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The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball has garnered some preseason attention as we near the upcoming 2016-17 campaign. The Lady Cardinals have received a no. 6 preseason national ranking from the Women's Division II Bulletin in its preseason preview. 

SVSU, coming off a 22-9 overall record in 2015-16 and its first-ever GLIAC North Division title, looks to build on last season's run to the NCAA Division II Round of 32 appearance. The Cards return four of five starters, including reigning GLIAC and Midwest Region Player of the Year, Emily Wendling. Wendling earned several all-american plaudits last season as well for her performance in her junior season. 

The Cardinals were chosen to claim the GLIAC North Division by the Women's Division II Bulletin in the preseason preview, followed by Grand Valley State and Mcihigan Tech. Wendling was chosen as the preseason GLIAC Player of the Year as well. The publication also did a WDIIB Super 16 Selection list, which features the top two players from each of the eight regions across Division II basketball. Emily's name appeared on that team as well.

2016-17 Division II Women's Bulletin GLIAC Outlook

GLIAC Tournament champion Ashland (31-2) has lofty expectations with four returning starters from last year's team. The Eagles feature one of the premier scoring duos in the nation in All-Americans Andi Daugherty (15.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Laina Snyder (16.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg). Ashland is riding a 25-game regular-season home winning streak entering the new campaign. Saginaw Valley State (22-9) could makes some noise on the national scene as it returns four starters and a majority of the roster from last season. Senior All-American Emily Wendling (18.1 ppg) leads the way for the Cardinals. Grand Valley State (26-10) looks to build on last season's run to Final Four, returning all five senior starters. The Lakers are led by senior forward Kayla Dawson (14.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg).

Saginaw Valley opens the 2016-17 season with a home weekend against the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers on Saturday, November 12 and the St. Joseph's Pumas on Sunday, November 13. Both game times are set for 1:00 p.m. at SVSU's O'Neill Arena. The Cards then travel to play at Ursuline Saturday, November 19 before playing in a tournament at UC San Diego Thanksgiving weekend to round-out non-conference play.

2016-17 Division II Women's Bulletin Preseason Top-10 Rankings

1.   Bentley
2.   Ashland
3.   Emporia State
4.   West Texas A&M
5.   Cal Baptist
6.   Saginaw Valley State
7.   Florida Southern
8.   California (Pa.)
9.   Limestone
10. Grand Valley State