Moon Township, Pa.-The Robert Morris
University women's basketball team was selected second in the 2011-12 Northeast
Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the league Thursday.
This is the second straight season the Colonials were
picked second in the preseason poll and the seventh consecutive season RMU has
been selected among the top-four teams in the league. Robert Morris received two
first-place votes.
Two-time defending champion Saint Francis (Pa.) received four
first-place votes to earn the top spot in the poll. Long Island follows RMU at
third in the poll while Sacred Heart and Monmouth tied for fourth, each
receiving two first-place votes. Quinnipiac was sixth followed by Fairleigh
Dickinson, Bryant, Central Connecticut State, Wagner, Mount St. Mary's and St.
Francis (N.Y.).
Sophomore forward Artemis Spanou (Rhodes, Greece / Sixth
Senior High School of Nea Smyrni (Greek National U20 Team)) was the only
underclassman named to the Preseason All-NEC Team. The 2011 NEC Rookie of the
Year, Spanou averaged a double-double in league games with 13.7 points and 10.6
rebounds per contest as a freshman. She also earned spots on the NEC
All-Conference Second Team and the NEC All-Rookie team last season.
The Colonials return two starters and six letterwinners
from a team that went 16-14 overall and 12-6 in Northeast Conference play in
2010-11. RMU advanced to the NEC Tournament semifinals after finishing in a tie
for third in the conference standings.
Senior forward Mary Durojaye (London, England / Barking
Abbey (English National U20 Team)) is the only other returning forward besides
Spanou. As a junior, Durojaye became the 16th player in team history
to collect 500 career rebounds while averaging 7.9 boards for the season. She
added 10.1 points a game and finished third in the NEC shooting 52.0 percent
(118-227) from the floor.
Juniors Jasmine Tate (Columbus, Ohio / Harvest Prep) and Anna Gailite (Riga, Latvia / Riga Secondary School No. 47 (Latvian National U20
Team)) and sophomores Britta Emberg (Cowansville, Pa. / Kittaning) and Kelly Hartwell (Woodbridge, Va. / Gar-Field) also return to the squad.
A talented class of newcomers features four junior college
transfers along with two true freshmen. Josette Campbell (London, England /
Notre Dame Prep (Norwest Florida State College)), Rocio Medrano (Chihuahua,
Mexico / Greenville (Eastern Oklahoma State)), Briannica Tye (Aurora, Ill. /
West Aurora (Mineral Area College)) and April Williams (Bronx, N.Y. / Murry
Bergtraum (Monroe College)) will all have two years as Colonials. French-native
Romane Dessacs (Péchabou, France / Bellevue) and Catherine Matthews
(Barrington, R.I. / Barrington) are the true freshman on this year's squad.
Robert Morris is led by ninth-year head coach Sal Buscaglia, a two-time winner of the NEC's Brenda Reilly Coach of the Year
award. In 33 seasons as a head coach, Buscaglia has won 629 career games, and
has built the Colonials program into a conference power.
The 2011-12 season tips-off Saturday, Nov. 12, when RMU
hosts Coppin State in a 7:00 p.m. game at the Charles L. Sewall Center.
2011-12 Northeast Conference Women's Basketball
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Saint Francis
(Pa.) (4)
2. Robert
Morris (2)
3. Long
Island (2)
4. Monmouth
(2)
Sacred
Heart (2)
6. Quinnipiac
7. Fairleigh
Dickinson
8. Bryant
9. Central
Connecticut State
10. Wagner
11. Mount
St. Mary's
12. St.
Francis (N.Y.)
First-place votes in parentheses.
