College Women’s Basketball News – Guilford Ranked First in Preseason ODAC Poll

Salem, Va. – Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) women’s basketball coaches selected Guilford College first in their annual preseason poll. The rankings were released by the league Thursday at the annual ODAC Women’s Basketball Media Day at the Salem Civic Center, which also hosts the league’s postseason tournament.

Guilford College received nine of the 12 first-place votes for 116 overall points and the poll’s top spot for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Lynchburg College, the defending ODAC champion, was tabbed second with 107 points and received one first-place vote. Washington and Lee University collected 98 points and a single first-place vote for third place. Emory & Henry College earned 92 points and one first-place vote for the fourth spot. Virginia Wesleyan College rounded out the top five with 73 points.

This will be the Quakers’ 14th season with head coach Stephanie Flamini on the sidelines. Guilford returns nearly all of the 2015-16 squad, which recorded a 22-6 record, including a win in the NCAA Tournament. Senior Anais Weatherly (15.0 ppg), a First Team All-ODAC pick, and junior Lauren Ramsey (11.0 ppg), a Third Team All-ODAC pick, look to lead the Quakers back to the NCAA tournament. Other returning starters include seniors Kate Clark (4.0 ppg), Amy Steller (7.7 ppg), and Heaven Walters (8.1 ppg). Top reserves like sophomore Essence Abraham (7.4 ppg) and junior Jordyn Brown (4.8 ppg) will also contribute this season.

Guilford opens its season at home against cross-town rival Greensboro College Nov.15.

2016-17 ODAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes First Place Votes

1. Guilford (9) – 116 pts.
2. Lynchburg (1) – 107 pts.
3. Washington and Lee (1) – 98 pts.
4. Emory & Henry (1) – 92 pts.
5. Virginia Wesleyan – 73 pts.
6. Roanoke – 70 pts.
7. Eastern Mennonite – 67 pts.
8. Bridgewater – 61 pts.
9. Randolph-Macon – 43 pts.
10. Shenandoah – 31 pts.
11. Hollins – 18 pts.
12. Randolph – 16 pts