EMU, R-MC and W&L Join LC in Earning First Place Consideration

FOREST, Va. --- Four teams earned first place consideration in the 2015 ODAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll, but for the second straight year Lynchburg College heads the list after receiving six first place votes towards 114 total points.  Eastern Mennonite University picked up three top nods and 106 total points, while Randolph-Macon College secured 92 tallies including one first place vote.  Washington and Lee University sits fourth with 89 points and the remaining two top votes.

A pair of schools represented the ODAC in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third year running, but that came after a brand new champion hoisted the conference hardware.  Virginia Wesleyan College, playing out of the fourth position, made a run to the title with three wins in the Salem Civic Center, including a 59-57 nail-biter over Lynchburg in the championship game.

VWC and Eastern Mennonite continued their seasons in the NCAA Tournament, with the Royals earning an at-large bid.  The Marlins nearly pulled off another first against host New York University in the first round, but the Violets came away with a 51-50 victory.  EMU was on the other side of a one-point affair in its opening game, securing a 77-76 win over La Roche.  That setup a second round matchup with Thomas More College, which defeated the Royals, 85-65.

More than half of last year's All-ODAC honorees will be back in action in 2015-16 as 12-of-18 recognized athletes return to ODAC courts.  The talent conference fans will see each night includes a pair of All-ODAC First Team honorees.  Katie Anderson is back to lead the Randolph-Macon front line, while 2015 ODAC Player of the Year and women's Jostens Trophy recipient, Jess Rheinheimer, spearheads EMU's roster.

Lynchburg (19-9 overall, 12-4 ODAC) head coach Abby Pyzik Smith will be looking for options to replace three-time All-ODAC First Team honoree Shannon Allan, and she just may have the talent to do it.  Forward Chaney Forbush (10.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 81.1 ft%, 33 blk) picked up All-ODAC Second Team accolades, while guard Charmaine Hairston (11.3 ppg, 37 3fg) was an All-ODAC Third Team selection.  Point guard Sammi Goldsmith (5.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 142 ast, 42 stl) makes it three starting Hornets back in the Hill City.  Forwards Sarah Coon (2.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Caroline Naumann (3.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and guards Olivia DeFrancesco (6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 34 3fg) and Sarah Coronel (2.4 ppg) provide experience and will likely push for starting time.

It all begins with Rheinheimer (7.8 rpg, 50.6 fg%, 55 3fg, 26 blk, 42 stl) for Eastern Mennonite (23-5, 15-1).  The senior forward's list of honors includes the ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete award as well as Capital Once Academic All-America recognition, not to mention the ODAC's scoring trophy (20.0 ppg).  Reigning ODAC Coach of the Year Kevin Griffin will need to replace his top post option in former first teamer Shakeerah Sykes, but he does feature two more returning starters in guards Alicia Ygarza (2.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 61 ast) and Sa'Mone Moore (6.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg).  EMU will also look to guard Myneshia Walker (4.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg).

Randolph-Macon (20-5, 13-3) returns a pair from last season's all-conference team, led by first team forward Anderson (14.1 ppg, 39 stl), who topped the ODAC's rebounding charts (285 rebs, 11.4 rpg) as the only player to average double figures off the glass.  Sharpshooter Hannah Livermon (16.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 42 stl) led the ODAC in three-pointers made (77) on the way to second team laurels.  Point guard Khajae Hester (6.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 109 ast) is back to run the show, while forward Lauren Vugteveen (4.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 27 blk) may be ready for starting duties.

Washington and Lee (16-10, 8-8) improved by 10 wins from 2013-14 to 2014-15, and head coach Christine Clancy's roster boasts 4-of-5 returning starters, not to mention a plethora of experienced options off the bench.  Second team guard Jackie Clifford (12.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 61 ast) is joined by Paige Corvino (8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 50 stl) in the backcourt, while forwards Shelbi Hendricks (9.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and Emma Redding (7.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 22 blk) are back in starting in the frontcourt.  Emily Perszyk (9.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 51 3fg) returns to fire away from the perimeter, while Wesleigh Vick (2.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg) adds more punch down low.

Emory & Henry College (15-13, 8-8) played on a similar improvement trajectory to W&L last year, increasing its win total by seven from the previous season under now second-year head coach and former All-ODAC standout Anne Crutchfield.  All but one starter returns, led by the third team inside-outside duo of Karina Farr (12.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 50.2 fg%) and Megan Jacoby (9.0 ppg), who led the ODAC in assists (156) and steals (79).  Guard Chloe Harris (10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 76 ast, 55 stl) looks forward to a banner second season after earning ODAC Rookie of the Year honors and leading the conference in three-point shooting (47-of-109, .431).  Tamara Brewster (11.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg) joins Farr in the Wasps' frontcourt.

Guilford College (17-10, 10-6) continues to retool year-after-year, and this season will be no different following the graduation of three key starters. Do-everything forward Anais Weatherly (14.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 72 stl, 62 ast) is back in Greensboro following an All-ODAC Second Team season.  She's joined by guard Lauren Ramsey (7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 52 ast) in the starting lineup.  Heaven Walters (6.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Jordyn Brown (3.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg) will be among those asked to take the next step.

Bridgewater College (13-13, 7-9) is down just one starter from last season's squad.  Third team guard Cassidy Burkholder (14.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 65 stl, 88 ast) leads the way, while Jessica Lam (11.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 41 stl) and Jessi Strom (9.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 75 ast, 48 3fg) join her in the backcourt.  Oshene Kelly (9.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 52.8 fg%) can be dominant on the boards and may be asked to do more following the departure of former ODAC Rookie of the Year Heather Cantrell.

Reigning ODAC champion Virginia Wesleyan (19-10, 10-6) will be looking for five new starters in 2015-16 following the graduation of a senior class that included two-time first team guard Brittany Glasco.  Shooter Kelly Jones (7.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 38 3fg) is the leading returning scorer for the Marlins.  She along with forwards Naeemah Morris (2.2 ppg) and Alexis Platt (3.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and guard Crystal Strother (3.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg) will be relied upon early as a large set of underclassmen adjusts to the college game.

Randolph College (13-13, 4-12) and Roanoke College (8-18, 4-12) are separated by just two points in the preseason poll.  The WildCats are led by third team guard Abigail Bullins (12.9 ppg, 52 3fg).  Backcourt mates Taylor Samuels (5.7 ppg) and Jacqueline Hockman (7.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 37 stl) return to the starting lineup.  Korin Harris (6.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Daijah Johnson (2.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and Alexis Calloway (3.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 24 blk) will push for starting roles.  The Maroons and second-year head coach Carla Flaherty feature second team forward Cary Beahm (17.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 51.4 fg%).  Forward Anna Carter (6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg) is back, while guard Kelsey Smith (8.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg in 6 games) is slated to return from injury.

Shenandoah University (8-18, 4-12) and Hollins University (3-23, 1-15) feature a pair young squads looking to climb the conference ladder.  Second-year mentor Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft features three turning starters in guards Kirstyn Arcata (9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg,) and Ashley McGhee (5.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 33 3fg) and forward Erin French (7.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 48 stl).  Hollins is under new leadership in 2015-16 with former Bridgewater guard and Lynchburg assistant coach Jenny Logan taking hold of the reins.  Her first squad includes a pair of returning starters in guards Jewell Parfitt (12.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 56 stl, 46 3fg) and Auburn Smith (3.2 ppg, 30 stl).

Listed below is the full 2015-16 ODAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll.  For more information on ODAC women's basketball, visit any of the participating school's websites, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com and view the women's basketball virtual media guide.  The virtual media guide will be updated with interviews featuring the ODAC's head coaches.

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2015-16 ODAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes