BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League released its preseason poll and five-member preseason All-League team for women's basketball on Monday morning, with Loyola University Maryland ranked seventh out of 10 institutions.

The Greyhounds received 62 points in the poll, putting them seven back of Colgate in sixth place and three ahead of Army West Point in eighth. Voting was conducted by the Patriot League's head coaches and athletic communications women's basketball contacts.

Eight returners and five newcomers make up this year's roster for the Greyhounds, who begin their season with a 12 p.m. matchup at American on Saturday. Among those returning are senior Delaney Connolly (7.0 ppg, team-high 32 made 3-pointers) and junior Laryn Edwards (7.1 ppg, 2.4 apg), who combined to start 52 games last season.

Also back are senior Isabella Therien and junior Taleah Dixon, who both played key roles in previous years before missing all or a majority of the 2019-20 season due to injury. Therien was the 2018 Patriot League Rookie of the Year after ranking sixth among all freshmen in Division I in points per game (15.2), and she led the Greyhounds with 14.3 points per game during an injury-abbreviated sophomore campaign in 2018-19. Dixon, who was out all of last season, was a Patriot League All-Rookie selection in 2019 after averaging 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 28 appearances as a freshman.

Other returners for Loyola include sophomores Emily McAteer, Bri Rozzi, Ava Therien and Emma Glezen. McAteer became Loyola's sixth All-Rookie Team honoree in the last seven years after averaging 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in her debut campaign. Ava Therien, who is Isabella's younger sister, shot a team-high 52.1 percent from the field last season.

Junior Devyne Newman, a transfer from St. Joseph's, and freshmen Caramina Tañedo, Kayla Sieper, Bella Steidle and Charia Roberts round out the 2020-21 roster. Newman appeared in 40 games across her first two collegiate seasons at St. Joseph's.

Bucknell, which topped the Patriot League standings after finishing 24-6 (16-2 PL) a year ago, was ranked first in this season's preseason poll with 160 points and 15 out of 20 first-place votes. Loyola was one of two teams to defeat the Bison in conference play last winter, topping Bucknell by a 60-50 final on January 25. 

Lafayette senior forward Natalie Kucowski was selected as the conference's Preseason Player of the Year. The full preseason poll and All-League Team is available below.

Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Bucknell – 160 (15 first-place votes)
Boston University – 145 (5)
Lafayette – 121
Lehigh – 112
American – 91
Colgate – 69
Loyola – 62
Army – 59
Holy Cross – 58
Navy – 24

Women's Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Jade Edwards, American, Jr., G
Katie Nelson, Boston University, Sr., G
Abby Kapp, Bucknell, Sr., G
Avery LaBarbera, Holy Cross, Jr., G
Natalie Kucowski, Lafayette, Sr., F
 
Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year: Natalie Kucowski, Lafayette, Sr., F