Sparkill, N.Y. - St. Thomas Aquinas College was chosen to finish fourth in the East Coast Conference, as the 2024 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll was announced by the league.
The Spartans received 52 points, behind Mercy, who was picked first with 76 points and five first-place votes, Daemen, who was selected second with 71 points and three first-place votes and District of Columbia who holds the third spot in the standings with 60 points and one first-place vote. STAC (4th/52 points), Staten Island (5th/43 points), Molloy (6th/30 points), Queens (7th/29 points), D'Youville (8th/27 points) and Roberts Wesleyan (9th/17 points) round out the poll.
STAC went 18-12 overall and 11-5 in the ECC during the 2023-2024 season, and reached the semifinals of the East Coast Conference Tournament, falling to Mercy University.
St. Thomas Aquinas will return six players from the 2023-2024 team; Bailey Chapman (So. - 4.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg & 1.1 apg), Emily Strunk (Sr. - 3.9 ppg & 2.3 rpg), Trinity Cheatom (Jr. - 9.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg & 2.7 apg), Karolina Jaruseviciute (Gr. - 5.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg & 1.0 apg), Delaney Finnegan (So. - 1.2 ppg & 1.3 rpg) and Liliana Kramer (Sr. - 0.2 ppg & 0.5 rpg).
Abby Jacoby (RJr.|G|Littlestown, Pa.|Lock Haven University), Alaila Thomas (Fr.|G|Fort Washington, Md.|Mt. Zion Prep Academy), Rose Cok (Fr.|G|Amsterdam, Netherlands|Winston Salem Christian), Iyana Morel (Fr.|G/F|North Babylon, N.Y.|St. Anthony's), Cassidy Mahaney (So.|G|Frederick, Md.|Fordham University), Katie Pupura (Fr.|G|Richboro, Pa.|Council Rock South) and Syrita Faraj (Sr.|G/F|Troy, N.Y.|College of Saint Rose) are set to make their debuts in maroon and gold, as the seven makeup the team's new recruiting class.
Head Coach Bill Cleary returns for his fourth season at the helm of the Spartans and boasts a very talented and skilled lineup, as the Spartans seek their first ECC Championship and third trip to the NCAA Tournament under his tutelage.
Joining Cleary on the bench for the new season are Assistant Coaches Anastasia Williams, Howard Russell and former STAC Women's Basketball player Sarah Scerbak (2018-22).
St. Thomas Aquinas begins its new season at home in the STAC Basketball Challenge on November 8 and 9. The Spartans will take on the University of Bridgeport (Nov. 8 - 3 p.m.) and American International College (Nov. 9 - 4:00 p.m.). STAC's 26-game schedule features 10 non-conference games and 14 home matchups at Aquinas Hall. The first conference matchup comes on December 8 against Roberts Wesleyan University.
ECC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Mercy - 76 points (5 first-place votes)
(2024 Record – 20-10, 12-4 ECC)
2. Daemen - 71 points (3 first-place votes)
(2024 Record – 23-8, 13-3 ECC)
3. District of Columbia - 60 points (1 first-place vote)
(2024 Record – 20-10, 11-5 ECC)
4. St. Thomas Aquinas - 52 points
(2024 Record – 18-12, 11-5 ECC)
5. Staten Island - 43 points
(2024 Record – 10-18, 7-9 ECC)
6. Molloy - 30 points
(2024 Record – 10-17, 4-12 ECC)
7. Queens - 29 points
(2024 Record – 8-19, 4-12 ECC)
8. D'Youville - 27 points
(2024 Record – 9-18, 7-9 ECC)
9. Roberts Wesleyan - 17 points
(2024 Record – 7-17, 3-13 ECC)
( ) - first-place votes
ECC Women's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year
Jaclyn Stanavich, Mercy (Sr., F, Amsterdam, NY)