The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced its 2023-24 Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Preseason All-MAAC honors on Tuesday and not much is expected of the teams from New Jersey.
Rider was selected to finish 10th while Saint Peter's rounded out the poll, last in the 11-team league.
The Broncs finished in a tie for ninth place last season before falling in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals. This season, Rider will be led by senior guard Makayla Firebaugh. Firebaugh was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Second-Team and will be looked to make key contributions for Rider if they are to surprise anyone this season.
Last season, Firebaugh started all 31 games and averaged 14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. She ranked third in the MAAC in three-points made (64), 11th in free-throw percentage (75.8%), and 22nd in rebounding as a junior.
Saint Peter's is looking to take strides after going winless in 30 games last season. Second year head coach Jennifer Leedham returns her top three scorers from a year ago in sophomore Jada Leonard, senior Rachel Kuhl, and junior Jada Williams. All three players played 24+ minutes per game last season and will surely be counted on once again. The Peacocks will hope to add in more depth this season as well.
Rider opens their season November 1 at home against The College of New Jersey. Saint Peter's will open up on the road at UMass on November 6. Jersey Sporting News will provide coverage of college basketball all season long.
Below is the full MAAC poll and preseason honors list:
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2023-24 Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
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||
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1
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Niagara
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116 (7)
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2
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Siena
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112 (3)
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3
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Fairfield
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87 (1)
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4
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Marist
|
86
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5
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Quinnipiac
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81
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6
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Manhattan
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65
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7
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Iona
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49
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8
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Mount St. Mary’s
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47
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9
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Canisius
|
34
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|
10
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Rider
|
33
|
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11
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Saint Peter’s
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16
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Preseason Player of the Year
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Aaliyah Parker – Niagara
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Preseason All-MAAC First Team
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Player
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Position
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Year
|
Institution
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Janelle Brown
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Guard
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Sr.
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Fairfield
|
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Kiara Fisher
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Guard
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Sr.
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Marist
|
|
Zaria Shazer
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Forward
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Sr.
|
Marist
|
|
Aaliyah Parker*
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Guard
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Jr.
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Niagara
|
|
Angel Parker*
|
Guard
|
Gr.
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Niagara
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|
Preseason All-MAAC Second Team
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|||
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Player
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Position
|
Year
|
Institution
|
|
Petra Juric
|
Forward
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Jr.
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Manhattan
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|
Jackie Grisdale
|
Guard
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Jr.
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Quinnipiac
|
|
Makayla Firebaugh
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Guard
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Sr.
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Rider
|
|
Anajah Brown
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Forward
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Jr.
|
Siena
|
|
Elisa Mevius
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Guard
|
So.
|
Siena
|
|
Preseason All-MAAC Third Team
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|||
|
Player
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Position
|
Year
|
Institution
|
|
Sisi Eleko
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Forward
|
So.
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Canisius
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|
Izabela Nicoletti Leite
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Guard
|
R-Sr.
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Fairfield
|
|
Jessica Tomasetti
|
Guard
|
Sr.
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Mount St. Mary’s
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|
Ahniysha Jackson
|
Guard
|
Sr.
|
Siena
|
|
Teresa Seppala
|
Guard
|
So.
|
Siena
|
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