MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Sunshine State Conference released its 2023-24 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll and Lynn University was selected fourth among 11 schools. The Fighting Knights garnered 72 total votes, finishing behind Tampa (95, 6 first place), Nova Southeastern (85, 4 first place) and Eckerd (82, 1 first place). The Spartans, favorites this year, went 19-1 in conference play a season ago and have won the regular season championship in each of the last three seasons.
Head coach Julia Tucker's program reached new heights in 2022-23, finishing third (14-6) in the SSC, while winning a program-record 23 games and making the conference title game. The team made its second-ever NCAA tournament appearance, losing in the first round to Lee.
This season, the Fighting Knights have a handful of student-athletes returning from the record-setting 2022-23 squad, including All-SSC Honorable Mention, Ella Fiore. Fiore averaged 12.4 ppg on 55.7% shooting while ranking 8th in the conference with 1.8 spg. Former SSC Freshman of the Year Rachel Romich also looks to make an impact this year, as well as returners Makayla Hemingway, Marianna Klavina and Danielle Montelbano.
Tucker has also added a blend of transfers and freshmen to the roster. Graduate students Taylor Boruff, Bella Sparaco and Carly Stroemel are new to the team, as well as freshmen Ava Byrne, Alana Francis and Trinity Mocadlo.
The Fighting Knights open their season on Nov. 10 at noon against Shorter in Miami Shores, Fla.
2023-24 SSC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Tampa – 95 (6)
2. Nova Southeastern – 85 (4)
3. Eckerd – 82 (1)
4. Lynn – 72
5. Florida Southern – 63
T6. Embry-Riddle – 44
T6. Palm Beach Atlantic – 44
8. Barry – 38
9. Saint Leo – 35
10. Rollins – 30
11. Florida Tech – 17
