The UW-Parkside women’s basketball team was predicted to finish third out of five teams in the new-formed Great Lakes Valley Conference North Division, according to the league’s preseason coaches’ poll.

If the Rangers needed extra motivation, this should do the trick.

It was a little surprising,” Parkside coach Jenny Kenesie said. “At the same time, we have to earn the respect and we’re taking steps towards that. Respect or no respect, we still have to get out there and get it done.”

Parkside returns 11 players, including all five starters, from last year’s team which finished 18-10 overall and 14-4 in the GLVC. The Rangers are led by a pair of talented guards in first-team All-GLVC selection Amanda Gibson and GLVC Freshman of the Year Jadee Rooney.

Gibson, who has started all 83 games in three seasons, returns for her senior year after leading the Rangers in scoring (16.3 ppg), assists (4.82 apg), steals (1.61 spg), minutes (36.1 mpg) and 3-point percentage (.375).

“Amanda is very unique in that she has to be out on the floor as much as possible,” Kenesie said. “She makes a huge difference. Her leadership qualities are unbelievable. She’s our coach on the floor.”

Rooney started 26 games last year and was second on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg) and shot .369 (55-for-149) from behind the three-point arc. The sophomore emerged as one of the team’s go-to players and continued that role in hitting a game-winning shot at the buzzer in the Rangers’ 57-56 exhibition victory over NCAA Division-1 UW-Milwaukee on Nov. 1.

Parkside also returns forwards Jen Moran (4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Brittany Beyer (12.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and center Brittany Hogen (9.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Sophomores Kaitlyn Bettiga and Amy Selk return as key reserves.

Deep and talented, the Rangers remain one of the league’s youngest teams with six freshmen and five sophomores. Freshmen 6-footers Kiah Simon and Kristen Ruchti will both contribute, according to Kenesie.

“It’s a sound group with a lot of talent as well as some leadership from upperclassmen,” Kenesie said. “It may not be the most talented team we’ve ever had, because we’re just not experienced enough yet, but it might be the strongest team chemistry we’ve ever had and I think that goes a long way.”

The 15-team GLVC is divided into three divisions this season with 11th-ranked Indianapolis favored to win the East, 24th-ranked Quincy pegged to win the North and Drury predicted to finish on top of the West.

The Rangers host Rockhurst in their GLVC opener on Dec. 3.

“It’s the best league in the country,” Kenesie said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. I don’t care who you are playing. You have to be ready to go or you will be beat.”