The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced its preseason women's basketball poll on Thursday. The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball program was picked fourth in the GLVC East Division.
 
Illinois Springfield recorded six points in the poll, finishing one ahead of McKendree. Southern Indiana was a slight favorite in the East Division over Lewis, and Indianapolis was picked third. In the other divisions, Truman State was the top selection in the Central Division, and Drury was the favorite in the West.
 
UIS is coming off its best season of its NCAA era last year in which it went 10-11 in conference play. The Prairie Stars return 10 players from that team, and those 10 players accounted for 81.7 percent of the team's scoring last year.
 
The Prairie Stars return both all-conference players from last year. Lauren Ladowski was a second-team selection after averaging 18.1 points per game, and leading NCAA Division II with 137 made free throws. Malea Jackson was a third-team pick after pouring in 14.2 points per game, and leading the team with 43 three-pointers.
 
After two exhibition games against NCAA Division I opponents, UIS will begin the regular season on Nov. 12-13 at the GLVC/GMAC Crossover in Lebanon, Ill.