BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Patriot League announced the results of its preseason polling on Thursday and the Navy women's basketball was represented with Jennifer Coleman on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team and the program ranked sixth overall in the standings.

A member of the All-Patriot League Second Team as a junior in 2020-21, Coleman earned her spot on this year's five-person preseason all-league team after elevating her game to amongst the best in the conference. Competing in nine of Navy's 12 contests last season, the Richmond, Va. native averaged a double-double with 17.1 points and 11.3 rebounds over 36.9 minutes per game. Additionally, she recorded 4.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Coleman was top-four in all five of those categories amongst Patriot League players, ranking second in rebounds, assists and minutes, while standing third in scoring and fourth in steals. A regular threat for a double-double, Coleman tallied 10 or more points alongside 10 or more rebounds seven different times as junior. Earlier in her career as a freshman, she was named to the All-Patriot League Third Team in 2018-19. Through 53 career games, she has scored 679 points and grabbed 393 rebounds for averages of 12.8 and 7.4 respectively.

Coleman was joined on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team by American's Jade Edwards (17.4 ppg/7.4 rpg), Bucknell's Taylor O'Brien (16.3 ppg/6.1 rpg), Holy Cross' Avery LaBarbera (13.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.4 apg) and Lehigh's Frannie Hottinger (14.2 ppg/6.6 rpg). Edwards was selected as the 2021-22 Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year.

Changing gears to the preseason poll, the defending Patriot League champions, the Lehigh Mountain Hawks were selected to top the league again in 2021-22. Consisting of votes from the 10 league coaches and each school's respective sports information contacts, the Mountain Hawks garnered 12 first-place votes and 152 voting points. Boston University received three first-place votes and 141 points to rank second overall, while Bucknell garnered four first-place votes and 132 points to stand third in the poll. American was the final program to earn a first-place vote as the Eagles got one first-place tally and 120 polling points. Holy Cross, Navy and Army make a tightly-packed middle of the poll with 93, 84 and 72 respective points. 

The bottom of the poll recognizes Lafayette (51), Loyola (28) and Colgate (27) in positions eight through 10.

The Mids open their 2021-22 season at home on Nov. 9 versus Georgetown as part of a seven-game home non-conference schedule. Patriot League play kicks off right before the calendar flips to 2022 as Navy will host Holy Cross on Dec. 29 in Annapolis. Single-game and season tickets are available through the Navy Ticket Office at either 1-800-US4-NAVY or by clicking this TICKETS link.

2021-22 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Lehigh – 152 (12 first-place votes)
Boston University – 141 (3)
Bucknell – 132 (4)
American – 120 (1)
Holy Cross – 93
Navy – 84
Army – 72
Lafayette – 51
Loyola Maryland – 28
Colgate – 27

Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason All-League Team
Preseason Player of the Year: Jade Edwards, American (17.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG)
Taylor O'Brien, Bucknell (16.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG)
Avery LaBarbera, Holy Cross (13.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.4 APG)
Frannie Hottinger, Lehigh (14.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG)
Jennifer Coleman, Navy (17.1 PPG, 11.3 RPG)