New York, N.Y. - The 10 Skyline Conference head women's basketball coaches have cast their votes for the 2017-18 preseason coaches poll and Old Westbury sits atop the ledger after receiving five first-place votes.
Head coach Michael Krasnoff's Panthers (23-4, 15-3 Skyline) received 72 points in the tally. Junior center Charlotte Renker (Mineola, N.Y.) returns for Old Westbury after averaging a double-double (12.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg) and swatting 50 blocked shots a season ago.
Mount Saint Mary College (one first-place vote) and the Farmingdale State women's basketball team (two) placed second and third in the tally with 68 and 67 points, respectively. FSC returns six players from last years roster including senior forward Essence Casey (Huntington Station, N.Y.), who was named Second Team All-Conference last season as well as senior guards Kaelyn Ward (East Hampton, N.Y.) (8.4 ppg, 2.8 spg) and Liz Durchhalter (Franklin Square, N.Y.) (5.0 ppg, 2.0 spg).
The College of Mount Saint Vincent (58) and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (56) complete the top-five after garnering one first-place vote apiece.
The six-team 2018 Skyline Conference Women's Basketball Championship opens up with first-round action on Feb. 20, with the semifinals and final taking place on Feb. 22 and 24, respectively. The winner receives the Skyline's automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship.
2017-18 Skyline Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Old Westbury (5 first-place votes) - 72 pts.
2. Mount Saint Mary (1) - 68
3. Farmingdale State (2) - 67
4. Mount Saint Vincent (1) - 58
5. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1) - 56
6. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn - 40
7. St. Joseph's-Long Island - 30
8. Purchase - 26
9. Yeshiva - 21
10. Sarah Lawrence - 12