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Women's Basketball

Mount Saint Mary selected as Skyline Conference preseason favorite in Women's Basketball; Blue Knights eye 11th straight conference title

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. - Mount Saint Mary College has been selected as the Skyline Conference preseason favorite in women's basketball... and why not?  The Blue Knights have won 10 consecutive Skyline Conference titles and have made 10 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.  With the team's top six scorers back from last season, the Mount appears ready for another run at a title.

Mount Saint Mary entered the 2008-09 season with a number of question marks.  The team needed to replace three starters from a team that won its opening round NCAA tournament game.  Not only did veteran head coach Randy Ognibene manage to replace three senior starters, he directed the Blue Knights to an 18-0 mark in conference play (24-5 overall) and another first-round victory in the NCAA Tournament.  The top six scorers are back from last season, led by senior All-Skyline performers Meredith Paggi (16.8 ppg) and Shannon Sangster (11.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg).

Mount Saint Vincent, which was picked second, has been closing fast on the top teams in the Skyline Conference.  Like Mount Saint Mary, Mount Saint Vincent has few questions heading into the season.  The Dolphins, led by second-year head coach Gerald Davis, return their top seven scorers from last season.  A core of seniors, including guards Lauren Percodani (8.9 ppg, 4.7 apg) and Karissa Koerner (13.8 ppg) along with center Courtney Heesemann (12.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), have started since they were freshmen and have the poise to challenge for the title.

Farmingdale State has advanced to the Skyline championship game six straight years, but has been unable to upend Mount Saint Mary.  The Rams return Skyline Conference Player of the Year in senior guard Kimberly Blakney.  Blakney averaged 24.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.7 steals per game as a junior last season.

Old Westbury, picked fourth after going 18-10 last season, will need to replace its top three scorers from last season, including all-conference selections Pamela Robinson and Samantha Johnson.

SKYLINE CONFERENCE
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL 
1. Mount Saint Mary    (8) 80 
2. Mount Saint Vincent (2) 71 
3. Farmingdale State       68 
4. Old Westbury            55 
5. Purchase                43
6t. NYU-Poly               41
6t. St. Joseph's-L.I.      41
8t. Bard                   20
8t. Sage                   20
10. Yeshiva                11


(First-place votes in parentheses)