AMCC Basketball Preseason Poll

2008-09 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
PRESEASON COACHES' POLL

PITT-GREENSBURG PICKED TO WIN
AMCC WOMEN'S TITLE

Pitt-Greensburg is the coaches' top choice in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference preseason poll. Runners-up in the 2008 title game, the Bobcats' only AMCC championship came in 2002-03. Medaille College, winners of the last three AMCC tournaments, was ranked second, while Penn St. Behrend came in third.

Preseason Player of the Year honors went to 2008 AMCC Player of the Year Katie Moore of Pitt-Bradford. The senior guard/forward averaged 20.1 ppg to lead the league and rank #18 in the nation. Her career points total now stands at 993. The versatile player is also strong defensively with 5.0 rpg and 2.3 spg. Her honors last season included 2008 D3News Honoarable Mention All-American and ECAC South Region All-Star Second Team.

This season the conference welcomes Franciscan University of Steubenville to its ranks; the Barons are entering year two of NCAA provisional membership. The AMCC kicks off conference play on Saturday, December 3, and the championship will be Saturday, February 28, hosted by the number #1 seed. The winner will receive the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

AMCC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POLL
Preseason Rankings*

1. Pitt-Greensburg (2)
2. Medaille (1)
3. Penn St. Behrend (3)
4. La Roche (4)
5. Mount Aloysius (4)
6. Penn St. Altoona (6)
7. Pitt-Bradford (8)
8. Frostburg St. (7)
9. Franciscan (N/A)
10. Hilbert (9)

* Number in parentheses is order of regular season finish in 2008

Preseason Player of the Year
KATIE MOORE
Pitt-Bradford

FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY Head Coach Kelly Herrmann (7th year) 2007-08: 8-9 overall
Junior G Cara Mitchell (Annandale, VA/Paul VI)...No information available. Junior G Jessica Belleque (Salem, OR/Blanchet Catholic)...No information available.
FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY Head Coach Jody Pepple (8th year) 2007-08: 6-12 AMCC, 9-16 overall
Sophomore G Elizabeth Carrington (Clinton, MD/Oxon Hill HS)...Honorable mention all-conference in 2008...averaged 10.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg...led the Bobcats with 64 steals, ranked #6 in the AMCC.
HILBERT COLLEGE Head Coach Kara Rehbaum (5th year) 2007-08: 0-18 AMCC, 0-25 overall
No information available.
LA ROCHE COLLEGE Head Coach Eddie Benton Jr. (5th year) 2007-08: 9-9 AMCC, 14-12 overall
Sophomore G Jaquaylla Kessler (Wilkinsburg, PA/Wilkinsburg)...The Redhawks' second leading scorer and rebounder last season with 7.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg...played in all 26 games, started 13. Sophomore G Chantelle Jennings (Pittsburgh, PA/Oakland Catholic)...Started 25 of 26 games in 2008...scored 6.6 ppg and 2.9 rpg along with 9 blocks and 20 steals.
MEDAILLE COLLEGE Head Coach Pete Lonergan (6th Year) 2007-08: 17-1 AMCC, 26-3 overall
Senior G Carissa Ferrucci (Hamburg, NY/Immaculata)...Averaged 8.0 ppg, 2.6 apg and 2.4 spg in 2008...ranks in the top ten all-time at Medaille in scoring (681– 8^th), assists (236– 4^th), steals (205– 3^rd), and field goals made (290 – 8^th)...a lightning quick guard, she will take on a leadership role this year on both ends of the floor.
MOUNT ALOYSIUS COLLEGE Head Coach Brian Gennett (3rd year) 2007-08: 9-9 AMCC, 14-10 overall
Senior G Lindsey Bush (Altoona, PA/Altoona)...First team all-conference player in 2008...ranked second in the AMCC in scoring (18.0 ppg)...#2 rebounder for the Mounties with 6.01 rpg, including 3.52 defensive boards per game...shot 43% from the field and 71% from the line.
PENN STATE ALTOONA Head Coach Donna Kling (4th year) 2007-08: 7-11 AMCC, 10-16 overall
Junior G/F Alicia Glasser (Marion Center, PA/Marion Center)...Ranked in the top 15 in the conference last year in scoring (11.2 ppg), top 5 in 3FG% (36.7%), and top 7 in FT% (76%)...also recorded 10 blocks to go with 4.5 rpg. Sophomore G Courtney Carroll (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle)...Led the Lions in minutes played last season...averaged 8.8 ppg and 2.8 apg...ranked in top 10 in the AMCC in assists and top 15 in steals (1.9 spg).
PENN STATE BEHREND Head Coach Roz Fornari (16th year) 2007-08: 11-7 AMCC, 14-13 overall
Sophomore G Kelly Nowacinski (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep)...Quickest player on the team...her speed gives the Behrend Lions more flexibility on the floor...expected to be an impact player. Sophomore G Amy Oldach (Erie, PA/Villa Academy)...Played in all 27 games last year...averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.3 apg...has a very skillful handle and really developed her game in the off season...leads the team naturally...special player who will be difficult to read for defenders.
PITT-BRADFORD Head Coach Allan King, Jr. (2nd year) 2007-08: 3-15 AMCC, 5-20 overall
Senior G Katie Moore (Warren, PA/Warren Area)...The 2008 AMCC Player of the Year averaged 20.1 ppg to lead the league and rank #18 in the nation...career points total now at 993...strong defensively with 5.0 rpg and 2.3 spg...honors included 2008 D3News Honoarable Mention All-American and ECAC South Region All-Star Second Team. Senior G Michelle Kushner (McKees Rocks, PA/Sto-Rox)...Started every game last season...contributed 11.4 ppg and shot 35% from three-point range.
PITT-GREENSBURG Head Coach Carol Gelet (10th year) 2007-08: 14-4 AMCC, 23-7 overall
Junior F Kelsey Wilcox (Dubois, PA/Dubois)...Honorable mention all-conference selection last season...averaged 14.0 ppg and 8.0 rpg to go with a 48.4 FG% and 66.2% FT%...also contributed 45 assists, 29 blocks and 58 steals. Senior G Nicole Reiser (Renfrew, PA/Knoch)...Second team all-AMCC in 2008...averaged 12.0 ppg and shot 43% from the field, 45% from the 3-point arc...also recorded 5.0 rpg and 4.7 apg as an all-court threat.