Defending NAIA Division II National Champion Morningside topped the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll released on Oct. 21.

The Mustangs received 121 points and 11 of the 12 first place votes from the league’s head coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team.

Morningside returns 10 letter winners, including all five starters from the lineup the Mustangs used at last year’s NAIA Division II National Tournament. The Mustangs defeated GPAC rival Concordia University 59-57 in last year’s NAIA II National Championship Game to put the finishing touches on a 37-1 season. Morningside won last year’s GPAC championship with a perfect 20-0 league record.

Morningside will open the 2014-15 campaign on the road with a 5:30 p.m. game against William Penn University on Friday, Oct. 30.

Click here for the complete 2014-15 GPAC Women’s Basketball Coaches Pre-Season Poll.