Freedom Women’s Basketball
November 11, 2008
DeSales Favored in Freedom Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
Annville, Pa. – DeSales has been chosen as the favorite to win the Freedom Conference women’s basketball title in a preseason coaches poll. DeSales (26-4, 11-1) received eight first place votes and a total of 73 points. Under Coach of the Year Fred Richter, the Bulldogs will return four of five starters from a year ago that won the Freedom Conference title and advanced to the NCAA “Sweet 16.” The Bulldogs are ranked #9 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll and will be led by the Conference Player of the Year and D3hoops.com preseason First Team All American, senior LeighAnn Burke (19.3 ppg). Also returning are senior Kim Rarick (15.1 ppg, led the nation in free throw shooting at 93%) and junior Caitlin Miller (8.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg). Rarick earned first team all conference honors while Miller was a second team selection.
King’s (14-12, 8-4) was second in the poll with 59 total points.
The Lady Monarchs will enter the season looking to overcome the loss of three starters lost to graduation and a young and inexperienced squad. The team will be led by returning first team all conference selection Kaitlyn Fiorino, who averaged 17.0 points and 4.4 rebounds while canning 65 three pointers. Junior forward Kaitlyn Malshefski is also back after enjoying a strong second half of last season. Malshefski developed into one of Kings top players the final month of the season and averaged 6.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per-game.
FDU-Florham (18-11, 7-5) placed third in the poll with 58 points and one first place vote.
FDU-Florham will look to avenge their championship loss a season ago to DeSales. Under the direction of interim head coach Jenn Noon, look for FDU to make a run back to the championship game. The 18 win season was the most in school history. Back is first team all conference selection Emily Cerankowski (18.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg).
Alvernia (14-14, 12-4) was selected fourth with 49 points
In their final year of PAC competition, the Alvernia squad gave a run to remember, including memorable final clashes with conference rival Gwynedd-Mercy. Though the young team came up just short, they established the building blocks for the future, upon entering the Freedom Conference in 2008-09. Sophomore 2nd team all PAC Kelli McIntyre will lead the offensive attack after averaging 14.3 points per game to go along with 40 steals.
Delaware Valley received 47 points in the poll placing them fifth.
The Aggies finished fourth in the regular season at 7-5 and 13-13 overall. Second team all conference selection Kim Vennera (13.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Rookie of the Year Brittany Battinieri (10.9 ppg) are the lone returning starters that head a young roster.
Manhattanville (13-12, 4-8) received 39 points for sixth place.
Following an encouraging 13 win season a year ago, Manhattanville looks to break into the postseason tournament. In her second year as head coach, Candace Brown led the Valiants to a 13-12 record last season that nearly matched the program’s win total from the previous two seasons combined (14). Second team all conference player Olivia Nastasi (13.4 ppg) will help lead the Valiants to postseason play.
Misericordia landed the seventh spot with 37 points
In addition to playing their first season in the Freedom Conference, Misericordia must replace a pair of former team MVP's: Amy Hughes and Ericka Morrison and their 2,565 career points. Senior forward Julia DeGraw, a three-year letter winner, who averaged 12.9 points per game and is closing in on the 1,000-career point mark is expected to be the offensive leader.
Wilkes was eighth with 26 points
After a 2-23 overall record a season ago, the Lady Colonels have a good mix of key returnees and newcomers they will rely on to be competitive in the Freedom Conference. Returning to lead the team are senior forwards Chelsey Gosse (12.1 ppg) and Khadija Bates, the lone upperclassmen on the squad.
Eastern rounds out the poll in ninth place with 17 points.
Entering their first season in the Freedom Conference, the Eagles will build on their steady development at the end of last season. Leading the way will be junior forward Hannah Tobin (12.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg).
Freedom Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. DeSales 73 pts. (8)
2. King’s 59 pts.
3. FDU-Florham 58 pts. (1)
4. Alvernia 49 pts.
5. Delaware Valley 47 pts.
6. Manhattanville 39 pts.
7. Misericordia 37 pts.
8. Wilkes 26 pts.
9. Eastern 17 pts.
(first place votes in parenthesis)