The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) released its 2010 preseason coaches' poll and Northwestern is tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the conference championship. The Red Raiders, who finished a perfect 16-0 in conference play for the second straight year in 2009, totaled 121 points and 11 of 12 first place votes. They are followed by Morningside (101), Doane (97) and Dordt (96). The Defenders received the other first place vote.

Northwestern finished the 2009 season ranked third in the NAIA with a 36-3 overall record. Head coach Kyle Van Den Bosch, who will begin his sixth season with the Red Raiders, and his squad qualified for its fourth consecutive national tournament, reaching the quarterfinals for the third straight year before falling to Lee University (Tenn.). Northwestern will open the 2010 season at home on August 27-28 as they host the Red Raider Classic.