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Biola Seventh In PacWest Poll

Biola Women’s Basketball was ranked seventh in the preseason poll ahead of their first championship eligible season.

October 29, 2019

By: Brandon Taylor, Assistant Sports Information Director
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Women's Basketball was ranked seventh in the PacWest Preseason Poll released by the Conference Office on Tuesday. 

The Eagles received 79 points to place them in the clear upper-half of the poll. Biola was 17 points ahead of eighth-ranked Academy of Art and just three points behind Concordia for sixth. Biola defeated Concordia on the road a year ago and finished in sixth place on the conference table, a mark that would have made Head Coach Alan Nakamura's team eligible for the PacWest Tournament had the Eagles been eligible. 

But the six-team championship will top the list of Biola's goals for the 2019-20 season now that the University is a full NCAA member and able to qualify for championships. 

Azusa Pacific was chosen as the preseason favorite after the Cougars were the West Region representative at the Elite 8 last year. APU returns two Preseason All-PacWest selections in Daylee and Savanna Hanson, with Savanna Hanson picking up Preseason Player of the Year honors. 

Hawaii Pacific and Point Loma followed the Cougars and No. 2 and No. 3 on the poll, respectively. And the Sharks also had two student-athletes on the Preseason All-PacWest list: sophomore Amy Baum and junior Ashley Marcucci. 

"We are going to have an uphill battle as PacWest Women's Basketball is looking stronger than ever," said Head Coach Alan Nakamura. "Every team has good reason to be optimistic, and every game is going to be a big challenge."

Biola Women's Basketball returns nine women to the roster for 2019-20, three of which started at least 24 of the Eagles' 28 games. The coaching staff will have a nice mix and depth at the point guard position with Tatum Brimley, Aysia Johnson and  Jelissa Puckett. Newcomer Stephanie Lee will likely mix in with the other off-guards on the roster to provide the much-needed scoring boost after the graduation of Brenna Khaw.

The Eagles are also strong at the stretch-forward and post in the starting five with All-PacWest recipient Jazz Benn and constant double-double threat Mikayla Greens.  Danita Estorga is a breakout candidate in her second full year of competition and a long list of underclassmen forward on the roster will always give Biola the height and rebounding presence it needs. 

"This team has a great "Together" mind-set heading into the 2019-20 season," said Coach Nakamura. "The players and staff have given an outstanding effort in preparation for the season. Every player has welcomed hard work and has shown a Team-First attitude. We are really blessed to have a roster full of intelligent, talented, and unselfish young women."

The 2019-20 season kicks off on Tuesday with an exhibition at Pepperdine. Following another exhibition at Cal State Fullerton, Biola plays its first countable games at the PacWest-CCAA Crossover beginning November 8 and then starts PacWest play a month later when the Eagles travel to Belmont on December 5 to play Notre Dame de Namur. 

Boty Cornerstone Cup matchups against Azusa Pacific take place in a two-week stretch in the new year. Biola heads to the Felix Event Center on January 18 and the Cougars come to Chase Gym for a 5:30 p.m. game on February 1. 
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