Hofstra WBB picked 3rd in CAA poll
Hofstra forward Shante Evans drives past Delaware guard Kelsey Buchanane. (Feb. 16, 2012) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Delaware women proved to be quite a handful last season and should be again this year with All-American Elena Delle Donne and four other starters returning from a squad that finished 31-2. The Blue Hens were picked first in the CAA preseason poll, the league announced Tuesday.
Hofstra should be up to the challenge this season. The Pride, which returns AP All-American honorable mention forward Shante Evans, was picked third in the poll. The Pride, coming off a 19-12 season and WNIT appearance, will be without the services of Kate Loper, who transferred, but returns Candace Bond and Andreana Thomas.
Other key role players back include Deven Green, Anma Onyeuku and Annie Payton.
Freshmen Asia Jackson, Ruth Sherrill, Sydni Epps and Dee Thomas-Palmer figure to make an impact, too.
CAA PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Delaware
2. James Madison
3. Hofstra
4. Drexel
5. Old Dominion
6. Northeastern
7. George Mason, UNCW (tie)
9. Towson, William & Mary (tie)
11. Georgia State
CAA PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
First Team
Elena Delle Donne, Delaware
Shante Evans, Hofstra
Tarik Hislop, James Madison
Deanna Kerkhof, Northeastern
Hollie Merhson, Drexel
