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WESTERVILLE - The Marietta College women’s basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the Ohio Athletic Conference Preseason Poll announced Wednesday (Oct. 21) morning by the conference office.
“While we are right around where we anticipated, we believe this team can compete at an even higher level, and we’re ready to prove that throughout this season,” said Marietta College head coach Jenna Andersen. “With a strong group of familiar faces returning and valuable experience gained on the court last season, we have a great foundation to continue building and taking steps forward as a program.”
In a very narrow vote, last year’s tournament champions, Otterbein University, received five first place votes, totaling 61 points, to receive the top spot in the poll. Baldwin Wallace University, last season’s regular season champs, received the other four first place votes and placed second with 60 points.
The University of Mount Union got third place with 46 points. Ohio Northern University received 43 points in the poll to put them in fourth place. The Pioneers garnered 36 points in the very close poll to place them fifth.
The bottom four included Capital University (27 points), Muskingum University (24 points), Wilmington College (19 points), and Heidelberg University with eight points.
Last season the Pioneers went 12-14 overall and 7-9 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, giving them the number six seed in the OAC tournament. Marietta was then knocked off by Mount Union in the quarterfinal round to end the season.
“We’re excited to get this season going and see what this group can accomplish together,” concluded Andersen. “While the preseason poll gives us a starting point, we want to continue to grow, compete at a high level, and improve upon last year’s results. We’re looking forward to the challenges ahead and can’t wait to see where this team stands when the final poll comes out at the end of the season!”
Marietta opens the season at home against Penn State Altoona on Saturday, Nov. 7, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
The complete poll is below. First-place votes are in parenthesis.
OAC Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Otterbein (5) -- 61
2. Baldwin Wallace (4) -- 60
3. Mount Union -- 46
4. Ohio Northern -- 43
5. Marietta -- 36
6. Capital-- 27
7. Muskingum -- 24
8. Wilmington -- 19
9. Heidelberg -- 8