Trojan women’s basketball selected fourth in preseason poll

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive women’s basketball program was tabbed fourth in the preseason Conference Carolinas poll, which was announced by the league office Nov. 2.

The Trojans concluded last season with a 17-5 overall record behind a 15-4 mark in league play while earning the No. 2 seed and making a trip to the Conference Carolinas semifinals. Mount Olive will feature a new starting five this season with the graduation of four seniors and the return of only one starter. Wendy Lee enters her 23rd year as head coach of the women’s basketball team and has tallied more than 330 wins in her career, including three straight years with at least 17 victories (excluding the shortened 2020-21 season).

UNC Pembroke was chosen as the preseason favorite in the conference by a slight margin with three first place votes after returning to the league for the first time since 1992. The Braves return the reigning Freshman of the Year after posting a 19-10 record with a 17-7 mark in conference action. Defending regular season and tournament champions Barton were picked second in the rankings with five first place votes, while tournament runner-up Francis Marion was slotted third with four first place votes. Chowan rounded out the top five in the preseason rankings.

The Conference Carolinas quarterfinals are set for Friday, March 3, at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium with the semifinals and championship to take place on March 4 and 5.

The Trojans begin the 2022-23 season by facing Tusculum and Catawba in the Conference Challenge hosted in Salisbury Nov. 11-12.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics