Kentucky
Destiny Leo, Cleveland State
Hailey Oskey, Green Bay
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee
Lilly Ritz, Youngstown State
 
Preseason All-League Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
Ivy Turner, Northern Kentucky
Bailey Butler, Green Bay
Rachel Kent, IUPUI
Breanne Beatty, Oakland
Shayla Sellers, Purdue Fort Wayne


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