Westfield, Mass.— For the third straight year, the Westfield State Owls have been selected by the seven coaches around the league to win the 2018-19 MASCAC Women's Basketball Championship.

Westfield State, the 2017-18 MASCAC Regular Season and Tournament Champions, received six first place votes for 36 points. The Owls were 11-1 during MASCAC action last season. All-Conference honoree Lucy Barrett returns after tallying 15.4 points per game in 19.6 minutes a contest with a league-best 89.2 free throw percentage, 62 steals and 44 assists on the season. 

In the second spot with 29 votes is Framingham State. The Rams were 9-3 in league play in 2017-18. Reigning MASCAC Player of the Year Mary Kate O'Day looks to repeat her success after leading the league in points per game with 18.5 and added 6.4 rebounds a game, 57 assists, 30 steals and 13 blocks.  

Grabbing the final first place vote with 27 points in third is Worcester State. The Lancers finished last season's conference schedule at 6-6. Coming back for the team is Brittany Herring. Last season, she averaged 12.9 points and eight rebounds a game while also leading the league in field goal percentage at 57.3 percent and total blocks with 83. She rounded out the stat sheet with 62 assists and 20 steals.   

Up next in fourth is Bridgewater State with 20 points. The Bears had a 6-6 record in league action. Sara DaSilva averaged 9.3 points and 2.6 rebounds a game while also grabbing 64 assists, 59 steals and seven blocks throughout the 2017-18 season.

Sitting in fifth with 15 points is Fitchburg State. The Falcons finished with three wins and returning for them is Angelina Marazzi who led the team in points per game with 15.8 while collecting 104 rebounds, 60 assists, 40 steals and a free throw percentage of 80.  

Closing out the preseason poll are Salem State and MCLA in sixth and seventh, respectively. The Vikings tallied five wins during the league season last year. Kia Fernandes, an All-Conference honoree, returns after averaging a double-double of 15.3 points and 10.1  rebounds which in the top five of the conference stat leaders. She also blocked 57 shots and added 28 assists and 13 steals. The Trailblazers had two wins last season during MASCAC play.  Courtney Pingelski led the team during the 2017-18 season with 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while also collecting 40 assists, 35 stals and seven blocks. 

The  2018-19 season begins for the MASCAC Women's Basketball teams over the next week with non-conference match-ups. Use mascac.com to see the full season schedule.

 

2018-19 MASCAC Women's Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1.	Westfield State	(6)	36 points
2.	Framingham State		29 points
3.	Worcester State	(1)	27 points
4.	Bridgewater State		20 points
5.	Fitchburg State		15 points
6.	Salem State		14 points
7.	MCLA		6 points

 

-- Release courtesy of the MASCAC