MASON CITY - The NIACC women's basketball team is ranked No. 17 in the preseason NJCAA Division II poll released on Monday.
NIACC, which won the NJCAA Region 11-B title last season, returns three sophomores from last season's team that was 25-7 overall in the 2024-25 season. Returning for the Trojans are Grace Berding, Kelsey McDonough and Reggi Spotts.
NIACC was ranked 10th in the 2024-25 preseason poll. The Trojans were in seven polls in the 2024-25 season.
Defending NJCAA Division II national champion Johnson County CC is the preseason No. 1 team and Pima CC is ranked second.
Kirkwood, which won the NJCAA Region 11-A title last season, is ranked third. DMACC is ranked No. 25.
Spotts, who prepped at Mason City High, was a first-team all-region selection during her freshman campaign. McDonough, who also prepped at Mason City High, was a third-team all-region pick as a freshman.
Spotts scored 443 points during her freshman season, which ranks 30th on the school's all-time single-season scoring list. McDonough connected on 51 3-point goals, which is tied for 31st on the school's single-season 3-point list.
NIACC, under sixth-year coach Brad Vaught, opens the season Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at home at the annual Konigsmark Klassic. The Trojans face Blackhawk Technical College at 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 and take on Elgin CC at 3 p.m. on Nov. 1.
The Trojans' two games against third-ranked Kirkwood are set for Dec. 3 at home and Jan. 24 in Cedar Rapids.
NIACC hosts No. 25 DMACC on Jan. 7 and the Trojans play at DMACC in Boone on Feb. 11.
NJCAA Division II poll (Oct. 20) - Johnson County CC, Pima CC, Kirkwood, CCBC Essex, Illinois Central, Mesa CC, Harcum College, St. Clair County CC, Allen County CC, North Central Missouri College, Schoolcraft College, Rock Valley College, Chattahoochee Valley CC, Lincoln Land CC, UCNJ, Neosho County CC, NIACC, Lake Land College, SUNY Niagara, Jefferson College, Scottsdale CC, Coastal Alabama-North, Bryant & Stratton (Va.), Parkland College, DMACC.
NIACC'S RECENT HISTORY IN THE POLLS
2025-26
Oct. 20 - 17th
2024-25
Oct. 21 - 10th
Nov. 12 - 10th
Nov. 18 - 11th
Nov. 24 - 11th
Dec. 2 - 15th
Dec. 9 - 16th
Dec. 16 - 15th
