FREELAND, MICH.-- The Trine women's basketball team was picked to finish eighth in the MIAA in the conference's preseason poll, which was released Tuesday.
The Thunder picked up 55 votes in the poll. Trine will enter a new era, as head coach Ryan Gould enters his first season at the helm of the program. In addition to serving as an assistant last season, Gould brings head coaching experience at the high school level at Fort Wayne Snider High School, as well as assistant coaching experience at Grace College. Trine finished last season 6-19 overall, with a 3-13 MIAA mark that placed the Thunder eighth in the conference. Defending-champion Hope was picked by the MIAA coaches to repeat as leage champion.
Leading the returners is point guard Kelsey Henselmeier (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville). The senior averaged 11.7 points and 2.7 assists per game last season. Alivia Recker (Arlington, Ohio/Arlington) took a big step forward in her development last season, averaging 9.3 points per contest in her sophomore campaign.
Kayla Dunn (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City) also returns with starting experience, while Taylor Cole (Mount Pleasant, Mich./Shephard), Katelyn Sager (Kell, Ill./Salem Community), Laura Rosekrans (Williamston, Mich./Williamston) and Sarah Miller (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown) bring returning experience from last year's playing rotation.
The team will see a large influx of new talent added to the roster this season, with 10 newcomers to the varsity roster. Included among the newcomers are six freshman.
Trine opens the season Saturday, Nov. 15 when they face Ohio Northern at the Franklin College Tip-Off Classic. For the complete schedule, click HERE.
The complete results of the preseason poll can be found below.
Place. Team- Points (First-Place)
1. Hope- 8 (8)
2. Calvin- 15 (1)
3. Olivet- 22
4. Kalamazoo- 36
5. Adrian- 38
6. Albion- 40
7. St. Mary's- 46
8. Trine- 55
9. Alma- 62