Women’s Basketball Picked Fourth in OAC Preseason Poll

(AUSTINTOWN, OH)—Mount Union's women's basketball team was picked fourth in the Ohio Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll.

The Purple Raiders had 61 points which was four points behind third ranked Baldwin Wallace.  Capital got seven first place votes and 79 points, Wilmington was second with 69 points and two first place votes, while Mount Union got the other first place vote.

The Purple Raiders under fifth year head coach Suzy Venet return four starters and seven letterwinners from a squad that went 16-9 and finished tied for fourth place in the OAC a year ago.

Among the returning starters are leading scorer senior Tessa Pahovey (Strasburg/Tusky Valley) and leading rebounder sophomore Amanda Rose (Uniontown/Green).

“We have a very experienced squad that has a lot of untapped potential,” commented Venet.  “We are going to have to work hard to compete in a conference as strong as the OAC.”

Aside from the always challenging OAC schedule, the Raiders non-conference slate includes a season opener at home against Hiram College and a tournament at Waynesburg (PA).

OAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Capital (7) - 79

2. Wilmington (2) - 69

3. Baldwin Wallace - 65

4. Mount Union (1) - 61

5. John Carroll - 45

6. Otterbein - 43

7. Ohio Northern - 35

8. Heidelberg - 22

9. Muskingum - 21

10. Marietta - 10