FREELAND, Mich.-- The Trine women's basketball team was picked to finish second in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in the conference preseason poll, released Wednesday.
The Thunder received votes totaling 56 points in the poll, including two first place votes. Hope finished at the top of the poll, seven points in front of the Thunder. The poll was selected by the MIAA coaches, who could not vote for their own team. Trine finished last season 19-8 overall, the team's best season since joining NCAA Division III. The Thunder won eight straight games to reach the MIAA Tournament Championships for the first time in team history. Trine also defeated three ranked opponents, including MIAA foe Calvin, twice.
Trine returns two All-MIAA second team honorees in Hayley Martin (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) and Brandi Dawson (Garrett, Ind./Garrett). Martin provides low-post offense and led the MIAA in scoring during the regular season. Dawson is an athletic perimeter player who was the team's second-leading scorer.
The Thunder brings back all five starters from last season including Ashley Elliott (Scottsburg, Ind./Scottsburg), Taylor Cole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Shepherd) and Cassidy Williams (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold). Point guard Cole is the teams only senior. Elliott ranked fourth in the MIAA in free throw percentage.
Others returning from the playing rotation include Shelby Oldham (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central), Shaely Duff (Greenfield, Ind./Mount Vernon) and Montana Martin (Columbia City, Ind./Churubusco). Trine adds four transfers and two freshmen to its roster.
Trine opens its season on Nov. 18 at the Beth Baker Classic in Wheaton, Ill. The Thunder will take on Wisconsin-Platteville at 2 p.m. Trine will begin home play on Nov. 22 when it plays host to Oberlin for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
The complete results of the MIAA Preseason Poll are listed below.
Team Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Hope (7) 63
2. Trine (2) 56
3. Calvin 52
4. Adrian 41
5. Albion 31
6. Olivet 26
7. Alma 22
8. Kalamazoo 16
9. Saint Mary's 13