BALTIMORE – Notre Dame of Maryland University, which is coming off a record-breaking season within the Colonial States Athletic Conference, was selected as preseason favorites in the 2022-23 CSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll released on Wednesday.

The Gators went 13-5 against CSAC opponents during the regular season last winter, matching their highest win total since joining the conference in 2007 and ultimately advancing to the CSAC semifinals for the first time in program history. They received 84 points and 4 of 10 first-place votes while topping this year's preseason coaches' poll. Bryn Athyn follows with 80 points and three first-place votes, while Wilson and Keystone round out the top four.

Graduate student forward Daija Fitchett (CSAC Defensive Player of the Year) and sophomore guard Alexis Durham (co-CSAC Rookie of the Year) return for Notre Dame in 2022-23 after both earned major CSAC accolades last season. Fitchett averaged 14.7 points per game and led the team in rebounds (13.8 rpg) and blocks (52), while Durham led NDMU in points (14.8) and assists (5.9) per game. Senior forward Ayana Brim (13.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg), the 2019-20 CSAC Rookie of the Year and an honorable mention All-CSAC selection last season, is also back, as are returning starters Amya Durham (6.9 ppg, 3.0 apg) and Bethani Newbold (5.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg).

Kalin Wynn, who was voted as the CSAC Coach of the Year in 2021-22, enters his third season as head coach for the Gators. NDMU has gone 31-19 (26-10 CSAC) during his first two years leading the basketball program.

The Gators begin the 2022-23 season on Tuesday, Nov. 8 with a 7 p.m. matchup against Washington College at MBK Sports Complex. CSAC play begins two weeks later against Rosemont College on Nov. 22. View the full schedule here.


2022-23 CSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Notre Dame of Maryland - 84 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Bryn Athyn - 80 points (3)
3. Wilson - 64 points
4. Keystone - 63 points (1)
5. Clarks Summit - 57 points (1)
6. Cedar Crest - 50 points
7. Cairn - 49 points
8. Saint Elizabeth - 45 points (1)
9. Rosemont - 30 points
10. Valley Forge - 28 points