HAMDEN, CT – The Quinnipiac women's basketball team earned eight votes in the 2018-19 USA Today Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll, as announced today by the USA Today Sports Board of Coaches. The Bobcats received the 39
th-most votes in the national poll as their standing and total points (8) reflect the program's second-highest ranking in the USA Today Coaches' preseason poll.
Quinnipiac's eight votes are the fourth-highest among all mid-majors in the poll while the Bobcats are potentially set to face *** teams that are either currently ranked in the Top 25 or are receiving votes, including No. 8 Texas (Nov. 23), No.14 Missouri, and No. 20 Duke (potential opponents at Gulf Coast Showcase on Nov. 23-25). Michigan and Washington, two more possible opponents at the Gulf Coast Showcase, received 53 votes and 12 votes, respectively. Central Michigan (23 votes), Princeton (2 votes), and Central Florida (1 votes) are all on the 2018-19 slate for
Tricia Fabbri's squad as well. Topping the USA Today Coaches' Preseason Top 25 are Notre Dame, UConn, Oregon, Louisville, and Baylor.
The storybook 2016-17 Sweet 16 season for Quinnipiac women's basketball ended with the program's first-ever national ranking as the Bobcats earned the No. 23 spot in the final USA Today Coaches' Poll of that season. Quinnipiac had twice before received votes in national polls, during the 2012-13, 2014-15, and 2017-18 seasons, as today's announcement marks the fifth season in program history the Bobcats have received votes in a national poll.
College Insider's top-ranked mid-major program for the second straight season, Quinnipiac returns almost the entire team that returned to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, including the two-time MAAC Preseason Player of the Year
Aryn McClure (Springfield Gardens, New York) along with 2018-19 All-MAAC Preseason First Team selection and 2018 MAAC Championship MOP
Jen Fay (Lynbrook, New York), 2018 All-MAAC Second Team selection
Paula Strautmane (Riga, Latvia) and fellow seniors Edel Thornton and Brittany Martin, who both appeared in nearly all of Quinnipiac's contests a year ago and each averaged 5+ points per game. Backed by three-time MAAC Coach of the Year
Tricia Fabbri, the MAAC Preseason favorite will look for a third consecutive MAAC title this season.