WPU Inching Closer to Top 10 in Sixth Poll
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–Despite being just one win away from sharing the best record in the nation, the William Penn women’s basketball team continues to be on the outside of the top 10 as the NAIA released its sixth Division I rating Tuesday.
The Statesmen (27-2, 22-2 Heart), who have won 10 in a row and claimed the Heart of America Athletic Conference outright crown, gained just three positions since the last rating, moving up to #11 with 150 points. It is the program’s highest ranking since joining the NAIA in 2001-2002 and surely the highest ranking since the glory days of the 1970s and early 1980s.
WPU is one of four squads from the Heart in the rating, but still trails #6 MidAmerica Nazarene in the poll. Central Methodist, at #30, and Clarke, at #33, are also in the rating’s receiving votes section.
The navy and gold were a combined 5-1 against MNU, CMU, and CU during the regular season, while also having neutral-site wins over current #19 Lyon (Ark.) and NAIA Division II #17 Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on their resume.
Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) recaptures the #1 spot with 218 points and seven first-place votes. Campbellsville (Ky.) is second (final two first-place votes), while previous #1 Columbia (Mo.), as well as Montana Western and The Master’s (Calif.), round out the top five.
WPU opens Heart Tournament play Wednesday, hosting #9 seed Missouri Valley in the quarterfinal round at 7:30 p.m. The Statesmen swept the season series, winning 72-47 on the road in November and 72-49 at home in January.
NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Rating #6 – February 26, 2019
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (7)
2. Campbellsville (Ky.) (2)
3. Columbia (Mo.)
4. Montana Western
5. The Master’s (Calif.)
6. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
7. Carroll (Mont.)
8. Wayland Baptist (Texas)
9. Oklahoma City
10. Westmont (Calif.)
11. William Penn
12. Vanguard (Calif.)
13. Talladega (Ala.)
14. Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)
15. Bethel (Tenn.)
16. Shawnee State (Ohio)
17. Menlo (Calif.)
18. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
19. Lyon (Ark.)
20. Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
21. Arizona Christian
22. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
23. Xavier (La.)
24. Loyola (La.)
25. Pikeville (Ky.)
Others Receiving Votes: LSU Alexandria (La.) 40, William Jessup (Calif.) 32, Science & Arts (Okla.) 29, Providence (Mont.) 25, Central Methodist (Mo.) 10, Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 5, William Woods (Mo.) 5, Clarke 4.
