LACEY, Wash. – Led by 2020-21 WBCA All-American Claire Dingus, Saint Martin's women's basketball was voted sixth in the 2021-22 GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday afternoon.
 
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Alaska Anchorage narrowly edged out Western Washington for the top spot, with the Seawolves collecting 92 points on seven first place votes. The Vikings garnered 89 points on two first place votes.
 
Northwest Nazarene, who received the final first place vote, finished third with 70 points. Simon Fraser (69 points), Central Washington (60) and Saint Martin's (48) made up the middle of the pack. Rounding out the polling was Montana State Billings (47), Seattle Pacific (43), Western Oregon (20), and Alaska (12).
 
There will be no secret as to whom the Saints will turn to during the season. Dingus, who was the program's first All-American since 1996 and first since the Saints joined the NCAA, averaged a double-double last season. Her 17.5 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 55.9 field goal percentage ranked the best on the team, and among the best in the GNAC. During the season, Dingus was named the GNAC Player of the Week three times.
 
But Dingus will have an experienced cast returning with her in 2021-22, with all five starters coming back. Point guard Tierney DeDonatis returns to fold with her second-best 11.1 points per game, and team-leading 41 assists. Rian Clear, who came on strong for the Saints down the stretch, was third in scoring at 8.0 points per game, along with 3.9 rebounds per contest.
 
Guards Janealle Sutterlict (6.2 points per game, 27 assists), and Lauryn Morris (5.7 points per game, 22-for-22 free throws) provide always needed depth and experience in the back court. Also returning is Maryn Budiman (2.5 points per game, 12 assists) played in all 13 games, making six starts last season.
 
Down low, Iternite Reed (3.8 points per game, 3.1 rebounds), and Emily Nelson (5.6 points per game, 3.1 rebounds) give the Saints depth, and the ability to play many different styles of defense.
 
Saint Martin's welcomes in two newcomers to the fold in Portland transfer Josie Matz, a 5-10 junior guard, and Chenoa Louie, a 5-11 freshman forward from Ephrata, Washington.
 
The Saints open the season with three straight exhibitions against Pac-12 schools in Washington State (Oct. 24), Oregon (Oct. 28) and California (Nov. 4). SMU's first official game is on November 13 against Hawaii Pacific inside Marcus Pavilion.
 
Saint Martin's will be the host of the 2022 GNAC Championships on March 3-5. The top six teams from the GNAC regular season will travel to Lacey for a chance at the GNAC title.