MARIST COLLEGE HEADS MAAC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
MAAC Sports
EDISON, N.J. ? The Marist College Red Foxes, off the heels of their Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, have been chosen by the league’s head coaches as the MAAC’s team to beat in 2007-08.
Marist’s sixth year head coach Brian Giorgis will try to build on the success that has earned the Red Foxes at least a share of the regular season MAAC title in four consecutive seasons. Last season’s MAAC Rookie of the Year Rachele Fitz, a 6-0 forward, will look to improve upon her first year campaign that saw her finish in the conference’s top ten in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. Also returning for the Red Foxes is All-MAAC second team selection Meg Dahlman (11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg).
The Fairfield University Stags lead the charge behind Marist. The Stags went 11-7 in the MAAC last season, their first winning record in the conference since 2000-01. All-MAAC first team selection Sabra Wrice, a senior guard, was the conference’s second leading scorer last season, averaging 15.7 points per game. The Stags also return All-MAAC second team member Baendu Lowenthal (11.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg).
The Saints of Siena College, who had a league record of 8-10 and went 10-20 overall a year ago, were chosen third in the coaches’ poll. Senior forward Laura Menty (15.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .558 FG%) will lead the Saints push for a league title. Junior Shondaya Burrell (11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg) is a scoring threat from anywhere inside the arc and provides rebounds from the guard position.
2006-07 Coach of the Year Joe Logan will lead the Loyola College Greyhounds, picked fourth in the coaches’ poll, into the new season. He will look to last year’s Sixth Player of the Year Vika Sholokhova to assume a larger role.
The Manhattan College Lady Jaspers, led by senior forward Caitlin Flood, were chosen fifth in the coaches’ poll. Flood, an All-MAAC third team selection, averaged 13.8 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game last season.
Iona College, Canisius College, Saint Peter’s College, Niagara University, and Rider University round out the coaches’ poll.
| 2007-08 Preseason Coaches Poll |
| 1. |
Marist |
100 |
| 2. |
Fairfield |
75 |
| 3. |
Siena |
73 |
| 4. |
Loyola |
63 |
| 5. |
Manhattan |
59 |
| 6. |
Iona |
58 |
| 7. |
Canisius |
55 |
| 8. |
Saint Peter's |
31 |
| 9. |
Niagara |
22 |
| 10. |
Rider |
14 |