WPU Picked 12th in Heart

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s basketball team looks to shock the league this winter as the 2024-2025 Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll was announced Friday.

WPU, which was 4-24 last year (3-21 Heart), is projected to finish 12th in the 13-team league, collecting 30 points.

Grand View owns the top spot in the standings with 142 points and 10 first-place votes. Benedictine, which has the other three first-place ballots, is second with 132 points.

Missouri Valley and MidAmerica Nazarene are tied for third with 111 points, while Mount Mercy also eclipsed the century mark in points with 101 to take fifth in the poll.

Clarke (94) leads the rest of the group with Culver-Stockton (72), Central Methodist (66), Park (53), Graceland (43), Peru State (40), and Baker (19) wrapping up the list.

William Penn opens its season on October 26 versus College of Saint Mary (Neb.). Heart action starts on November 13 with the navy and gold hosting Mount Mercy in Oskaloosa.

2024-2025 Heart Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Grand View–142 (10)
2. Benedictine–132 (3)
3. MidAmerica Nazarene–111
3. Missouri Valley–111
5. Mount Mercy–101
6. Clarke–94
7. Culver-Stockton–72
8. Central Methodist–66
9. Park–53
10. Graceland–43
11. Peru State–40
12. William Penn–30
13. Baker–19