ROCK HILL, S.C. – With the start of the 2017-18 basketball season less than one day away, Anderson University women's basketball has been projected to finish third in the 2018-19 South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll, while juniors Alexy Mollenhauer (second team) and Madison Baggett (second team) were named to the preseason teams, announced by the league office on Wednesday.

Last season, the Trojans finished third after regular season play with a 13-7 conference record. Despite falling to Wingate in the SAC semifinal round, Anderson was chosen as a No. 8 seed making it the 12^th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Defending regular season champion Carson-Newman was picked to take the conference crown with 110 points while Wingate was selected to finish second with 99 points. The Black and Gold earned 88 points landing in the third slot just in front of Tusculum with 79 points in fourth. Lincoln Memorial landed in the fifth spot while Newberry claimed the sixth slot. The Bears from Lenoir-Rhyne slid into the seventh position while Catawba sits in the eighth spot. Coker, Queens and Mars Hill rounded out the annual poll.

Last post-season, Mollenhauer earned All-SAC Honorable Mention after averaging 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. The native of Lindale, Texas scored in double-figures on 17 occasions while clipping the 20-point mark three times. Mollenhauer made 46 3-points baskets while shooting and impressive 41.1% from behind the arc.

Baggett was instrumental for the Black and Gold's success during the 2017-18 campaign. Baggett started 30-of-31 contests while averaging 8.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game from the point guard position.

The native from Huntsville, Ala. pulled down a career high 13 rebounds vs Clayton State while scoring 20 points in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Baggett also played eight 40 minute contests for the Trojans.

Anderson will get its 2018-19 season underway on Nov. 1 when it travels to North Carolina State for an exhibition game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES' POLL

WOMEN'S PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE

2018-19 South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference

First Team

Haris Price, Carson-Newman
Mika Wester, Carson-Newman
Meg Essex, Newberry
Caroline Averette, Wingate
Danasia Witherspoon, Wingate
Shelby Britten, Newberry

Second Team

Kayla Marosites, Carson-Newman
Madi Suddreth, Lenoir-Rhyne
Madison Baggett, Anderson 
Alexy Mollenhauer, Anderson
Lade Adepoju, Queens
Briana Smith, Carson-Newman