INDIANAPOLIS – Oakland was voted fifth in the Horizon League preseason poll and Kahlaijah Dean earned Preseason All-League First Team honors, the first of her career. 

Last season, Dean was named to the All-Horizon League First Team for her historic 2020-2021 season. Dean became the 29th player in Oakland history to score 1000 career points. In addition, she led the Golden Grizzlies in points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and steals. 

The Bakersfield, Calf. native looks to add to an already decorated career, she earned Sixth Player of the Year and All-League Third Team in 2020 and was named to the All-Freshman Team for the 2018-19 season.

Oakland was voted fifth in the conference, four spots higher than their 2020 preseason rank.  

The Golden Grizzlies went on a run to end the 2020-2021 season, winning eight of their last 12 games to secure the No. 4 seed in the conference. Their 12 conference wins matched a program high and propelled them to host their first quarterfinal game. 

Their season came to an end in the quarterfinals against the IUPUI Jaguars in a 86-64 loss.  

Oakland opens up their season with two non-conference matches against Toledo on Nov. 9 and Niagara on Nov. 13. Conference play begins on Nov. 18 against Youngstown State in the O'Rena. 

2021-22  #HLWBB Preseason Poll
Pl.          Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1.            IUPUI – 139 (11)
2.            Milwaukee – 125
3.            Green Bay – 120 (1)
4.            Northern Kentucky – 107
5.            Oakland – 96
6.            Cleveland State – 78
T7.          Wright State – 72
T7.          Youngstown State – 72
9.            RMU – 47
10.          UIC – 38
11.          Purdue Fort Wayne – 26
12.          Detroit Mercy – 16
 
#HLWBB Preseason Player of the Year
Macee Williams, IUPUI
 
Preseason All-League First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Rachel McLimore, IUPUI
Macee Williams, IUPUI
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee
Lindsey Duvall, Northern Kentucky
Kahlaijah Dean, Oakland
 
Preseason All-League Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
Destiny Leo, Cleveland State
Meghan Pingel, Green Bay
Ivy Turner, Northern Kentucky
Sol Castro, RMU
Chelsea Olson, Youngstown State