Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Slagus and Walker Named Preseason All-PL; Bison Voted Preseason Favorites
10/18/2018 11:36:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Bucknell Has Been Picked First in the Preseason Poll Three Straight Years
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell had two players voted to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team and was picked to finish first in the Preseason Women's Basketball Poll, which was released by the conference office on Thursday. Senior Kaitlyn Slagus was named Preseason All-Patriot League for the second straight year, while senior Kate Walker earned the honor for the first time.
Bucknell received 14 of a possible 18 first-place votes and finished with a final tally of 154 as it was picked as the preseason favorite for a third consecutive season. The Bison return four starters and all three of their All-Patriot League players from a team that went 22-10 overall and 15-3 in the conference last season before qualifying for the WNIT. It was their third straight year playing in a national postseason tournament. The Bison are an incredible 48-6 in league play over the past three seasons.
Defending league champion American was second in the preseason poll, receiving two first-place votes and a total score of 137. Loyola took the other four first-place votes and had a total of 129 while coming in at third. Rounding out the 10-team poll were Lehigh (91), Navy (91), Holy Cross (81), Army West Point (75), Lafayette (63), Boston University (56), and Colgate (23).
Slagus has earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors in each of the past two seasons. She has a chance to become the first player in program history to total at least 1,000 points and 1,000 career rebounds as she already ranks 20th in school history with 1,046 points and is 11th with 703 boards. She has averaged double-digit rebounds in each of the past two seasons.
A 6-2 post player, Slagus's success goes well beyond just scoring points in the paint. She sits just outside the top 10 in program history with 93 3-pointers, shoots 79 percent (217-274) from the line, and has added 99 blocks, 70 steals, and 122 assists during her career.
Walker had a breakout season as a junior, earning First Team All-Patriot League recognition. She finished second in the conference in free throw percentage (.825, 113-137) and was also in the top 15 in the league in scoring (12.8 ppg), 3-pointers (39), assists (2.1 apg), and minutes played (31.1/game).
Walker played a huge part in Bucknell's 12-game winning streak during league play last season, averaging 14.4 ppg during that stretch. She helped get the streak started by averaging 19.5 ppg in the first six wins over Holy Cross, Navy, Boston University, Lafayette, Lehigh, and Colgate.
A 6-0 guard, Walker has become one of the top 3-point shooters in the league, shooting 39 percent (88-227) over the past two seasons. She ranks ninth in school history with 96 career 3-pointers.
Joining Slagus and Walker on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team were junior forward Lauren Manis (Holy Cross), senior forward Cecily Carl (American), and junior guard Stephanie Karcz (Loyola). Manis was voted the Preseason Player of the Year.
Bucknell opens the season at Monmouth on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The Bison's home opener will be against perennial mid-major power Quinnipiac on Sunday, Nov. 11.
Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Bucknell – 154 (14 first-place votes)
American – 137 (2 first-place votes)
Loyola Maryland – 129 (4 first-place votes)
Lehigh – 91
Navy – 91
Holy Cross – 81
Army West Point – 75
Lafayette – 63
Boston University – 56
Colgate – 23
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Bucknell received 14 of a possible 18 first-place votes and finished with a final tally of 154 as it was picked as the preseason favorite for a third consecutive season. The Bison return four starters and all three of their All-Patriot League players from a team that went 22-10 overall and 15-3 in the conference last season before qualifying for the WNIT. It was their third straight year playing in a national postseason tournament. The Bison are an incredible 48-6 in league play over the past three seasons.
Defending league champion American was second in the preseason poll, receiving two first-place votes and a total score of 137. Loyola took the other four first-place votes and had a total of 129 while coming in at third. Rounding out the 10-team poll were Lehigh (91), Navy (91), Holy Cross (81), Army West Point (75), Lafayette (63), Boston University (56), and Colgate (23).
Slagus has earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors in each of the past two seasons. She has a chance to become the first player in program history to total at least 1,000 points and 1,000 career rebounds as she already ranks 20th in school history with 1,046 points and is 11th with 703 boards. She has averaged double-digit rebounds in each of the past two seasons.
A 6-2 post player, Slagus's success goes well beyond just scoring points in the paint. She sits just outside the top 10 in program history with 93 3-pointers, shoots 79 percent (217-274) from the line, and has added 99 blocks, 70 steals, and 122 assists during her career.
Walker had a breakout season as a junior, earning First Team All-Patriot League recognition. She finished second in the conference in free throw percentage (.825, 113-137) and was also in the top 15 in the league in scoring (12.8 ppg), 3-pointers (39), assists (2.1 apg), and minutes played (31.1/game).
Walker played a huge part in Bucknell's 12-game winning streak during league play last season, averaging 14.4 ppg during that stretch. She helped get the streak started by averaging 19.5 ppg in the first six wins over Holy Cross, Navy, Boston University, Lafayette, Lehigh, and Colgate.
A 6-0 guard, Walker has become one of the top 3-point shooters in the league, shooting 39 percent (88-227) over the past two seasons. She ranks ninth in school history with 96 career 3-pointers.
Joining Slagus and Walker on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team were junior forward Lauren Manis (Holy Cross), senior forward Cecily Carl (American), and junior guard Stephanie Karcz (Loyola). Manis was voted the Preseason Player of the Year.
Bucknell opens the season at Monmouth on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The Bison's home opener will be against perennial mid-major power Quinnipiac on Sunday, Nov. 11.
Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Bucknell – 154 (14 first-place votes)
American – 137 (2 first-place votes)
Loyola Maryland – 129 (4 first-place votes)
Lehigh – 91
Navy – 91
Holy Cross – 81
Army West Point – 75
Lafayette – 63
Boston University – 56
Colgate – 23
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Players Mentioned
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