TOWSON, Md. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team was selected third overall in the Landmark Conference preseason poll released Wednesday and voted on by the coaches in the conference.

The Greyhounds return 12 players as well as all five starters from last year's 15-12 team that reached the ECAC Division III South Semifinal game. The Hounds received 52 overall points, which places them 15 points behind the University of Scranton and 20 behind The Catholic University of America. The Blue and Grey also received votes in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25 poll.

"The only ranking that matters is at the end of the season, so if we are in one of the top four spots once playoff time comes, it means we have a shot at a championship," stated Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk, who is entering her 29th season leading the Greyhounds. "Being ranked in the third spot is exciting for us, but we also realize that our conference is one of the best in the country. Catholic and Scranton are ranked in the top 25 in a few different polls nationally, so we are going to have to play at a high level to compete with them. 

"Our entire conference is solid from top to bottom," continued Spirk. "We are hoping our tough out of conference schedule prepares us for conference play. It is one of the toughest schedules we have had here at Moravian. The rankings in our conference and nationally are a credit to our hard working players and coaches. We hope we can compete hard all year and achieve those rankings, and perhaps higher, come playoff time."

Moravian is set to kick off its 2015-16 season with a non-conference match with rival Muhlenberg College on Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Johnston Hall on the campus of Moravian College.

2015 Landmark Women's Basketball Preseason Poll