SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Coming off one of the best seasons in program history, the Augustana women's basketball will look to start the 2018-2019 season strong when they start their season this weekend in Kansas City, Mo. at the Central Regional Challenge. On Friday, Augustana will open up the two-day event as they hit the court to take on Washburn (KS) at 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, they return to the court at 3:30 p.m. to they take on Southern Nazarene (OK).

Led by 30-year veteran head coach Dave Krauth, the Viking won 29 games a season ago, including a conference championship and a trip to the NCAA sweet 16. However, the Vikings graduated five seniors who scored over 4,500 points collectively, and now the new-look Vikings will attempt to make a statement of their own.

Senior Lynsey Prosser and senior Shelby Selland started 32 of the 33 total contests. Selland is the top returning scorer, averaging 10.1 points per game just a season ago. The Vikings will look to their bench to fill the missing spots on the court. Hana Metoxen appeared in all 33 games, Abby Hora tallied 33 appearances, Danni Honner 27, McKenzee Zilverberg 21, and sophomore Izzy Van Veldhuizen 19.
 
In the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Poll, the league named Selland as the Player to Watch for the Vikings. A 6'2" center from Letcher, S.D., Selland started in 32 of Augustana's 33 games last year. Selland averaged 5.2 rebounds per game for the Vikings. Selland scored a season-high 18 points on three different occasions, with the last time being vs. Southwest Minnesota State on Feb. 10, 2018 and in that same game she corralled a season-high 12 rebounds.

Overall, the Vikings return 13 players including including seven upperclassmen. Augustana will also start the season with four newcomers on their roster.

Scouting Washburn:
Long time head coach Ron McHenry enters his 19th season with the Washburn Ichabods where he owns a career record of 426-130. The Ichabods ended their 2017-18 season averaging 68.5 points per game and with an overall record of 20-10. Last season, the Warriors shot 43.3 percent from the field as a team last season, including 32.9 percent from 3-point range. Leading the way for the Ichabods is Reagan Phelan, who averaged 14.9 points per game last season. The last time Augustana and Washburn competed was back in 1985 and the Vikings won by 11 points.
 
So far this season, the Ichabods lost both their exhibition games by a combined 59 points.
 
Scouting Southern Nazarene:
Southern Nazarene wrapped up their 2017-18 season with a 10-16 record. The Storm averaged 64.9 points per game last season, while shooting 36.8 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from 3-point range. Southern Nazarene also averaged double digits in assists (13.7) and turnovers (17).  The top returning scorer for the Storm is Adrienne Berry. The senior averaged 14.4 points per contest as a junior, also grabbed just over four rebounds per contest, as well. Berry finished the season sitting eighth in the GAC (Great American Conference) in scoring and fifth in three-point field goals made.
 

Fans not in attendance can follow this weekends games at GoAugie.com/Live and stay up to date with Augustana basketball all season on twitter at @AugieWBB.