ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT women's basketball team was selected to finish first in the 2016-17 Liberty League Women's Basketball pre-season coaches poll released on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The Tigers, who advanced to their first Liberty League Championship game a year ago, received 60 points, including five first place votes.

"This is a great honor, and another big step for our program" said RIT head coach Amy Rees. "Our team is excited but humble, knowing full-well we need to work that much harder now."

Skidmore was selected to finish second with 48 points, while defending Liberty League Champion, Clarkson was selected third with 42 points. Skidmore received three first place votes, and Clarkson one. St. Lawrence and Union are tied for fourth with 41 points apiece.

RIT returns four starters (Jessica Glaz (Rockaway Beach, NY/Scholars Academy), Julia Bender (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas), Tara Lynch (Green Township, NJ/Newton), Amanda Olsen (Glen Mills, PA/Archmere Academy)) from last year's team that won a program-record 20 games. Glaz, a 2015-16 All-Liberty League first team selection, led the Tigers in scoring, and set the single-season school record with 444 last season. Lynch, the 2015-16 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, was second in scoring and led the league in shooting percentage (50.7%).

The Tigers open the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 15 when they face SUNY Brockport at 6 p.m. RIT travels to the West Coast to play a pair of games at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. The Tigers face Occidental on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Whitter College on Sunday at 3 p.m.


2016-17 Liberty League Coaches Poll:
1) RIT, 60 (5)
2) Skidmore, 48 (3)
3) Clarkson, 42 (1)
4) St. Lawrence, 41
4) Union, 41
6) William Smith, 39
7) Vassar, 27
8) RPI, 18
9) Bard, 8