AUSTINTOWN – The Wilmington College women's basketball team was picked seventh in the Ohio Athletic Conference preseason poll, the league announced today.

Capital earned six first-place votes and 77 points total, followed by Ohio Northern (71), which netted two first-place votes. Baldwin Wallace (64) and John Carroll (56) each earned a first-place vote. Marietta (44) was picked fifth, followed by Mount Union (47), Wilmington (37), Heidelberg (24), Otterbein (17) and Muskingum (13).

"Where we are picked and where we finish are two different things," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "All this means is the coaches don't think we are very good, and that will be motivation for our players."

Scheve added that his Quakers have finished higher than projected in the preseason poll in all but one season, the year they were picked – and finished – first.

Wilmington must replace four seniors, including point guard Haley Howard. The senior was the first player in school history to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists.

Sophomore Brittaney Jefferson (Dayton, OH/Chaminade-Julienne) is the team's top returning scorer, averaging 8.3 points per game. She was sixth in the OAC with 51 steals. Sophomore Hannah Haeseker (Germantown, OH/Valley View) is the top returning rebounder with 4.8 rebounds, and her 27 three-pointers are second on the team.

Seniors Courtney Tucker (Cincinnati, OH/Sycamore) and Spencer Robles (Clyde, OH/Clyde) also return for their final seasons.

Wilmington kicks off the 2014-15 season, hosting the Damon's/Hampton Inn Tip-Off Tournament.