ELSAH, IL – For the first time in program history, the Principia women's basketball team has been ranked #1 in the SLIAC preseason poll voted on by the coaches.
The defending champion Panthers only graduated one senior and return all five starters from from last year's team that made school history by winning the conference tournament. The team is ready to prove that last season was not a fluke as they come into this year as the favorites to repeat.
Principia received 59 points in the poll, while Webster – the team Principia beat in the finals – was right behind with 57 points. Westminster came in third with 50 points, and Greenville was fourth with 44 points. Spalding, MUW, Lyon, Eureka, and Blackburn rounded out the final five in that order.
The Panthers will be led by a starting lineup of all senior impact players. Three-time All-Conference member
Taylor Brown led the team in scoring each of the last three seasons. Three-time All-Defensive team member
Ariana Williams led the team in rebounding last year and was second in scoring. Fellow All-Defensive team member
Lamiya Terrell led the team in assists and led the whole conference in steals. Last year's Tournament MVP
Trinniti Matthews led the team in blocks and was second in rebounds.
Hannah Myers, who hit the buzzer beater to win the championship, led the team in three-pointers while contributing across the board.
The team also features several key contributors off the bench in juniors
Genesis Santiago,
Elyssa White, and
Erinn Porter, as well as sophomores
Kylie Huber and
Briana Baldridge. Juniors
Natalea Clark and
Isabella Pierce, and sophomores
Alexis Matthews and
Nylah Young are excited to return to form as they come back from injuries that kept them out most of last season. Lastly, freshmen
Adriyanna Phillips,
Holly Gilliam, and
Gabriela Carmona Gomez will all be looking to make a big impact in their first season.
We can't wait to watch the women play this season, which begins with the Panther Classic, a home tournament that will feature four other schools playing multiple games in Hay Field House on November 7-9. The Panthers home opener will be November 7 at 7:30 PM against Illinois College.
