SLIAC announces Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

St. Louis, Mo. - The Fontbonne University women's basketball team was picked seventh in this year's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll.

Spalding University was chosen to win the regular season with five first-place votes while Greenville College was a close second with three first-place votes. Westminster College and Iowa Wesleyan rounded out the top four respectively, just one point apart.

The Griffins, who have lost three seniors since the summer, will look to Emmie Haring and Lauren Willis to guide the team. The duo are the only seniors this year after DeAmbra Pilkinton took a season-ending injury early this school year and Olivia Hollander and Molly Ray decided not to return. Pilkinton was the Griffins' leading scorer last year.

Fontbonne was tabbed with 22 points. The Griffins finished last year with an 8-17 overall record, going 7-11 in the SLIAC. Head Coach Maureen Sias brings back just one starter with Haring but the Griffins return six other from last season with a total roster size of 16 players.

The Griffins will look to go inside more this year with newcomer Raven Venegas down low. Haring will once again guide the point. She was named Second Team All-Conference and All-Defensive Team last year after averaging 8.3 points per game and leading the conference in both assists and steals. Sophomore forward Kaitlynn Walker is also back after playing in 20 games last year and averaging 4.7 points per game.

FULL SLIAC RELEASE

Coaches Preseason Poll