ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (Mar. 23) – Forget the polls, say the coaches of top-ranked Seattle Pacific University and No. 2 Drury (Mo.) on the eve of their national quarterfinal pairing in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight women’s basketball championship.

Gordy Presnell has been named the Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association coach of the year in NCAA Division II for the second year in a row.

The unbeaten Falcons (30-0) face the Lady Panthers (34-1) in Wednesday’s second game at the downtown Civic Center. Tip-off is approximately 2 p.m. Pacific and the game will be carried live on a webcast via BroadcastMonsters.com.

“There’s so little inter-regional play that the polls are meaningless, fun thing for us,” said Gordy Presnell, coach of Seattle Pacific.

“The national poll and 50 cents might buy you a can of soda,” echoed Drury’s Nyla Milleson. “Facing the No. 1 team in the nation, we’re looking to find that magic which will make the difference.”

Not only are the two coaches seemingly of the same mindset, but their teams resemble one another. SPU and Drury push the ball upcourt, make over seven three-pointers per game and feature balanced, deep squads. The key to the teams’ win streaks (Drury has won 27 straight) is chemistry.

“Having lost four seniors from last year, we really didn’t see this (unbeaten season) coming,” said Presnell, who is taking a team to the Elite Eight for the second time. “It’s been a great run, a great group of players and a real joy.”

All-region forward Valerie Gustafson (Sr., 6-0, Olympia, Wa./Black Hills) is the top scorer (15.0), point guard Amy Taylor (Jr., 5-8, Shoreline, Wa./Shorewood) the catalyst and Kristin Poe (Sr., 5-8, Enumclaw, Wa.) the team’s backbone, providing intangibles such as rebounding and spirited defense.

Seattle Pacific arrived Monday night after traveling the greatest distance. Following practice Tuesday, there was an enthusiastic greeting during special assembly at Bode Middle School, which has adopted the Falcons as their favorite. A hundred students won a drawing to be excused from classes and support SPU at Wednesday’s mid-afternoon game.

Drury, the de facto home team, has taken the fast track to the top. The program is only four years old, yet averages 1,900 fans at each home game, with many expected to make the 225-mile drive from Springfield.

However, the biggest crowd puller is South Dakota State, the defending national champion and perhaps most battled-hardened team, having come out of the North Central Region, regarded as Presnell as the nation’s toughest. The North Central winner has won nine of the last 13 national titles. South Dakota State, bound for Div. I next fall, averages 2,400 for home attendance and, based in Brookings, is a five-hour drive from the Elite Eight site.

The other quarterfinal pairings are Henderson State (Ar.) vs. Quincy (Il.) at 12 PST, Merrimack (Ma.) vs. Augusta State (Ga.) at 4 p.m. and South Dakota State vs. California (Pa.) at 8. Winners advance to Thursday night’s semifinals. The championship game is Saturday and will be aired live on ESPN2.