AU Women's Basketball Picked Third in Patriot League Preseason Poll

Oct. 30, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University women's basketball team was chosen to finish third in the 2008-09 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll after receiving two first-place votes and a total of 75 points. The Eagles had their most successful season since 1998 a year ago, finishing with an 18-14 overall record, an 11-3 conference record and their first-ever Patriot League Regular Season Championship. All eight women's basketball head coaches and eight sports information directors vote in the poll and cannot vote for their own team or players.

Holy Cross was chosen to finish first in the conference, receiving eight first-place votes and a total of 90 points. Lehigh was second, receiving 83 points and six first-place votes. Following American in the third spot are Army (60 points), Bucknell (53), and Lafayette (38). Navy (35) and Colgate (14) round out the seventh and eighth spots, respectively.

American, who went undefeated on the road last season in league play and qualified for the Postseason WNIT Tournament for only the second time in program history, will enter 2008-09 under the tutelage of new head coach Matt Corkery. Corkery was an assistant at AU for the previous four seasons, and served as associate head coach a year ago.

The Eagles lost three starters from a year ago, but return point guard Pam Stanfield and guard Talicia Jackson, both seniors to the starting line-up. Redshirt junior Nicole Ryan returns to the mix this season after suffering a year-ending injury a year ago and will join sophomores Michelle Kirk and Ashley Yencho at the guard position. Also returning are all-rookie team selection Liz Leer and senior Sahar Nusseibeh at the post position. Transfer Brittany Bell (Delaware) and an incoming class of six freshmen give Corkery a lot of depth and options.

"It is not surprising to see Holy Cross and Lehigh picked one and two in the preseason poll," said AU head coach Matt Corkery. "Both teams have talent, experience and great coaches who know how to be successful in Patriot League play. We will do our best to play spoiler when we match up with them down the road."

The Eagles open up the 2008-09 slate on Friday Nov. 14 at NJIT. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.