ELMHURST, Illinois—For the second year in a row, South Dakota State women's basketball players
Ellie Thompson,
Macy Miller and
Madison Guebert have earned preseason all-league honors, according to a poll conducted by the league's coaches, sports information directors and select media and released Wednesday.
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All three were named to The Summit League Preseason first team. The last time three-or-more Jackrabbits were named to preseason teams was last year when the Jackrabbits' starting five earned preseason all-league honors for the first time in Summit League history.
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"It should be another exciting year of Jackrabbit women's hoops. This year's team has a ton of potential, as reflected by the preseason honors. There are plenty of areas to improve as a team, but so far, we are very encouraged with our depth and athletic ability. It will be fun to work together towards a successful season," 18
th-year head coach
Aaron Johnston said.
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Thompson, the lone forward on the first team, earns her third preseason honor and second consecutive first-team honor after picking up second-team accolades in 2015-16. The senior averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last season. Thompson also shot a team-high 50.5 percent from the field and 71.9 percent from the foul line.
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Miller earned first-team honors for the third consecutive year. The two-time All-Summit League honoree and Summit League All-Tournament selection and MVP was the league's preseason Player of the Year last season. The junior averaged a team-leading 14.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.1 per game assists while shooting 53.8 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range and 77.8 percent from the foul line in nine games last year. She suffered a season-ending injury Dec. 9, 2016.
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The Jackrabbits' and The Summit League's top 3-point threat, Guebert, earns her second preseason honor after appearing on the second team last year. The junior led the league and SDSU in 3-pointers (98) and 3-pointers per game (3.1) while leading the team in scoring (15.3) and free-throw percentage (85.6).
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Western Illinois' Morgan Blumer and Emily Clemens and South Dakota's Allison Arens were also named to the first team.
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For the sixth consecutive year and the eighth time in the last 11 years, the South Dakota State was picked to win the 2017-18 Summit League title. The Jackrabbits claimed 16 of 28 first-place votes and 380 points.
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In the 11 seasons since joining The Summit League, SDSU has claimed five regular-season titles (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014) and won seven postseason tournament titles (2009-13, 15, 16).
The Jackrabbits have three returning starters and nine players overall back from last year's team that finished 23-9 and advanced to the second round of the WNIT.
South Dakota State fans will have their first chance to see the 2017-18 Jackrabbits in action Oct. 26 in an exhibition game vs. Minnesota State-Moorhead at 6 p.m. SDSU also plays Northern State Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. in its final exhibition before hosting NJIT in its season opener Nov. 10 in the friendly confines of Frost Arena.
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2017-18 Preseason Poll
| Â 1. |
 South Dakota State |
 380 (16) |
| Â 2. |
 Western Illinois |
 372 (12) |
| Â 3. |
 South Dakota |
 307 |
| Â 4. |
 Oral Roberts |
 238 |
| Â 5. |
 Omaha |
 185 |
| Â 6. |
 North Dakota State |
 150 |
| Â 7. |
 Denver |
 143 |
| Â 8. |
 Fort Wayne |
 60 |
2017-18 Preseason All-League Teams             Â
First Team                                                                                      Â
Ellie Thompson, South Dakota State                     Â
Macy Miller, South Dakota State
Madison Guebert, South Dakota State
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For more information on the South Dakota State women's basketball team, follow the Jackrabbits on Twitter (
@GoJacksWBB) or likeÂ
South Dakota State women's basketball on Facebook.
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