BURNSVILLE, Minn – The Winona State University Women's Basketball team was selected 10th in the 2024 NSIC Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Olivia Gamoke was named Preseason Athlete to Watch for the Warriors.
 
WSU garnered 76 points in the 2024 NSIC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, locking them in 10th behind the University of Mary (96 points) and ahead of Augustana (70 points). The defending national champions, Minnesota State was selected first with 194 points and 12 first-place votes. Northern State junior, Madelyn Bragg was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year.
 
Winona State finished 9th in the NSIC in 2023. Entering her 3rd season as head coach with the Warriors, head coach Ana Wurtz noted, "This group has stepped up to the challenge of being one of the hardest working teams around. In addition to Liv, Mattie Schimenz, Hailey Markworth, and Vivica Bretton have all proven this past season they can compete at a high level in the league. They have put a lot of work in this off-season to take another next step. This pre-season has been a great balance of fun and high-level competition in our gym. I can't wait to compete every night with this group of people!"
 
Gamoke, a senior from Onalaska, Wis., led the team last season, starting in all 28 games that she appeared in. During the 2023-2024 season, she helped lead the team to a 10-18 record while averaging 30.5 minutes and 9.4 points per game.
 
Coach Wurtz on Gamoke: "Olivia has had success in this league since her freshman season but is never satisfied. She is one of the hardest working players I will ever coach as she has set a bar that is exceptional. She is an elite 3-point shooter with a great mid-range game who continues to expand her game at the rim and on the defensive end."
 
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