Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Timothy D. Sofranko
Mountain Hawks picked fourth in Patriot League preseason poll
12/28/2020 11:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Lehigh projected to reach semifinal round for third straight year
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The start of the 2020-21 season is finally upon us, just five days from the start, as Patriot League office announced its women's basketball preseason poll and All-League teams on Monday morning, voted on by the coaches and sports information directors.
Led by head coach Sue Troyan in her 26th season at the helm, the Lehigh women's basketball team was picked fourth in the preseason poll out of 10 teams, projected to reach the semifinal round of the tournament for the third consecutive season. The Mountain Hawks, a member of the Central mini-conference for the upcoming year, is the lowest ranked team of Bucknell (picked first) and Lafayette (third).
Lehigh finished the 2019-20 season with a 19-11 overall record and a 10-8 mark in Patriot League play. The Mountain Hawks reached the semifinal round after knocking off Colgate, 69-62 on the road in the quarterfinal round. Before Lehigh had the opportunity to face Boston University for a chance to play in the Patriot League Championship game for the first time since 2015, the remainder of the tournament was canceled following the outbreak of COVID-19.
The Mountain Hawks were picked first in the 2019-20 preseason poll after returning most of the starting lineup from the previous season. This year, Lehigh will look for new faces to replace much of the senior class including three-time All-Patriot League selection Camryn Buhr and three-time Academic All-Patriot League honoree Hannah Hedstrom.
Six freshmen make up Lehigh's Class of 2024 and the team returns two players from last year's starting lineup, junior guard Megan Walker and junior forward Emma Grothaus.
The Mountain Hawks get the 2020-21 season going at noon on Saturday as they face archrival Lafayette on the road for the season opener before returning to Stabler Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and
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
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 Maryland – 62
Army – 59
Holy Cross – 58
Navy – 24
*Student-athletes are listed alphabetically by institution.
Led by head coach Sue Troyan in her 26th season at the helm, the Lehigh women's basketball team was picked fourth in the preseason poll out of 10 teams, projected to reach the semifinal round of the tournament for the third consecutive season. The Mountain Hawks, a member of the Central mini-conference for the upcoming year, is the lowest ranked team of Bucknell (picked first) and Lafayette (third).
Lehigh finished the 2019-20 season with a 19-11 overall record and a 10-8 mark in Patriot League play. The Mountain Hawks reached the semifinal round after knocking off Colgate, 69-62 on the road in the quarterfinal round. Before Lehigh had the opportunity to face Boston University for a chance to play in the Patriot League Championship game for the first time since 2015, the remainder of the tournament was canceled following the outbreak of COVID-19.
The Mountain Hawks were picked first in the 2019-20 preseason poll after returning most of the starting lineup from the previous season. This year, Lehigh will look for new faces to replace much of the senior class including three-time All-Patriot League selection Camryn Buhr and three-time Academic All-Patriot League honoree Hannah Hedstrom.
Six freshmen make up Lehigh's Class of 2024 and the team returns two players from last year's starting lineup, junior guard Megan Walker and junior forward Emma Grothaus.
The Mountain Hawks get the 2020-21 season going at noon on Saturday as they face archrival Lafayette on the road for the season opener before returning to Stabler Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and
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
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 Maryland – 62
Army – 59
Holy Cross – 58
Navy – 24
*Student-athletes are listed alphabetically by institution.
Players Mentioned
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