BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The Augustana women's basketball team was selected to finish 11th overall in the NSIC with 82 points and 7th in the South Division with 17 points in the NSIC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll. Head Coach
Nate Vogel enters his third season leading the Vikings.
In the Preseason Poll, Minnesota State took the top spot with 215 points and finishes first in the South Division with 44 points. Concordia St. Paul finds second overall and third in the South Division. To follow are Sioux Falls, University of Mary, and Minnesota Duluth. Sioux Falls was selected to finish second in the South Division, while University of Mary and Minnesota Duluth take the top two spots in the North Division, respectively.
Isabella Sanneh was named the Player to Watch for the Vikings after averaging 30.1 minutes per game, 14.8 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game. Head Coach
Nate Vogel says that "Bella is a returning All-Conference player for us. She averaged a double-double for us last year, and we expect her to be even better this year. No one works harder to make herself better." Sanneh set the program's single-season record for double-doubles after securing 15 in the season. Sanneh also tabbed an All-NSIC Second Team for the 2025-2026 season.
Along with Sanneh, are seven other returners.
Payton Hardy,
Ella Bockenstedt,
Clarissa Sauer, Alexis Shafer,
Ava Pautz,
Makinley Lawrenson, and
Maliyah Elliott. Vogel adds 11 new names to Augustana's roster and is excited about the team this year, saying, "We have eight returners who have worked hard to improve in the offseason. We've added a lot of length, athleticism, and shooting. So we start the season with a very talented group. What makes us most excited is how hard this team works on their own time. When you combine the talent this group has with the work ethic they all share, we think this could be a special group."
The Vikings finished 13th overall in the NSIC and 7th in the South Division in the 2025-2026 season.
The Vikings will open up their season at the Elmen Center for a 5:30 p.m. game on Monday, November 9, against Bellevue.
