LILBURN, Ga. - The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) have released the week four edition of their national poll. The Malone University women's basketball have made the jump to #21 in the nation following their 8-0 start. The Pioneers were ranked #25 in last week's poll.
 
Grand Valley State University is atop the poll and are one of seven undefeated squads left in the top-25 at 8-0 as well. Malone is the lone team represented from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) still remaining on the ballot.
 
The rebounding battle has been key for the Pioneers so far this season. Malone is +10.8 on the glass, the 13th-best mark in all of NCAA DII, and have outrebounded their opponents in seven of the team's eight games played. Senior center Erin Kaufman has four double-doubles and is averaging a team-high 9.4 rebounds per contest. 30 of Kaufman's 75 total rebounds have been on the offensive end of the floor.
 
Kaufman netted a career-high 30 points in the team's most recent victory over Tiffin University, and the game before that against Ursuline College saw junior forward Elena Oliver score a career-high 20 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting effort. Oliver has seen an increase in role this season and has started in all eight games. Freshman Bridget Barber made her first career start at home against the Dragons and she contributed six points and four rebounds in the win.
 
Up next, the Pioneers are on the road at Cedarville University on Thursday, December 11 beginning at 5:30 P.M.