Women's Basketball Picked Fifth in the HCAC Preseason Poll

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Defiance College women's basketball team was picked fifth in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll released on Tuesday, October 25. The Lady Jackets received 50 points in the poll and had three players named to the HCAC Players-to-Watch List. [HCAC Release]

Last season, Defiance finished fifth in the conference with a 10-8 HCAC mark and a 12-14 overall record. The three players honored with Player-to-Watch status were senior guard Brooke Zachrich, junior center Kim Comden and sophomore guard Erica King.

Zachrich returns for her final season at Defiance after earning Academic All-HCAC accolades in 2010-11. The 5-7 senior started 25 games for the Lady Jackets and scored 5.8 points per game. She completed 44 field goals at a .404 clip from the floor, and grabbed 89 rebounds, including 42 on the offensive glass. Zachrich also led the team with 56 free throws on 73 attempts. 

Comden enters her third season after posting career-best numbers as a sophomore. A 6-0 center, Comden was named Academic All-HCAC and Hampton Inn & Suites/Damon's Grill Tip-off All-Tournament Team. She started all 26 games in 2010-11 and averaged 17.6 minutes, 7.3 points and a team-best 5.3 rebounds per night. 

King, the reigning HCAC Freshman of the Year, returns after leading the Yellow Jackets in scoring a season ago. A DIII News All-Freshman Team selection, King posted 10.8 points per night during her rookie season. She averaged 3.9 boards per contest and shot at a .407 mark from the floor. King connected on 48 three-pointers and dished out 41 assists last season.

Franklin received the most points in the poll with 96 points and six first-place votes. Hanover (82), Transylvania (82), Manchester (77) and Defiance (50) completed the top five. 

The Jackets, under the direction of interim head coach Craig McCord, will start the season at home on Tuesday, November 15 against Olivet. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.