NJAC Preseason Poll

PITMAN, N.J. – The TCNJ women's basketball team is set to be a major contender for the NJAC championship, according to the preseason coaches' poll released Monday morning by the league office.
 
The Lions were slotted second in the poll and garnered three first-place votes, second only to New Jersey City's four. Rowan (third place) received two first-place ballots and Ramapo (fourth) netted one of its own, while Montclair State and Kean rounded out the projected playoff field in fifth and sixth, respectively. William Paterson was picked seventh, followed by dark horse Stockton in eighth, Rutgers-Camden in ninth, and Rutgers-Newark in tenth.
 
TCNJ is well stocked with talent and experience heading into the new campaign and will carry plenty of motivation to boot following last year's heartbreaking overtime loss to NJCU in the NJAC semifinals.
 
Standout guard Julia Setaro, a three-time All-NJAC second team selection, is back for a fifth year after leading TCNJ and ranked ninth in the league in scoring at 13.6 points per game. The sharp-shooter ranked inside the top-5 nationally in free-throw percentage (90.8) and was fourth in the NJAC with 59 made 3-pointers, only failing to reach double figures in four games.
 
Setaro will again be joined by backcourt mate Nina Branchizio, who received All-NJAC honorable mention after placing second on the team in scoring (10.6 PPG), assists (56), and steals (31) in her sophomore campaign. She ranked third in the NJAC with 67 triples on the year.

Senior Izzy Leazier was an all-around force a year ago, leading the team in rebounding (5.6 RPG) and assists (2.7 APG) to go with 10.2 points per game. Classmate Kaitlyn Deiter also showed off her versatile skill-set with an average of 5.2 rebounds per game and 52 assists from her spot in the post. She averaged 6.2 points per game and shot 44.5 percent from the field.

The Lions are also hoping for significant contributions from grad transfer Natalie Kolb, who started 50 games over the last two seasons at Franklin & Marshall, and a rookie class headlined by guard Grace Kowalski, who scored a team-high 16 points in a close exhibition loss at Division I Rider.

"With a talented, experienced group of returners and a strong cohort of newcomers, we have high expectations for the 23-24 season," head coach Chessie Jackson said. "We have a challenging non-conference schedule to prepare us for the always competitive NJAC, and we are excited for the opportunity to play two top-25 teams. Our squad has worked incredibly hard in the off-season, and our experience playing deep into the NJAC playoffs the last six years have prepared us for this moment. It should be an exciting season ahead!"

The Lions open the season Friday against Salisbury in the opener of the Messiah Tip-Off Tournament, with the consolation and championship games set for Saturday.