NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference released its 2022-23 Preseason Coaches' Poll on Monday and Old Dominion women's basketball has been picked to finish second, as voted on by the league's 14 head coaches. Additionally, senior forward Amari Young was selected to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team.
ODU received one first-place vote and 166 points in the poll. Troy was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 12 first-place votes and 194 points, and Louisiana garnered 161 points to come in at third. Troy's Felmas Koranga was named the Preseason Player of the Year.
A native of North Augusta, South Carolina, Young averaged 9.1 points with 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steal last year. She started all 34 games in the 2021-22 season and scored in double figures in 19 games, to include a season-high 17 points against North Texas in the Conference USA Tournament. Young was second on the team in field goals made (134), field goal percentage (.530), total rebounds (196) and blocks (24). She was also third on the team in minutes played (900) and scoring (309 points) and was tied for third in steals (54). Her effort on the court helped the Monarchs to a 24-10 season that saw ODU advance to the second round of the WNIT and earn wins over Power 5 opponents Auburn and Texas Tech.
ODU brings back six players from last year's squad and adds eight newcomers to the team this year. The Monarchs open their season on Nov. 7 at Florida Gulf Coast, followed by a Nov. 10 game at Texas Southern. The team then returns to Norfolk for its home opener against William & Mary on Nov. 15.
Season Tickets Available Now
Men's and women's basketball season tickets for the upcoming 2022-23 season are available now at ynottix.com.
Men's basketball season tickets cost $215 and include tickets for the Monarchs' exhibition on Nov. 2 and all 16 of ODU's regular season home games. Women's basketball season tickets cost $115 for adults and $250 for courtside seating and include tickets to all 15 of the Monarchs' home games. Special pricing is available for senior citizens, ODU faculty and staff, and members of the military. Call the ODU Ticket Office at 757-683-4444 to receive special pricing.
Season tickets represent a savings of more than $50 for men's games and $45 for women's games, over single-game tickets. Single-game tickets for regular season men's and women's basketball games will go on sale later in the month. Single-game ticket prices start at $18 for men's games and $11 for women's games, with special pricing for senior citizens, ODU faculty and staff, youth (12 and younger) and members of the military. ODU students can register for student tickets for free to any ODU men's and women's home game.
Sun Belt Women's Basketball Preseason Poll (first place votes)
1. Troy (12) - 194
2. Old Dominion (1) - 166
3. Louisiana - 161
4. Southern Miss - 137
5. Texas State - 135
6. James Madison - 130
7. Georgia Southern (1) - 108
8. App State - 102
9. Arkansas State - 96
10. Marshall - 91
11. Georgia State - 50
12. Coastal Carolina - 45
13. South Alabama - 38
14. ULM - 17
Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year
Felmas Koranga, Troy, Sr., F
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
Felmas Koranga, Troy, Sr., F
Da'Nasia Hood, Texas State, Gr., F
Domonique Davis, Southern Miss, Jr., G
Terren Ward, Georgia Southern, Jr., G/F
Keya Patton, Arkansas State, Sr., G
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Kennedy Taylor, Texas State, Gr., G
Brandi Williams, Louisiana, Sr., G
Janay Sanders, App State, R-Sr., G
Kiki Jefferson, James Madison, Sr., G
Melyia Grayson, Southern Miss, So., C
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Lanay Wheaton, Louisiana, So., G
Amari Young, Old Dominion, Sr., F
Lauryn Pendleton, Arkansas State, So., G
Jashanti Simmons, Troy, So., G
Faith Alston, App State, Jr., G
Women's Basketball Picked Second in Sun Belt Preseason Poll, Young Named to Third Team
