Sixth-year Head Coach Mike Drahos' Pitt-Johnstown women's basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division when the 2018-19 Preseason Coaches' Poll was released on Thursday.

Kutztown and Edinboro have been tabbed the favorites in the Eastern and Western Division, respectively.

Pitt-Johnstown returns four starters and 10 letter-winners, including junior forward Gabrielle Smith, the team's leading scorer (14.5 ppg.) and second-leading rebounder (6.8 rpg.).  of the 13 players on the roster, eight are upper classmen, led by senior guards Tori Moreland and Laurel O'Barto.  Coach Drahos also added three newcomers, including Alli McGrath, a 5'10" forward who transferred from Division I University of Baltimore County.

WESTERN DIVISION
Edinboro claimed five of the nine possible first-place votes after winning its fifth PSAC Championship last season. The Fighting Scots return four starters, including West Athlete and Defensive Athlete of the Year Ciara Rosten. Rosten became the first athlete to win both major awards in the same season. She averaged 15.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Joining Rosten in the starting five is graduate student Jontay Walton, senior Michelle Jahn and junior Michaela Barnes. Walton paced the team in scoring (16.5), assists (4.3) and steals (73). EU paced the PSAC in three-point percentage, rebounding margin and rebounds. The Fighting Scots will be under the direction of first-year coach Callie Wheeler. Wheeler replaces Stan Swank. Swank retired after 31 seasons at EU and is the all-time winningest coach in PSAC basketball history. 
 
IUP swiped the remaining four first-place votes while being tabbed second. The Crimson Hawks advanced to the NCAA DII Semifinals before falling to Ashland. IUP returns a trio of starters, all which are seniors. Carolyn Appleby averaged 15.4 points per game while amassing over 100 assists last season. IUP led the PSAC in all major defensive statistics while pacing the league in shooting percentage on the offensive side. Lauren Wolosik seeks to become the first IUP player with 1000 points and 400 assists in a career. 
 
California was slated third and returns three starters. The Vulcans have made the NCAA Tournament 15 times in the last 17 years. Cal paced the PSAC in steals per game (13.4) and return senior Seairra Barrett, who missed last season due to injury. Barrett averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds during the 2016-17 campaign. Cal's defense held opponents to 59.3 points per game, which marked second best in the PSAC.
 
Slippery Rock was tabbed fourth and returns all five starters. The Rock will be paced by senior Ciara Patterson and junior Brooke Hinderliter. Patterson averaged 15.8 points while Hinderliter accumulated 14.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. 
 
Gannon was picked fifth and returns a trio of starters. The Lady Knights paced the PSAC in free-throw percentage (79.0) and will lean on senior Nicole LaCava. LaCava averaged 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds. 
 
Seton Hill was selected sixth and return West Freshman of the Year Cheyenne Trest. Trest pestered defenses after averaging 14 points per game and accumulated 88 assists on the season. 
 
Mercyhurst claimed the seventh slot and returns all five starters. The Lakers boast 13 guards and ranked third in the PSAC in three-point percentage (34.6).
 
Pitt-Johnstown and Clarion rounded out the poll, respectively. 
 
The 2018-19 regular season commences Friday, November 9th. PSAC play begins Saturday, December 1.